The Department of State has just published official guidelines for the
205 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-2015). This congressionally
mandated program provides up to 50,000 diversity visas to applicants
from countries with minimal presence in the United States. Applicants
selected in this free lottery are required to meet simple, strict
eligibility requirements. Applicants are chosen via a randomized
computer drawing.
Natives from the following countries are not eligible to apply for the
DV-2015 program because over 50,000 natives of these countries
immigrated to the United States in the previous five years:
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. ?People
born in Hong Kong Sar, Macau Sar and Taiwan are eligible.?