By: Dr. Nelson A. Castillo Updated 12 May 2022, 17: 50 pm EDT
Each case is different and the answers vary according to the migratory history of each person.
Here I respond in a general way to your Doubts. Please consult an immigration attorney to receive personalized legal advice before starting any process.
Last year I I signed up for the visa lottery draw 2023. How can I find out the results of the lottery and what should I do if I have been selected for a visa? David B.
David, the lottery results have been published for the Diversity Visa Program for the fiscal year 2023. The United States Department of State website has all the necessary information.
Where can I find the results of the visa lottery 2023?
Visit the “DV Entrant Status Check” web page to determine if you are a lottery winner. Follow the instructions by clicking the “Continue” button.
To see if you were chosen, you will need the following information:
- You were issued a confirmation number by the Department of State when you submitted your application.
- Your last name as it appears on your visa lottery application.
- The year you were born.
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The results for the fiscal year 2023 will only be available until 30 September 2022 on the “DV Entrant Status Check” web page.
What should you do if you are selected?
If you were selected and meet the requirements, you must apply for and acquire a diversity visa before the end of the fiscal year 2023 (from October 1st from 2022 to 30 September 2023). Visa lottery benefits cannot be carried over to the following year. No exceptions.
You you may lose your diversity visa eligibility if you do not complete the visa lottery requirements within the stipulated time.
They will start processing your case after you have completed all the steps on the “DV Entrant Status Check” webpage. You must first apply for your diversity visa in writing, after which you will be interviewed by a federal government representative.
If you live outside the United States, you will be notified of the deadline for your application. visa interview at the consulate or embassy of the United States in your country of origin.
You will be summoned to a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office if you plan to apply for a diversity visa within the United States.
Additional information for people who won the visa lottery 2022
- Check that you have entered the visa lottery correctly. Many people who are not eligible for the visa lottery enter the lottery, only to be rejected.
- Winning the visa lottery does not guarantees the approval of permanent residence. To be eligible for a diversity visa, you must meet all of the standards set forth by United States immigration law. Being admissible to the country is one of those requirements.
- Persons who are currently or have been in the United States undocumented, have criminal records, or have been arrested for violations of immigration law should consult with an immigration attorney to ensure that they meet all requirements and are eligible to apply for a diversity visa.
- If you are not eligible for a diversity visa, do not apply . It is a waste of time and money because the federal government does not refund the application fee if the applicant is not eligible.
The confirmation number has 16 alphanumeric characters); the first four characters represent the year of the program. For example, 20231Y8DZWY3DKV9.
20231
If you cannot find your confirmation number, go to the “Verify Entrant” website. Enter your first and last name, date of birth and the email address you used to enter the lottery to validate your identity.
People who do not have the required education or work experience, are not citizens of a lottery-qualified country, or do not include their spouse when married, for example, they may not be eligible to participate in the visa lottery.
If the federal government determines that someone did not follow the program enrollment guidelines or was ineligible but won the lottery, their application will be disqualified and the diversity visa will not be processed.
David, Before starting any immigration process, consult an immigration attorney licensed in the United States for proper advice.
For more information and immigration tips, visit my Immigration Today® website.
Send your questions to questions@consultamigratoria .com. Include detailed information about your situation to better answer your questions.
This column was originally published on Immigration Today® and is reproduced with permission.
Dr. Nelson A. Castillo is an immigration attorney and the author of The Green Card: How to Obtain Permanent Residence in the United States. He is past President of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Westlake South Los Angeles Neighborhood Council. For information on how to consult with Dr. Castillo, click here.
The purpose of this column is to provide general information. The outcome of the information presented by Dr. Nelson A. Castillo cannot be guaranteed or predicted. The information should not be taken as legal advice for any individual, case or situation. This column could be considered an advertisement for the Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys in various states, including California and New York. Consult an immigration attorney to receive personalized legal advice before beginning any immigration process.