Diversity Visa Lottery Results Available

The results of the U.S. Department of State (DOS) diversity visa (DV) lottery for fiscal year 2014 (FY14) are now available. The DV lottery is a DOS program that runs on an annual basis. Eligibility for participation is limited to people from designated countries with historically lower rates of immigration to the United States. To participate in the lottery, a foreign national must submit an application during a limited filing window. The DOS then holds a random lottery to determine which applicants can move forward to attempt to secure U.S. permanent residency. [More information on this process is available on MurthyDotCom in, 2014 Diversity Lottery Program from Oct 2, 2012.] How foreign nationals who applied for the FY14 DV lottery can find out whether they were selected is explained in this MurthyDotCom NewsBrief.

Check Results Online

The results of the FY14 DV lottery were made available online on May 2013. This information will remain available through September 30, 2014. Applicants must provide their application numbers and basic personal information to access their results. This online system is the only way to determine if one has been selected in the lottery. The DOS no longer sends any notification to applicants by mail.

Please note that only those who submit qualifying applications during the designated timeframe are eligible to be selected in the DV lottery. Foreign nationals must be wary of unauthorized communications from unscrupulous individuals claiming to be part of the DOS lottery program.

Winners Must Take Additional Steps

Selection in the DV lottery is only the first step toward obtaining permanent residence through this program. A winner of the DV lottery who resides abroad must follow DOS instructions to pursue an application for immigrant visa at the appropriate U.S. consulate. A DV lottery winner who is in the United States may be eligible to pursue adjustment of status (Form I-485) from within the United States in order to become a permanent resident.

The DV application process is very time sensitive, and there are more people selected in the lottery than there are visas allotted for the program. Therefore, once an individual has been selected, it is important to quickly and properly continue moving forward through the process, regardless of whether the individual will pursue the consular processing option or adjustment of status. Lottery winners may benefit from obtaining qualified immigration advice to determine their most appropriate course of action.

Conclusion

Winners of the DV lottery are a small, fortunate group of foreign nationals. Every year, the Murthy Law Firm receives inquiries and requests for assistance from some of the lucky winners. Given the stakes involved, it is important to be careful in the process to have the best chance of success. Attorneys at the Murthy Law Firm are available to assist those who been selected in the FY14 DV lottery.

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Disclaimer: The information provided here is of a general nature and may not apply to any specific or particular circumstance. It is not to be construed as legal advice nor presumed indefinitely up to date.