Embassy of the United States Sri Lanka & Maldives

Instructions for the Diversity Visa Lottery Program 2013

Diversity Visa Program allows people born in certain countries to migrate to the United States legally. Many winners from Sri Lanka migrate to the United States every year.  

Diversity Visa Scammers Sending Fraudulent Emails and Letters

The Department of State, Office of Visa Services, advises the public of a notable increase in fraudulent emails and letters sent to Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) program (Visa Lottery) applicants. The scammers behind these fraudulent emails and letters are posing as the U.S. government in an attempt to extract payment from DV applicants. All applicants should be familiar with information about DV scams provided by the Federal Trade Commission. Also review the procedures for the DV program provided below, so that you know what to expect, when to expect it, and from whom.

Finally, remember that all Diversity Visa applicants must check their status online, and will not receive a notification letter from the U.S. government. DV Entry Status Check will only be provided through the Department of State secure online site, http://www.dvlottery.state.gov. 

For further information on the Diversity Visa Program, please visit the State Department's Website.  

DV 2013 Program: Entrants in the Diversity Visa 2013 program may check the status of their entries through Entrant Status Check on the E-DV website beginning on May 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013. Please remember to keep your confirmation until September 30, 2013, since more DV 2013 entrants may be selected on October 1, 2012. Review more about Entrant Status Check.

Diversity Visa Program Notification

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program issues up to 50,000 diversity visas (DV) annually, drawn from a random selection among all entries, to people who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.  For complete information on the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, http://travel.state.gov/pdf/1318-DV2012Instructions-ENGL.pdf (PDF 174.5 KB)

Diversity Visa Qualification Requirements

• To enter the Diversity Visa Program, you must be a native of one of the qualifying countries (PDF 250KB).  Sri Lanka and the Maldives are qualifying countries. 
• You must have either a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful completion of a 12-year course of elementary and secondary education (successful completion of 6 GCE O-level subjects, including math and Tamil or Sinhala), OR have two years of qualifying work experience.  See whether your occupation qualifies  http://online.onetcenter.org/find/
• You must meet all immigrant visa eligibility requirements under U.S. law. 

Diversity Visa Program Requirements

• Entries can only be made during the registration period.
• All entries by an individual will be disqualified if more than one entry is received for that individual.
• Entries must be made online; paper entries will not be accepted.
• All information requested on the online entry form must be provided, and must be accurate.
• If you are married or have children at the time of your entry, you must list these individuals on your application. 
• All required photographs must be submitted for all applicants, and must conform to DV program specifications (PDF 298.2KB).
• Photographs must be recent -- all applicants must be easily recognizable. 
• Photographs may not be digitally manipulated in any way.
• You must submit a valid e-mail address on your application form.

Diversity Visa Program Notification

A computer will randomly select individuals from among all qualified entries.  Starting May 1, 2011 DV-2013 applicants will be able to check the status of their application via the Entry Status Check online.  Selected program entrants will not be notified by e-mail or postal mail.  DV-2013 program entrants who are not selected for diversity visas will not be contacted.  Applicants may check the status of their entry online http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ESC/

Diversity Visa Program Fees

Selected program entrants will be provided further instructions, including information on fees associated with immigration to the U.S.  The Diversity Visa application fee is currently $330 (Rs.44,600) per person.  The application fee is the only fee required and it is to be paid to the U.S. Embassy at the time of the visa interview. This is the only fee for the Diversity Visa Program.