The 2016 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2016) will open at noon October 1, 2014, and will close at noon November 3, 2014. All applicants must submit electronic entries during the registration period using the electronic DV lottery form available at dvlottery.state.gov. Paper entries will not be accepted. Program eligibility guidelines are available at the online site.
Each year the DV program makes 50,000 immigrant visas available to natives of six geographic regions. Natives from all but the following countries can participate in the visa lottery: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories and Vietnam. Winners are selected randomly.
Beginning May 5, 2015, DV-2016 entrants can use their confirmation number provided at registration to check online through Entry Status Check at dvlottery.state.gov to see if their entry was selected. DV lottery winners will receive instructions for how to apply for immigrant visas.
