Diversity Immigrant Visa

Diversity Immigrant Visa
Name	Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
Formed	1990
Jurisdiction	United States
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Parent department	United States Department of State
Parent agency	Bureau of Consular Affairs

Diversity Immigrant Visa. The Diversity Immigrant Visa program is a congressionally mandated lottery administered by the United States Department of State to provide a pathway to lawful permanent residence for individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. Established by the Immigration Act of 1990, the program aims to diversify the immigrant population in the United States by allocating up to 55,000 visas annually through a randomized computer drawing. Commonly known as the "green card lottery," it represents a distinct channel within the broader U.S. immigration system, separate from family-based or employment-based visas.

Overview

The program operates under the authority of the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended, with its administration falling to the Bureau of Consular Affairs within the United States Department of State. Each fiscal year, a maximum of 55,000 immigrant visas are made available through this mechanism, though actual numbers can be lower due to legislative provisions. The Secretary of State is responsible for conducting the lottery and determining which countries are eligible based on complex formulas that consider immigration data from the previous five years. Notably, natives of countries that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the prior period through family and employment channels are excluded from participation, making the program inaccessible to individuals from nations like Mexico, China, India, and the United Kingdom.

Eligibility and requirements

To submit an entry, an individual must be a native of an eligible country, as defined by the United States Department of State, and meet either a work or education requirement. The education mandate stipulates the applicant must have completed a secondary school education or its equivalent, as formally defined within the Immigration and Nationality Act. Alternatively, within the past five years, the applicant must have two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience, as classified by the United States Department of Labor's O*NET database. All selected entrants and their derivative family members must also be admissible to the United States under U.S. immigration law, meaning they must pass rigorous checks conducted by a consular officer at a United States embassy or consulate for issues related to health, criminal history, or security.

Application process

Entries are submitted electronically during a limited registration period announced each year by the Bureau of Consular Affairs. The process is free, and applicants must provide biographical information including name, date of birth, gender, city of birth, and a recent photograph that meets specific technical standards. Each applicant can submit only one entry per year; duplicate entries result in disqualification. After the registration window closes, the Kentucky Consular Center in Williamsburg, Kentucky, uses specialized software to randomly select entries. Applicants must then check their status online using a unique confirmation number; the United States Department of State does not notify winners by email or letter, a fact emphasized to combat widespread fraudulent schemes.

Selection and lottery

The computerized random selection drawing is designed to choose winners purely by chance, with no weighting for any demographic characteristics. The selection is made from among all qualified entries, and because more individuals are selected than there are visas available, successful entrants are assigned a rank order number. Visa interviews are scheduled based on this number, following the chronological order of selection and subject to the regional visa limits set by the United States Congress. The entire process, from selection to the final visa interview at a post like the U.S. Embassy, London or U.S. Embassy, Nairobi, is managed through the Consular Consolidated Database to ensure integrity and security.

History and legislative background

The program's origins trace to the Immigration Act of 1990, a major piece of legislation signed by President George H. W. Bush that overhauled the U.S. immigration system. The concept was partly inspired by earlier efforts, such as the NP-5 visa program established by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. The legislative intent, as debated in the United States Congress and supported by lawmakers like the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, was to correct perceived imbalances and provide opportunities for nationals from underrepresented regions, particularly Africa and Eastern Europe. Its authorization is subject to annual approval through the appropriations process managed by committees like the United States House Committee on Appropriations.

Impact and statistics

Since its inception, the program has significantly altered immigration patterns, granting hundreds of thousands of visas. According to annual reports from the United States Department of State and analyses by the Migration Policy Institute, regions such as Africa and parts of Asia have seen substantial beneficiary numbers. For instance, in recent years, countries like Egypt, Iran, and Ukraine have been among the top source nations. The program has faced political scrutiny, with periodic legislative attempts for its abolition, including proposals from members of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. Proponents, including organizations like the Cato Institute, argue it is a unique and equitable component of American immigration policy, while critics cite concerns about fraud and security, often referencing incidents like the 2017 New York City truck attack.

Category:Immigration to the United States Category:United States federal immigration and nationality legislation Category:Visa policy of the United States