Update: Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery Program 2011

Department of State reports that entries are up 63% for the DV 2011 Program from last year. Applicants from around the world have submitted over 900,000 entries in just the first week. The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is open to persons meeting simple, but strict, eligibility requirements. Nationals of countries sending more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States over the period of the past five years are not eligible. Additionally, the law requires that every entrant must have at least a high school education, or qualifying work experience.

Winners of the lottery will receive notification of their selection via mail between May and July, 2010, and will be permitted to commence the Immigrant Visa application process in October 2010. The deadline for visa issuance is September 30, 2011.

There is no fee to enter DV- 2011. Successful entrants, however, will be required to pay all applicable application fees and costs, including those for medical examinations, for themselves and qualifying immediate relatives.

Enter today, the lottery closes on November 30, 2009.

Source: Consular Affairs, Department of State