FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aileen Leonard Dibra, Executive Director
aileen.dibra@ciic-usa.org / 914.837.2007

August 20, 2019—The Diversity Visa Lottery is a congressionally mandated program providing 50,000 individuals with immigrant visas to the U.S.  Lottery winners may be eligible to obtain a Green Card and become a permanent legal resident of the U.S.

The DV-2020 Diversity Lottery results have been released in the August 2019 Department of State Visa Bulletin. Nearly 84,000 entrants were selected worldwide from over 14 million qualified entries for further processing. Ireland received the lowest number of selected entries ever with a total of 32 selected entries between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Be aware the Department of State DOES NOT notify successful applicants via letter or email.  Applicants must check their application status online at: https://www.dvlottery.state.gov by providing:

• Application confirmation number, received at time of filing
• Full name
• Year of birth

Those selected under the DV-2020 program must complete visa processing before September 30, 2020.

Always seek reliable support should you have questions, and be wary of fraudulent companies that may try to take advantage of immigrants for monetary gain.  Remember that CIIC regional Irish centers are available to help answer questions that applicants may have and can be found here: ciic-usa.org/find-your-local-irish-center.

It is important to remember that not everyone who is selected in the lottery will receive a green card; third parties cannot increase chances of a positive outcome.  For further information see: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry.html.

It is expected that the next registration period for DV-2021 will open in October 2019 for a 30 days.  CIIC will circulate additional information about the next diversity lottery as it becomes available, and encourages those that are eligible and wish to emigrate to the U.S. to apply.

IMPORTANT: As of June 5, 2019 the Department of State is now requiring registrants for the Diversity Visa Program to provide information from a valid, unexpired passport on the electronic entry form (unique serial number associated with their valid, unexpired passport, country or authority of passport issuance, and passport expiration date).

Anyone interested in entering the DV-2021 program MUST have a current and valid passport in their possession at time of application. This new requirement looks to decrease the number of unauthorized and/or fraudulent DV-2021 entries, while creating more opportunity for qualified applicants with a valid passport.

 

ABOUT THE COALITION OF IRISH IMMIGRATION CENTERS

The Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers (CIIC) was established in 1996 to promote the welfare of Irish immigrants in the US at a national level.  CIIC is funded by a generous grant from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Emigrant Support Programme.

The Coalition serves as a national umbrella organization representing Irish immigration and community centers throughout the United States that are committed to providing support to Irish immigrants. The Coalition strives to be a strong, cohesive and representative voice for the needs of its member centers, and in turn the greater community of Irish immigrants in the US. The Coalition prioritizes the sharing of information and the creation of best practices as a way to support and assist its member centers in their direct service work. CIIC member organizations are located in California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Philadelphia and Washington.

To learn more about CIIC visit, www.ciic-usa.org

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