New York Licensed Immigration Attorney For Diversity Visa Assistance
The Immigration Act of 1990 established the Diversity Visa (DV) Program, making 55,000 immigrant visas available in an annual lottery to allow those from countries with low immigration rates to the United States to submit an application for a chance to apply for a U.S. Immigrant Visa, which leads to a Lawful Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”).
What are the requirements to qualify for a Diversity Visa for the Principal Applicant?
1. Must have a Passport valid for DV entry purposes meaning it must be valid for international travel. Internal passports, issued by some countries, are not valid for DV entry purposes UNLESS you meet one of the exemptions stated below.
2. The principal Diversity Visa applicant must have a high school education with diploma, meaning successful completion of a formal course of elementary and secondary education comparable to a 12-year course in the United States.
3. If the principal Diversity Visa applicant does not have a high school diploma, they can still qualify IF they have two years of qualifying work experience within the last five years in an occupation which by U.S. Department of Labor definitions requires at least two years of training or experience designated as Job Zone 4 or 5, classified in a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) rating of 7.0 or higher.
(Only the principal applicant must meet these requirements. Principal Applicant’s spouse and children do not have to meet these requirements.)
If you do not have either the required education or qualifying work experience, you are NOT eligible for a diversity visa.
Exemptions from the Passport Requirement:
- Stateless Individuals: In general, statelessness is a rare situation. If you qualify to proceed without a Passport under this exemption you must provide evidence to establish that you did not acquire the nationality of your country of birth under the laws of that country and that you do not have any other nationality.
- Nationals of a Communist-controlled country: If you qualify to proceed without a Passport under this exemption you must provide evidence to establish that you are unable to obtain a passport from the government of your country of nationality.
- Beneficiaries of individual waivers: If you qualify to proceed without a Passport under this exemption you must provide evidence that you are unable to obtain a passport, and the reason you should receive an individual passport waiver, such as:
1) A previous U.S. visa issued to you on form DS-232 because you were unable to obtain a passport, and that the same reasons that you previously sought a passport waiver still apply;
2) Form I-193 approved by USCIS because you were unable to obtain a passport, and that the same reasons that you previously sought a passport waiver still apply; or
3) Documentation showing that you have been granted refugee status in a country other than your country of nationality because you have been persecuted by the government of your country of nationality, making it impossible for you to obtain a passport from that government without experiencing further harm.
The exemptions apply only to individuals who are unable to obtain a passport. A delay in obtaining a passport, whether or not that delay was/is within your control, do not qualify for an exemption and you may not be eligible for a diversity visa.
Do I qualify for a Diversity Visa?
The best way to find out if you qualify is to consult with an Immigration Attorney, using the form below you can contact Julianne and find out if you are eligible, and if you are what your next steps will be.
If you are interested in finding out of if you qualify for a Diversity Visa, please complete the following.
