The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) or green card lottery is a program that makes up to 50,000 immigrant visas available annually to countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) administers the DV Program.
The 2019 program registration runs from noon on Oct. 3 through noon on Nov. 7.
Most lottery winners reside outside the United States and immigrate through consular processing and issuance of an immigrant visa.
Diversity Visa Winners Legally Residing In the United States: Apply Through USCIS
There are, however, a small number of lottery winners each year who, at the time of “winning the lottery,” are residing in the United States in a nonimmigrant or other legal status. For these winners residing inside the United States, USCIS processes adjustment of status applications. The following information applies to winners legally residing in the United States only:
Eligibility Criteria
For an applicant to adjust status under the DV Program, you must establish that you:
- Have been selected for a diversity visa by DOS’s lottery;
- Have an immigrant visa immediately available at the time of filing an adjustment application (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status); and
- Are admissible to the United States.
