Diversity Visas
Q: What is the Diversity Visa (DV) program?
A: If you are a native of a country that has historically low rates of immigration to the United States, you may be eligible to apply for a diversity immigrant visa. There is no cost to register for the DV program. You can read about the program here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-submit-entry1.html?wcmmode=disabled
Q: I was a DV-2020 selectee and I delayed my appointment. Will there be any opportunity to reschedule?
A: We are not able to schedule or reschedule further DV-2020 visa interviews at this time, now that the September 30 deadline has passed. There is a lawsuit pending in the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia regarding DV-2020 cases. Should the Embassy receive additional information regarding DV-2020 cases, updates will be posted on https://travel.state.gov and on Facebook and Twitter, as well as the Embassy website:
https://gy.usembassy.gov/
https://travel.state.gov
https://www.facebook.com/USEmbassyGeorgetown/
Twitter: @EmbassyGuyana
For case-specific questions email us at:
Georgetown (GEO) and Paramaribo (PRM) Cases: visageorge@state.gov
Havana (HAV) Cases: havanaconsularinfo@state.gov
Q: What is the status of the DV-2021 program?
A: Results from the Diversity Visa (DV-2021) visa lottery program have been available online since May 5, 2020. You may check the status of your entry through the Entrant Status Check on the E-DV website at https://dvlottery.state.gov/ using your unique confirmation number and personal information. It will be the only way to check whether your entry was selected. If you lose your confirmation number, there is a special tool to recover it available on the E-DV website. If your entry is selected, you will be directed to a confirmation page that will provide further instructions, including information on fees connected with immigration to the United States. If you are selected, we encourage you to complete the DS-260 visa applications soon. The Embassy will be processing DV-2021 visa lottery cases starting on October 1, 2020 until September 30, 2021.
All DV-2021 diversity visa program applicants must be found eligible for, and obtain, their visa or adjust status by the end of fiscal year 2021 (September 30, 2021).
Q: Is it too early to apply for the 2022 Diversity Visa (DV-2022)?
A: The online registration period for the DV-2022 Program began on Wednes-day, October 7, 2020 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and concludes on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5). Individuals who submit more than one entry during the registration period will be disqualified.
Q: I received my 2020 Diversity Visa but was unable to travel before it expired. What should I do now?
A: Unfortunately, you cannot travel on an expired visa, and we are unable to issue replacement 2020 diversity visas after September 30, 2020. You will be able to apply for the program again in another year.
***
“Ask the Consul” is a monthly column from the U.S. Embassy answering questions about U.S. immigration law and visa issues. Detailed information about visas and travel can be viewed at https:// gy.usembassy.gov/, https://ais.usvisa-info.com/ and https://travel.state.gov/. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare their own documents and avoid third-party advice. U.S. Consular rules change frequently, and non-US government advisors often provide inadequate or inaccurate information. Please contact our Visa Information Service Center on toll free numbers: 1-877-246-6788 or 703-988-5765 if you have general visa questions.
