People often stop and
ask me and my colleagues about visa processes, and I believe many Ghanaians
will be interested in learning that the 2016 Diversity Visa Lottery Programme
(DV) is now open. The entry process is simple and free of
charge.
For
the first time, the DV Lottery process is entirely online. It is simple
enough that anyone can do it, and I encourage prospective entrants to complete
the entry forms themselves. Using a third party to assist is not
necessary, and frequently leads to misinformation that could lead to an
automatic disqualification after you’ve won.
The
entry form, qualifications for the programme, and complete instructions for
submitting an entry are available on the Department of State’s web page at
http://www.DVLottery.state.gov.
This is the central location for all the
information you need to understand the minimum qualifications for the DV, how
to enter the Lottery, and later to see whether your entry has been selected for
further review.
There
are hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals, companies, and websites around
the world that advertise services for assistance with submission of DV Programme
entries. We are also aware that here in Ghana there are businesses
operating as visa facilitators, visa agents, or visa coordinators that offer to
provide assistance with the DV process.
Even
though these services and businesses may be available, the online entry
application is simple and free of charge. I strongly encourage entrants
to complete the DV programme entry without such unnecessary cost or
assistance.
There
is simply no reason to use an agent or facilitator.
I
would encourage potential applicants to enter for themselves and very carefully
review the information they have entered on the online form before submitting.
Each entrant is only allowed one entry per year, and there is no room for
errors in submitting personal data such as your full legal name, date of birth,
place of birth, marital status or number of children.
Anyone
who enters the Lottery more than one time in a year will be disqualified -- so
don’t do it.
The
computer system will generate a confirmation number for your entry when it is
completed. You must retain that confirmation number carefully, and should
not share it with anyone.
The only way to find out whether your
application has been selected for advancing in the process is by returning to
that website, http://www.DVLottery.state.gov, beginning 5 May 2015, to see if
your confirmation number is among those selected for the lottery.
If
you receive a phone call or an email informing you that you have been selected
-- it’s a trick. The Department of State will not phone, text or email
applicants informing them that they have won.
While DV applicants may
receive an email from the U.S. government reminding them to check their status
online through DV Entrant Status Check, they will not receive a notification
letter or email informing them that they are a successful DV entrant.
Applicants can only find out if they were selected to continue with DV
processing by checking their status online through the DV Entrant Status Check
at http://www.DVLottery.state.gov.
Finally,
remember that if your entry is selected you should only pay fees for the DV
application process directly to the U.S. Embassy or consulate cashier at the
time of your scheduled appointment.
The U.S. government will never ask
you to send payment in advance by cheque, money order, or wire transfer.
The
DV Programme helps America grow stronger through diversity. The DV Lottery
makes available up to 55,000 diversity visas each year, drawn through a random
selection among all entries to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements
from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United
States.
The 2016 entry deadline is 16:00 local time on Monday, 3
November, 2014.
Remember:
there is no fee to enter the DV Lottery, and you can and should complete your
entry by yourself. It’s simple and it’s free. Good luck.
By Ambassador
Gene A. Cretz
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