The Department of State Announces Diversity Visa Lottery Results for FY 2008
(07/22/08)

The winners of the 2008 Diversity Visa Lottery were registered and notified by the Kentucky Consular Center located in Williamsburg, Kentucky. This is the agency that conducts the annual selection of people who qualify for visas under the terms of Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. 50,000 permanent resident visas are issued to persons in countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. However, because nearly half will not complete the visa process, approximately 96,000 applicants are allowed to participate. Therefore, all 50,000 DV-2008 numbers are assured of being issued during the fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2007 to Sept. 30, 2008).

The luck winners are chosen in a random selection process from over 6.4 million qualified entries received during the 60-day application period from Oct. 4 to Dec. 3, 2006. The visas were divided among six geographic regions with a maximum of 7% available to people from any one country. To qualify, the applicant must have graduated from high school or the equivalent, or have two years of work experience at a job that required two years of training or experience within the past five years. Their application must be filled out completely and submitted before the deadline.
While each country is limited to 3,500 “winners”, the actual number is far greater. On November 30, 2007, the U.S. State Department reported the number of Lottery “Winners” for these countries:

• Bangladesh - 5,983
• Egypt – 4,392
• Ethiopia – 5,241
• Ghana – 5,914
• Morocco – 5,017
• Nigeria – 8,773
• Ukraine – 5,018

For those people who are living in the U.S. legally and want to apply for an I-485 (Adjustment of Status) they must contact the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to get the necessary information on requirements and procedures. Those who were selected, along with their spouse and children, must apply before Sept. 30, 2008 or they will not be eligible for a visa. The application deadline for the 2009 lottery ended on Dec. 2, 2007 and the results will be announced during the fall of this year.

For those who qualify for NACARA (Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act), you will be pleased to know that 5,000 of the lottery winners will come from these countries.
Because the Lottery “Winners” were allowed to bring their family members with them into the U.S., many of these “winners” did not receive Green Cards. That is why it is important for you to contact a knowledgeable immigration attorney about this or any other visa question.