Increase in the Entries for DV-2011 Program

The Diversity Visa Program (DV) is an annual lotteryperiod. The DOS expects to receive nearly
program for issuing US permanent resident card,13,000,000 entries for the DV-2011 Program.
which is conducted by the Department of State. ThisNatives from certain nations are not eligible for
lottery program selects 55,000 immigrants randomlyimmigration to the US through the Diversity Visa
from applications sent from applicants belonging toProgram. This is because more than 50,000 persons
eligible nations. The Diversity Visa Program ishave immigrated to the USA in the past five years
conducted under the terms of the Immigration andfrom those countries. Applicants from Brazil, Canada,
Nationality Act and meets the strict requirements ofChina (Mainland-Born), Colombia, Dominican Republic,
USA Immigration laws. The DOS grants permanentEcuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica,
resident visas to applicants from countries, whichMexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, South
have low immigration rates to the USA.Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and
This year, the DV-2011 Program was declared openits dependent territories, and Vietnam are ineligible for
on October 2. Entries were invited from applicantsthe DV program.
who belong to nations that are eligible for this lottery.Applicants who immigrate to the USA though the
The last date for submission of entries wasDiversity Visa Program are called “diversity
November 30. There was a dramatic increase in theimmigrants.” These applicants should have
number of entries this year, when compared to thecompleted at least a high school diploma or an
last year. Over 900,000 applications were received inequivalent. Else, they should have work experience of
the very first week of registration, a significant 63%two years in an occupation that requires at least two
increase from last year’s entries in the sameyears of training.