US embassy invites applications for 2016 Diversity Visa lottery

AMMAN — The US embassy on Tuesday said that applications for the 2016 Diversity Visa (DV) lottery will be accepted online from noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (1600 GMT) on October 1 to noon EDT on November 3.

The annual DV programme “makes US immigrant visas available through a computer-generated random lottery for persons who meet strict eligibility requirements”, an embassy statement said.

The US Department of State will only accept completed Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) Entry Forms submitted electronically at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period, according to the statement.  

“Paper entries will no longer be accepted.  No fee is charged for entry in the annual DV programme,” the embassy added, noting that the US government does not employ “outside consultants or private services” to operate the programme.  

“Any intermediaries or others who offer assistance to prepare DV entries do so without the authority or consent of the US government.  Use of any outside intermediary or assistance to prepare a DV entry is entirely at the entrant’s discretion.”

The embassy also warned of fraudulent e-mails stating that the recipient has won the lottery and must pay a processing fee by wire or credit card.  

“Even though they may appear to use US government logos and imagery, these e-mails are fraudulent. Successful DV entrants pay fees in person at the US embassy at the day of their interview, and not at any other time,” the statement said.

Successfully registered entries at www.dvlottery.state.gov will result in the display of a confirmation screen containing the applicant’s name and confirmation number.  

Each entrant should print this information and use it on the confirmation screen webpage to check the status of his/her own entry through the Entrant Status Check (ESC) available at same website.  

“Only those entrants who keep their confirmation information will be able to check their entrant status and, if selected, receive application instructions and notification of their interview appointment,” the embassy said.

All entrants, including those not selected, will be able to check the status of their entry through the E-DV website starting May 5, 2015.  

The embassy said it will not be able to provide a list of successful entrants, stressing that all entrants should keep their confirmation number, regardless of whether they are successful, until June 30, 2016.  

“DV-2016 visas will be issued between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016,” the statement added.

Regardless of whether an entry is submitted by the individual directly or assistance is provided someone else, only one entry may be submitted in the name of each individual, and the person entering DV-2016 remains responsible for ensuring that the information is correct and complete.  

Submission of more than one entry for the same person will disqualify the applicant.

To receive a DV to immigrate to the US, those chosen in the random drawing must meet all eligibility requirements under US law.

“Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all application information, including digital photographs, early in the one-month registration period,” the embassy said, adding that heavy demand may result in website delays.  

Those interested can visit the Diversity Visa Lottery website at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ for authoritative information and answers to frequently asked questions.