2007 Press Releases Archive

U.S. Launches Diversity Immigrant Visa Program for 2009

Press Release
October 1, 2007

The U.S. Department of State announces the launching of the Diversity Visa lottery program for 2009, starting October 3, 2007 until December 2, 2007.  This program is also commonly called the “Green Card Lottery.”  The DV-2009 lottery will be conducted entirely by electronic means and, as every year, this lottery is free of charge for interested applicants. 

Applicants from eligible countries petition the Department of State for the opportunity to apply for one of the 50,000 immigrant visas made available annually.  Only those selected at random and notified by the U.S. Department of State will then be eligible to apply for an immigrant visa to the United States.  Each year, approximately 6 million people worldwide register to participate in the program.  Persons who wish to apply for the diversity visa lottery should go to www.dvlottery.state.gov where they will find the standard petition form.  The form must be filled out and sent electronically.  Applicants must also include digital photographs.

The U.S. Department of State will only accept completed Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Forms (applications) submitted electronically at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period that begins at 12:00 p.m., (Washington time), Wednesday October 3, 2007 until 12:00 p.m. (Washington time) Sunday, December 2, 2007.  Paper applications will not be accepted.  The information is available on the Embassy’s web site: http://moldova.usembassy.gov  

The Diversity Visa program was established by the United States Congress in 1990 to ensure that people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States would have a chance to immigrate and achieve the American dream.

Important note:  The Embassy does not provide any consultations on the DV program, and does not provide any information about the DV program by phone or through the mail.  No fee is charged to enter the annual DV program.  The U.S. Government employs no outside consultants or private mail services to operate the DV program.  Any intermediaries who offer assistance to prepare DV casework for applicants do so without the authority or consent of the U.S. Government.