DV FACT SHEET
1. REGISTRATION PERIOS
The official lottery site is www.dvlottery.state.gov.
The registration period for the 2018 Diversity Lottery begins October 4, 2016 at 12:00PM
Eastern Standard Time (EST) and extends until 12:00PM EST on November 7, 2016.
2. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST
Please read the instructions carefully before entering the DV Lottery.
3. THE LOTTERY IS FREE
There are no fees associated with entering the Diversity Visa Lottery.
4. AVOID ERRORS ON THE REGISTRATION FORM
Please ensure that all the information on the registration form is correct and that each photo
corresponds with the name and date of birth of the person who enters.
For the 2018 registration period, all photos must have been taken in the past 6 months. If a
photo was used in previous years, the entry will be automatically disqualified. Furthermore, it is
now not allowable to wear eye glasses in your DV registration photo. All entries in which the
applicant wears eyeglasses will be automatically disqualified.
We encourage you to enter the DV lottery without the aid of a “Visa Consultant” or any other
person who offers to register on your behalf.
If you use the services of a third party to assist you in filling out your entry, you should be
present while they enter on your behalf to ensure all the information submitted is correct.
5. DO NOT GET SCAMMED BY A CYBER CAFÉ OR VISA FACILITATOR
Please ensure you keep your confirmation number safe and do not allow a third party to have
access to your number. We have received many complaints from applicants who have been
scammed by cyber cafés or “visa consultants” with access to applicants’ confirmation numbers.
No cyber café or visa facilitator works in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa.
6. WINNING THE LOTTERY DOES NOT GUARANTEE VISA ISSUANCE
It’s important to remember that winning the lottery does not guarantee visa issuance. To obtain
your visa to immigrate to the United States, you must comply with all the eligibility criteria set
forth in U.S. immigration law.
7. TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES IS NOT COVERED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
The United States government does not provide financial support to any DV lottery winner. If
you obtain your visa through the DV lottery, all costs associated with travel to the United States
will be at your expense. The U.S. government does not commit to paying your plane ticket,
finding you a residence, or finding you employment in the United States.
8. YOUR DV LOTTERY QUESTIONS
You can send us your questions at the following email address: DVKinshasa@state.gov
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. WHAT IS THE DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY ?
As a nation of immigrants, the United States welcomes thousands of new immigrants from
across the world each year. The DV Lottery is one way by which the United States increases the
level of diversity among the population, particularly those who come from countries having a
historically low rate of immigration to the United States.
2. HOW DO I ENTER THE LOTTERY?
Those interested in entering the DV 2018 Lottery should first go to www.dvlottery.state.gov.
This is the official website for entering the lottery and where one can read all of the rules and
regulations for entering the lottery (even in French). After reading the rules and regulations, an
applicant should determine if they meet all of the necessary requirements to qualify for the
lottery. Applicants should then fill out the application form along with submitting recent photos
of each applicant. Please note: all photos must be taken within the last 6 months and any photo
previously used will be automatically disqualified. Also, glasses cannot be worn in any photo.
Any photo with glasses will also be automatically disqualified.
All entries must include all members of your immediate family including your spouse if you are
married and all of your children less than 21 years old.
Even if your child does not currently live with you, you MUST make them a part of your entry,
otherwise your entry will be disqualified.
The entries selected will be notified on May 2, 2017. On this date, you can go to
www.dvselectee.state.gov to find out if your entry was selected. If you are selected you will be
given further instructions on how to proceed with your appointment. We anticipate that
appointments will begin October 2017 and will go through September 2018.
3. WHEN WILL THE PROGRAM BE DISCONTINUED?
Currently, there are no plans to discontinue the lottery program.
4. HOW IS AN ENTRY DISQUALIFIED?
We understand that there are many rules to the lottery. That is why it is very important for you
to read and well understand all of the rules associated with entering the DV Lottery. Some of the
most common disqualifications for entries are:
Not entering with all of your family members (e.g., your spouse and all of your
legal and biological children under 21)
Not having the equivalent of a high school education (not having passed
l’Examen d’Etat) or the equivalent work experience
Not being able to prove that you will be able to support yourself or your family
financially in the United States
Wearing glasses in your entry photo will automatically disqualify you
Using the same photo as a past entry will automatically disqualify you
Changes in your biographical information between your entry and when you
interview (e.g., your name, place of birth, date of birth)
Submitting fake documents (e.g., fake marriage certificates, fake adoption
judgments, fake diplomas or attestations)
5. WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LOTTERY?
There is no minimum age to apply, but the requirement of a high school education or work
experience for each principal applicant at the time of application will effectively disqualify most
persons who are under age 18.
6. IF I’M SELECTED, HOW MUCH DOES THE PROGRAM COST?
If you are selected there will be costs associated with your interview process including:
Interview Fees: $330/person- remember this fee is NOT refundable
Fees associated with medical exams for you and your family
Fees associated with obtaining passports (if you do not have one)
Fees associated with obtaining any documents necessary for your interview
DV applicants must pay all application fees and costs, including those for medical examinations,
for themselves and qualifying family members. Visa applicants under the DV program also must
prove that they will be able to support themselves in the United States. Immigration under the
DV program does not entitle the immigrant or family members to any financial or settlement
assistance in the United States.
7. DOES THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TAKE CARE OF WINNERS FINANCIALLY ONCE THEY ENTER THE
UNITED STATES?
No. The DV Lottery is your opportunity to immigrate to the United States. The U.S. government
will not provide any services to you if you receive a visa through the DV program. If you are
selected to apply for a DV, you must demonstrate during your interview that you will not
become a public charge in the United States. This evidence may be in the form of a combination
of your personal assets, an Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) submitted by a relative or friend
residing in the United States, an offer of employment from an employer in the United States, or
other evidence.
8. HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE FACT THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN ABOUT TO OBTAIN
THEIR VISAS BECAUSE THE EMBASSY MADE THE EXPIRATION OF THEIR DOSSIER THIRTY DAYS
INSTEAD OF SPETEMBER 30TH?
We strongly encourage you to come prepared to your DV interview with all of your necessary
documents. Being randomly chosen as a selectee does not guarantee that you will receive a visa.
Selection merely means that you are eligible to apply for a Diversity Visa. If your rank number
becomes eligible for final processing, you potentially may be issued a Diversity Visa. Only
50,000 visas will be issued to such applicants.
9. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE PERSON AT THE CYBER CAFÉ ADDS SOMEONE TO MY DOSSIER?
If you enter at a cyber café, you must make sure that you control your account. NEVER let
someone else, particularly cyber café operators, have access to your DV account. If someone is
added to your entry without your knowledge or consent, please contact [email protected]ov.
If a cyber café owner tries to add someone to your entry or tells you that you have to marry
someone who was added to your entry in order for you to get access to your account or your
interview date, please, email DVKinshasa@state.gov
However, this is your entry and your account and you are ultimately responsible for what
happens to your entry, even if someone else plays or enters the lottery for you.
10. HOW MANY COUNTRIED ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE DV LOTTERY THIS YEAR?
Well over 150 countries are eligible for the DV Lottery this year.
11. IS THERE A QUOTA RESERVED FOR EACH COUNTRY ?
Yes, the number of entries allotted to each county varies depending on population size and
immigration rate to the United States.
12. WHAT ARE THE BEST STRATEGIES FOR BEING SELECTED?
Entries are selected completely at random by a computer. There is no strategy to being selected.
If you enter the lottery more than once, you will be disqualified. However, if you are a family or
are married, each spouse can enter separately. Just be sure you enter with your spouse and
children if you have them!
13. IS IT EASY TO FIND EMPLOYMENT IN THE UNITED STATES?
Immigrating to the United Sates and assimilating into American society can be difficult if you do
not speak English or have any friends or family to assist you upon your arrival. However, this is
your opportunity to permanently live in the United States and many, many people have
succeeded in making a very good life for themselves in the US after winning the DV Lottery and
immigrating to the United States.
14. WHAT ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES DOES THE EMBASSY NEED TO DO BEFORE APPROVING
THE VISA?
It is sometimes necessary for the Embassy to verify documents submitted by an applicant with
the appropriate authorities (e.g., diplome d’etat, attestation de reussite, adoption judgement).
15. WHAT TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT CAN I USE TO QUALIFY FOR THE LOTTERY IF I DON’T MEET THE
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS?
The Department of State will use the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) O*Net OnLine database
to determine qualifying work experience. The O*Net OnLine database categorizes job
experience into five “job zones.” While the DOL website lists many occupations, not all
occupations qualify for the DV program. To qualify for a DV on the basis of your work
experience, you must have, within the past five years, two years of experience in an occupation
classified in a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) range of 7.0 or higher.
If you do not meet the requirements for education or work experience, your entry will be
disqualified at the time of your visa interview, and no visas will be issued to you or any of your
family members. If you have questions about qualifying for the DV through work experience,
please send an email to DVKinhsasa@state.gov.
16. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I LOST MY CONFIRMATION NUMBER? IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO
VERIFY IF I WON?
You must have your confirmation number to access Entrant Status Check. A tool is now
available in Entrant Status Check (ESC) on the E-DV website that will allow you to retrieve your
confirmation number via the email address with which you registered by entering certain
personal information to confirm your identity.
U.S. embassies and consulates and the Kentucky Consular Center are unable to check your
selection status for you or provide your confirmation number to you directly (other than
through the Entrant Status Check retrieval tool). The Department of State is NOT able to
provide a list of those selected to continue the visa process.
17. MANY PEOPLE ARE VICITMS OF CYBER CAFÉ FRAUD. WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO DEAL
WITH THIS?
We encourage you to prepare and submit your own entry, but you may have someone submit
the entry for you. Regardless of whether you submit your own entry, or an attorney, friend,
relative, or someone else submits it on your behalf, only one entry may be submitted in your
name. You, as the entrant, are responsible for ensuring that information in the entry is correct
and complete; entries that are not correct or complete may be disqualified. Entrants should
keep their own confirmation number so that they are able to independently check the status of
their entry using Entrant Status Check at dvlottery.state.gov. Entrants should retain access to
the email account used in the E-DV submission.
The confirmation number is the only way to check whether an entry has been selected and to
obtain visa application and appointment information, if selected. The unique confirmation
number helps to protect DV entrants against fraud, malfeasance, and problems with the mail.
Unscrupulous visa facilitators have been known to assist entrants with their entries, retain the
confirmation page, and then demand more money in exchange for information on the entry.
Entrants can avoid this by ensuring they receive the unique confirmation number at the time of
entry.
18. MANY PEOPLE ENTER INTO FAKE MARRIAGES IN ORDER TO IMMIGRATE TO THE UNITED STATES.
WHAT ARE THE MEASURES THE EMBASSY HAS PUT IN PLACE TO COUNTER THIS FRAUD?
The Embassy is aware that applicants may enter into fake marriages (des marriages blancs) in
order to obtain an immigration benefit. During your interview, it will be your responsibility to
prove to the consular officer that you are in a bona fide relationship and not a fake marriage. If
the consular officer is not convinced, your visa will not be granted and you may be found
ineligible for any type of visa (e.g., tourist visa) in the future.
19. DOES THE EMBASSY REQUIRE SOMEONE IN THE U.S. TO AGREE TO FINANCIALLY SPONSOR EACH
DV LOTTERY WINNER?
A U.S. based financial sponsor is not a requirement. However, if you are selected to apply for a
DV, you must demonstrate that you will not become a public charge in the United States before
being issued a visa. This evidence may be in the form of a combination of your personal assets,
an Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) submitted by a relative or friend residing in the United
States, an offer of employment from an employer in the United States, or other evidence.
20. IF A PERSON ENTERS THE DV LOTTERY AND IS NOT SELECTED, ARE THEY ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR
A TOURIST VISA TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES?
Everyone is welcome to apply for a non-immigrant visa even if they have entered the DV
Lottery. For non-immigrant visa applications, please go to https://ais.usvisa-info.com/fr-cd/niv
21. WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD IS OVER THE AGE OF 21 WHEN I WIN THE LOTTERY?
Due to US immigration laws, it is possible that children close to the age of 21 at the time of
entering the lottery may not be qualified for a visa by the time the family interviews at the
Embassy. In essence, approximately 7 months will be subtracted from the child’s age on “the
date the visa becomes available” to the selected DV winner. The date a visa becomes available
for a DV case is the first day in which the DV winner’s selection number is current for visa
processing. If the child is over 21 after this calculation, the child will not qualify for a visa.
