The State Department will open registration for the Diversity Visa 2024 lottery Wednesday, Oct. 5. Up to 55,000 diversity immigrant visas will be available to nationals of countries with historically low immigration to the U.S.

Key Points:

  • Registration begins Oct. 5, at noon EDT and closes Nov. 8 at noon EST.
  • Applicants must register online by submitting the diversity visa entry form that will be available at the State Department’s e-DV website. Paper applications are not accepted. Entries are limited to one per person and multiple entries will render the entrant ineligible.
  • Lottery winners will be selected at random. Registrants will be given a confirmation number that they may use to check whether they have been selected starting May 6, 2023, on the E-DV website.
  • This year, individuals born in the following countries are ineligible: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong), Colombia,  the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, the U.K. (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, Venezuela and Vietnam. Those born in Macau and Taiwan are eligible.
  • The State Department’s complete instructions are available here.

BAL Analysis: The State Department urges applicants not to wait until the final week to register because heavy demand may cause website delays. Individuals should also be aware of scams that frequently target DV lottery registrants. Individuals are reminded that the registration process is free and that the only way to enter the lottery and obtain lottery results is via the State Department’s E-DV website.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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