US Government Sets Requirements for Diversity Visa Lottery

The US government has published eligibility conditions for foreign applicants seeking a Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV), commonly known as the Green Card Lottery. Applicants must meet at least one of two criteria: completion of a formal education equivalent to a 12-year course or possess two years of qualifying work experience within the last five years.

The education requirement specifies that only formal study is acceptable, excluding equivalency certificates like the General Educational Development (G.E.D.) certificate. For work experience, the role must require at least two years of training or experience and fall under Job Zone 4 or 5, with a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) rating of 7.0 or higher.

The government warns that applicants who do not meet these standards risk being deemed ineligible during visa processing, and any fees paid are non-refundable, meaning applicants could lose their fees without recourse.