Hodgson Russ LLP - Department of State Issues Instructions for the 2009 Green Card Lottery

For the 2009 DV lottery, applications will not be accepted from citizens of Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, or Vietnam.

Individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States are able to enter the DV lottery each year to try to win an opportunity to become a U.S. permanent resident. The DV lottery, conducted under the terms of section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, makes available 50,000 permanent resident visas to qualified individuals. Visas are apportioned among six geographic regions with a maximum of seven percent available to persons born in any single country. During the visa interview, principal applicants must provide proof of a high school education or its equivalent or show two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience within the past five years. Applicants are chosen through a random, computer-generated selection process. Selected applicants will then be able to apply for permanent residence between October 1, 2008, to September 30, 2009. The electronic entry form and more information about this program can be found at http://travel.state.gov. Questions should be directed to your Hodgson Russ immigration practitioner.