US Diversity (Green Card) Visa Application Guide

The U.S. diversity visa (DV) program is a lottery-based visa immigration program that allows eligible foreign nationals to permanently settle in the United States. Eligibility for a diversity visa can be gained by participating in the Green Card Lottery, held annually by the U.S. Department of State.

The US green card lottery is expected to grant a total of 55,000 immigration visas each year to countries with low immigration rates to the United States. People who receive a diversity visa gain legal permanent residence status in the United States, and have many rights such as working in any state, getting married, having children, getting an education and applying for citizenship after a certain period of time.

America Green Card Lottery Schedule

The pre-registration period for the 55,000 US diversity visas to be issued each fiscal year, also known as the Green Card lottery, opens two years in October-November. For example; the diversity visa lottery period for fiscal year 2024 ended in November 2022. Applications for the US green card lottery for 2025 are expected to be received in October-November 2023.

The US Green Card lottery schedule proceeds as follows.

Online applications for the draw will be collected in October-November 2023.
The draw results will be announced in May 2024.
Lottery winners must complete their visa application from October 2024 to September 2025.
As of the end of September, diversity visas will no longer be available for fiscal year 2025.

What are the requirements to participate in the US Diversity Visa Program?

The conditions for participation in the US diversity visa program are listed below.

Must be a citizen of one of the countries that have historically sent few immigrants to the United States. Turkey is on the list of eligible countries announced each year.
It is necessary to have graduated from at least high school or equivalent education or to have at least 2 years of work experience in a job requiring expertise within the last 5 years.
In America, it is necessary to prove financial adequacy that it will not become a burden to the public.

The U.S. Department of State determines diversity visa applicants through a random computer drawing from among all valid applications and based on the quota allocated for each country.

Professions Accepted in the Diversity Visa Program

Occupations accepted into the diversity visa program are determined using the United States Department of Labor’s O*Net OnLine database, which divides work experience into five job zones.

Although the U.S. Department of Labor’s occupation database lists many occupations, only certain occupations are eligible to participate in the program. A minimum of 2 years of work experience in an occupation ranked in field 4 or 5 within the last 5 years and with a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) level of 7.0 or higher is required.

For example, since the field of work for the aerospace engineering profession is determined as 4 and the Special Vocational Preparation level is determined as 7.0 < 8.0, it can be said that this profession is a suitable profession for the lottery program.

How to Apply for a US Diversity Visa?

The steps to be followed in the US green card lottery and diversity visa application process are listed below.

Apply online for the US diversity visa lottery (green card lottery).
The results of the US green card lottery are learned.
The online immigration visa application form (DS-260) is filled out.
An appointment email is received from the Kentucky Consulate Center.
Necessary documents for diversity visa are prepared.
A health examination is performed at an embassy-approved clinic.
You go to the US Embassy for a visa interview.

Register for the US Diversity Visa Program

All applicants who wish to receive a US diversity visa must first participate in the Green Card lottery on the dates announced by the State Department (usually October/November). To do this, the applicant must register for the lottery by completing the online application form (DS-5501) at dvprogram.state.gov.

The entry image for the diversity visa program registration screen is given below.

During the form filling process, the applicant’s digital biometric photo must be uploaded to the system. People who fill out the online form must print out the confirmation page and record the confirmation number. The green card application form confirmation number is the number that can be used to check whether the lottery has been won or not and to check the status of the application in the next stages.

The image of the confirmation page is as follows.

According to US law, an applicant is only allowed to apply once during each registration period. Those who apply more than once are detected by the system and disqualified from the lottery. Participation in the US green card lottery is free.

Where are the US Green Card Lottery Results Published?

The results of the U.S. green card lottery are announced in early May each year. People who participate in the lottery can see whether they have been selected by logging into the Application Status Check page at dvprogram.state.gov/ESC/ with their personal information and application confirmation number.

People who are selected in the green card lottery are eligible to apply for a diversity visa in the United States. Winning applicants will be provided with instructions on how to proceed with their visa applications, as well as the dates and times allocated for their visa interviews.

The query screen image is given below.

The results of the US green card lottery cannot be learned through any channel other than the confirmation number. The US Department of State, the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC), which is responsible for processing green card lottery files, or the US Embassy in Ankara do not announce the winners of the green card lottery and recommend that those who receive such an informational email be careful of possible fraud cases.

DS-260 Online Application Process for Diversity Visa

As the first step in the visa application process, those who win the green card lottery must fill out the online immigration visa application form coded DS-260. When starting the form filling process, the application number assigned during the green card lottery (DV case number) must be entered. When you reach the electronic signature page at the end of the form, you will be asked to re-enter this number without the “0”s. If you are applying with family members, a separate form must be filled out for each family member.

After completing the DS-260 form, a barcoded confirmation page must be created and printed. There is no need to print the entire DS-260 form , only the confirmation page printout is expected to be taken to the visa interview.

Kentucky Consular Center Visa Appointment Email

The Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) is the organization responsible for reviewing completed U.S. DS-260 forms and scheduling interviews for qualified applicants. Interviews for diversity visa applications cannot be made based on the applicant’s choice. All appointment dates are set by the KCC and the applicant is notified via email.

The applicant who receives the appointment email from KCC must log in to usvisa-info.com to create an appointment record and select the PTT branch where they will receive their visa and passport if their application is approved. All requested visa application documents must be completed and a health report that meets the Embassy criteria must be obtained by the appointment date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions to our consultants about the US diversity visa are provided below.

What are the Required Documents for the Diversity Visa?

The documents that need to be prepared before the appointment for the US diversity visa are listed below.

DS-260 online visa form confirmation page
Passport (passports with old US visas, if any)
Passport pick-up location registration
2 biometric photos (5×5 mm)
Original and photocopy of diploma from last school graduated
Documentation of work experience for the last 5 years (if at least a high school diploma is not available)
Fully certified population registration copy
For those who are married, the original marriage certificate and 2 photocopies
A copy of a divorce certificate or death certificate for previous marriages
Archived criminal record
Financial support documents
Court records for all cases, such as name change, adoption, trial, etc., if any
Military service certificate (for Iranian citizens)

All documents must be in English or Turkish. Documents obtained from abroad, such as marriage certificates, must be translated into English, but do not have to be notarized.

What are the Financial Resources for Green Card Visa Application?

The applicant must demonstrate that he or she will not be a public burden to the United States and that he or she has sufficient financial resources by declaring at least one of the three alternatives below.

One or more of the documents listed below regarding personal financial resources may be submitted.
- A statement from a senior bank official showing the current bank account balance, account opening date, last 12 months’ money transfer amounts and annual average
- Proof of ownership such as a title deed or bond and a letter from a lawyer, expert or authorized real estate agent stating the current value of the property, including any mortgages and debts on the property.
- Documents showing the current market values of stocks or bonds or the potential profits expected from them.
- Evidence of income from business investments or other sources, if any
A notarized letter from an employer stating that there is a job in the U.S., written on letterhead and containing the following information, may be submitted.
- Finalized job offer and job specifications
- Location and duration of work (full-time, seasonal, etc.)
- The applicant’s skills that will enable him/her to work in this position
- Salary information and information about other payments, if any
- Job start date
Form I-134 from a sponsor living in the US and proof of income from the sponsor can be declared.

What is a Medical Examination for an Immigrant Visa?

For an immigrant visa, a medical examination must be performed for the applicant and all family members within the scope of the application by making an appointment with an authorized doctor in the country where the visa interview will take place.

Before the planned visa interview, the necessary vaccinations must be done and the health examination must be completed. If the health report is given in a sealed envelope, it should be delivered to the foreign mission without being opened; some doctors send the health report directly to the foreign mission.

A medical examination appointment must be made with a physician approved by the US Embassy at least 15 days before the visa interview. The approved physicians from whom a US visa medical report can be obtained are listed on the official website. The medical report fee must be paid separately from the visa fee.

What is the US Diversity Visa Application Interview?

For your U.S. diversity visa interview appointment, you must go to the U.S. Embassy on the scheduled date and time with your printed visa application (DS-260) approval page and all other documents. A consular officer will interview you and your family members, evaluate your eligibility for an immigrant visa, and digitally fingerprint you.

The diversity visa application fee is $330 and is collected by cash or credit card at the Consulate counter on the day of the interview.

If the visa is approved at the end of the interview, people are informed about how and when the passport and visa will be returned to their owner.

How Many Days Does It Take to Get a US Diversity Visa After the Interview?

If your application is complete, the US diversity visa will be issued within 5 business days after the interview and your passport and visa will be given to PTT to be delivered to you.

For some applicants, an administrative investigation may be required for the US visa before the visa is issued . Administrative procedures can take an average of 6 months. After the administrative procedure is completed, the application file number is published on the website and individuals are also notified by e-mail. If the health report expires during the administrative procedure, a new health report must be obtained.

How Much Does a US Green Card Cost?

The US green card fee is $220 for 2023. The USCIS immigration fee must be paid online to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services after the immigrant visa is obtained and before traveling to the United States. You will not be issued a green card until the fee is paid.

You must enter the United States and apply for admission no later than the visa expiration date written on your visa. An immigrant visa is valid for up to six months unless the medical report expires earlier.

How to Get a Green Card After Entering the US with a Diversity Visa?

After you enter the United States with a diversity visa, if you have paid the USCIS immigration fee, your green card will be mailed to you. If your green card does not arrive within 45 days of your arrival, you should contact the USCIS contact center at 800-375-5283.

If you have not paid the USCIS immigration fee before arriving in the United States, you will need to pay the fee before USCIS can send you your green card.

When can I get American citizenship with a Green Card?

You can apply for American citizenship with a green card 5 years after you have obtained permanent residence status.

There is no guarantee that a green card holder will receive citizenship at the end of 5 years; residence requirements for US citizenship vary depending on the situation of the person.