Immigration Law Update

October 2021 – Special Edition

2023 Diversity Visa Lottery Opens Oct. 6 at Noon

The Department of State (DOS) announced that the online registration period for the 2023 Diversity Visa (DV) Program begins on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 12:00pm EST and concludes on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at 12:00pm EST.

DOS administers this program each year for a class of immigrants called “diversity immigrants” from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. This year, up to 55,000 DVs will be available. Registration for the program is free. Those selected are chosen by DOS through a randomized computer program. DOS distributes diversity visas among six geographic regions, and no single country receives more than 7% of the available DVs.

The list of eligible countries can be found in the DV-2023 Instructions on DOS’s website. Natives of the following countries are not able to apply: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

If you are not a native of a qualifying country, you may qualify if your spouse is a native of a qualifying country or if one of your parents was born in a qualifying country. DV applicants must either have at least a high school education or its equivalent or two years of work experience in the last five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.

Entries must be submitted through DOS’s online portal. Individuals who submit more than one entry during the registration period will be disqualified.

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If you have questions or would like to learn more about the items discussed above or other immigration topics, please contact Karen Moss or Brad Ortman of the Immigration Law Group at Nicola, Gudbranson & Cooper via email or at (216) 621-7227.

Bradley L. Ortman and Karen Gabriel Moss
Nicola, Gudbranson & Cooper LLC

_{This Immigration Law Update contains general information that should not be considered legal advice or legal opinion concerning individual situations. Legal counsel should be consulted for specific advice.}