2011 Diversity Visa Lottery Program Registration

Registration for 2011 Diversity Visa Lottery Program has begun. This congressionally mandated program is ran annually by the Department of State and is regulated by INA § 203 (c). The Diversity Visa Lottery Program makes available 55,000 immigrant visas for nationals of countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Paper entries are not accepted. The registration period is open between Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Friday, October 2, 2009 and noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5), Monday, November 30, 2009. No entries will be accepted after noon EST on November 30, 2009.

For DV-2011, natives of the following countries are not eligible to apply because the countries have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the previous five years:

• Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El  Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland), and its dependent territories, and Vietnam.
• Note: Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible.

All other foreign nationals are eligible for the 2011 Diversity Visa Lottery Program. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Source: Department of State, Diversity Visa Lottery