The Department of State has released details for the 2018 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-2018), more commonly known as the “green card lottery.”  The electronic entry/registration window is open between noon (EST) on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 and noon (EST) on Monday, November 7, 2016.

Eligibility to enter the lottery is based primarily on country of birth. People born in the following countries – which are deemed to be already well represented in the U.S. – are not eligible to enter: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan are eligible to enter. Even if an individual is born in one of the excluded countries, s/he may still be eligible to enter based on his/her spouse’s country of birth.  In some circumstances, s/he can also enter based on his/her parents’ country of birth. In addition, there are minimum education/work experience requirements in order to register.

To enter the lottery, go to the following link: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/diversity-visa/entry.html.

Entering the lottery is free, but be very careful to read all the specific requirements, directions and guidelines — each year thousands of applicants are disqualified for failing to follow the correct registration procedures. For detailed instructions, go to the following link: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Diversity-Visa/DV-Instructions-Translations/DV-2018%20Instructions/DV-2018%20Instructions%20English.pdf.

Please also be aware that “winning” the lottery does not guarantee a green card. If successful, all winners must then wait for their allotted number to become available and then submit a full green card application, including evidence of their background, qualifications and eligibility. We therefore strongly recommend that winners retain legal counsel to help navigate the complex process to apply for a green card.

Good luck to all who dare to take a shot at the American dream!