The U.S. Embassy Colombo is pleased to announce that the 2016 Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery Program, also known as the “Green Card” Lottery, started accepting on-line applications from Sri Lankan and Maldivian citizens on October 1, 2014, exclusively at www.dvlottery.state.gov.  The Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery allows randomly selected applicants who qualify for the program the opportunity to interview for an immigrant visa, and if selected, become legal permanent residents of the United States.

A few suggestions to keep in mind:

• The online Diversity Visa system will be open for applications beginning noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on October 1, 2014, and ending at noon Eastern Standard Time (EST) on November 3, 2014.  That means that it opens in Sri Lanka on October 1 at 9:30 pm (21:30) and closes at the same time on Nov 3;
• The lottery is open to citizens from qualifying countries - both Sri Lanka and Maldives qualify;
• Applicants may only apply once; multiple entries will result in disqualification;
• Applicants must meet the qualifications for the Diversity Immigrant Visa program, so please make sure you qualify before applying;
• Applicants should keep the application’s confirmation number, as it’ll be needed to check if you have been selected for an interview;
• The online application is completely free – there are no hidden costs.  Beware of scams and persons or companies making claims of affiliation with the U.S. Government, or those who promise improved odds of selection.  You do not need a third party assistance to complete and submit an application.

People who are interested in finding out more about the program, including qualification requirements, can go to the U.S. Embassy Colombo’s website at: srilanka.usembassy.gov/visas/diversity-visa-lottery-program.html.  Detailed instructions are provided in English, Sinhala and Tamil. To apply for the lottery, please go to www.dvlottery.state.gov.

Notifications and next steps

Beginning in early May 2015, applicants may go online to www.dvlottery.state.gov to see if they have been selected for an interview.  If selected, a U.S. Consular Officer will conduct the interview and decide if you are eligible to receive a visa – this will include a medical examination, visa fees, and an in-person interview prior to a decision being made.