DV-2000 Visa Lottery Application Rules Announced
Posted Aug 19, 1998

In early August 1998, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced the next visa lottery application period which has been set for October 1 to 31, 1998. Those who are selected through the lottery program will then be able to apply for visas during fiscal year 2000, beginning October 1, 1999.

The application procedures are similar to those in prior years. Countries which sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the past five years are not eligible to participate in the Diversity Visa Program. No one country can receive more than 3,500 diversity visas in any one year.

For DV-2000, natives of the following are NOT ELIGIBLE to apply:

CANADA

CHINA (mainland and Taiwan, except Hong Kong S.A.R.)

COLOMBIA

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

EL SALVADOR

HAITI

INDIA

JAMAICA

MEXICO

PHILIPPINES

POLAND

SOUTH KOREA

UNITED KINGDOM (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories

VIETNAM

The most common mistakes are people forgetting to sign the application forms or attach their photographs. Any such flaw will automatically debar the application.

Those who wish to engage the Law Office of Sheela Murthy to file lottery applications should advise us no later than September 18, 1998, in order to provide us sufficient time to ensure compliance of all details and to submit an accurate and timely application. Please send us an e-mail at law@murthy.com or call us at 410-356-5440.