American Green Card Lottery Access Center
Instructions on How to Enter
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LOTTERY REQUIREMENTS
MUST BE A NATIVE OF A QUALIFYING COUNTRY--Usually your country of birth
In most cases, this means the country in which you were born. However, there are two other ways you may be able to qualify. First, if you were born in a country whose natives are ineligible but your spouse was born in a country whose natives are eligible; you can claim your spouse’s country of birth, provided both you and your spouse are on the selected entry, are issued visas, and enter the U.S. simultaneously. Second, if you were born in a country whose natives are ineligible, but neither of your parents was born there or resided there at the time of your birth, you may claim nativity in one of your parents’ country of birth, if it is a country whose natives qualify for the DV-2010 program.Click here for list of eligible countries
MUST MEET EITHER THE EDUCATION OR TRAINING REQUIREMENT
Education or Work Experience: You must have either a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful completion of a 12-year course of elementary and secondary education; OR two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience to perform. The U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net Online Database will be used to determine qualifying work experience. For more information about qualifying work experience, see Frequently Asked Question #13.
If you cannot meet the above requirements, you should NOT submit an entry
to the DV program.
HOW TO ENTER
THE FOLLOWING REGULATIONS WERE RELEASED BY THE US
GOVERNMENT IN SEPTEMBER 2008.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY
- To enter the DV lottery, you must be a native of one of the listed countries.
- Native of a country whose natives qualify: In most cases, this means the country in which you were born. However, there are two other ways you may be able to qualify. First, if you were born in a country whose natives are ineligible but your spouse was born in a country whose natives are eligible; you can claim your spouse’s country of birth, provided both you and your spouse are on the selected entry, are issued visas, and enter the U.S. simultaneously. Second, if you were born in a country whose natives are ineligible, but neither of your parents was born there or resided there at the time of your birth, you may claim nativity in one of your parents’ country of birth, if it is a country whose natives qualify for the DV-2010 program.
- To enter the lottery, you must meet either the education or work experience requirement of the DV program.
Education or Work Experience: You must have either a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful completion of a 12-year course of elementary and secondary education; OR two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience to perform. The U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net Online Database will be used to determine qualifying work experience. For more information about qualifying work experience, see Frequently Asked Question #13. If you cannot meet either of these requirements, you should NOT submit an entry to the DV program.
PROCEDURES FOR SUBMITTING AN ENTRY TO DV-2010
- The Department of State will only accept completed Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) Entry Forms submitted electronically at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period between noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Thursday, October 2, 2008 and noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5), Monday, December 1, 2008.
- All entries by an individual will be disqualified if more than ONE entry for that individual is received, regardless of who submitted the entry. You may prepare and submit your own entry, or have someone submit the entry for you.
A successfully registered entry will result in the display of a confirmation screen containing your name and a unique confirmation number. You may print this confirmation screen for your records using the print function of your web browser. Starting July 1, 2009, you will be able to check the status of your entry by returning to the website and entering your unique confirmation number and personal information.
- Paper entries will not be accepted.
- It is very important that all required photographs be submitted. Your entry will be disqualified if all required photographs are not submitted. Recent photographs of the following people must be submitted electronically with the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form:
- You
- Your spouse
- Each unmarried child under 21 years of age at the time of your electronic entry, including all natural children as well as all legally-adopted children and stepchildren, even if a child no longer resides with you or you do not intend for a child to immigrate under the DV program.
- You do not need to submit a photo for a child who is already a U.S. citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident. Group or family photographs will not be accepted; there must be a separate photograph for each family member. Failure to submit the required photographs for your spouse and each child listed will result in an incomplete entry to the E-DV system. The entry will not be accepted and must be resubmitted. Failure to enter the correct photograph of each individual in the case into the E-DV system will result in disqualification of the principal applicant and refusal of all visas in the case at the time of the visa interview.
- A digital photograph (image) of you, your spouse, and each child must be submitted on-line with the E-DV Entry Form. The image file can be produced either by taking a new digital photograph or by scanning a photographic print with a digital scanner.
- Entries are subject to disqualification and visa refusal for cases in which the photographs are not recent or have been manipulated or fail to meet the specifications explained below.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING A DIGITAL PHOTO (Image)
The image file must adhere to the following compositional and technical specifications and can be produced in one of the following ways: taking a new digital image or using a digital scanner to scan a photograph. Entrants may test their photos for suitability through the photo validator link on the e-DV website before submitting their entries. The photo validator provides additional technical advice on photo composition, along with examples of acceptable and unacceptable photos. Compositional Specifications: The submitted digital image must conform to the following compositional specifications or the entry will be disqualified.
- Head Position
- The person being photographed must directly face the camera.
- The head of the person should not be tilted up, down, or to the side.
- The head of the person should cover about 50% of the area of the photograph.
- Background
- The person being photographed should be taken with the person in front of a neutral, light-colored background.
- Dark or patterned backgrounds are not acceptable.
- Focus
- The photograph must be in focus.
- Decorative Items
- Photographs in which the person being photographed is wearing sunglasses or other items that detract from the face will not be accepted.
- Head Coverings and Hats
- Photos of applicants wearing head coverings or hats are only acceptable if the head covering is worn for religious beliefs; and even then, the head covering may not obscure any portion of the face of the applicant. Photographs of applicants with tribal or other headgear not specifically religious in nature will not be accepted; photographs of military, airline, or other personnel wearing hats will not be accepted.
- Color photographs in 24-bit color depth are required. Photographs may be downloaded from a camera to a file in the computer, or they may be scanned to a file in the computer. If you are using a scanner, the settings must be for True Color or 24-bit color mode. Color photographs must be scanned at this setting for the requirements of the DV program. See the additional scanning requirements below.
TECHNICAL PHOTO SPECIFICATIONS
- Taking a New Digital Image. If a new digital image is taken, it must meet the following specifications:
- Image File Format:
The image must be in the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format.
- Image File Size:
The maximum image file size is 240 kilobytes (240 KB).
- Image Resolution:
600 pixels high by 600 pixels wide.
- Image Color Depth:
24-bit color [Note: Color photographs are required. Black and white, monochrome images (2-bit color depth), 8-bit color, or 8-bit grayscale will not be accepted.]
- Scanning a Submitted Photograph. Before a photographic print is scanned, it must meet the compositional specifications listed above. If the photographic print meets the print color and compositional specifications, scan the print using the following scanner specifications:
- Scanner Resolution:
Scanned at a resolution of at least 150 dots per inch (dpi).
- Image File Format:
The image must be in the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format.
- Image File Size:
The maximum image file size is 240 kilobytes (240 KB).
- Image Resolution:
600 by 600 pixels.
- Image Color Depth:
24-bit color. [Note that black and white, monochrome, or grayscale images will not be accepted.]
INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR THE ELECTRONIC ENTRY
There is only one way to enter the DV-2010 lottery. You must submit the DS 5501, the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form (E-DV Entry Form), which is accessible only at www.dvlottery.state.gov. Failure to complete the form in its entirety will disqualify the entry. Those who submit the E-DV entry will be asked to include the following information on the E-DV Entry Form.
1. FULL NAME – Last/Family Name, First Name, Middle name
2. DATE OF BIRTH – Day, Month, Year
3. GENDER – Male or Female
4. CITY WHERE YOU WERE BORN
5. COUNTRY WHERE YOU WERE BORN – The name of the country should be that which is currently in use for the place where you were born.
6. COUNTRY OF ELIGIBILITY OR CHARGEABILITY FOR THE DV PROGRAM – Your country of eligibility will normally be the same as your country of birth. Your country of eligibility is not related to where you live. If you were born in a country that is not eligible for the DV program, please review the instructions to see if there is another option for country chargeability available for you. For additional information on chargeability, please review “Frequently Asked Question #1” of these instructions.
7. ENTRY PHOTOGRAPH(S) – See the technical information on photograph specifications. Make sure you include photographs of your spouse and all your children, if applicable. See Frequently Asked Question #3.
8. MAILING ADDRESS – In Care Of, Address Line 1, Address Line 2, City/Town, District/Country/Province/State, Postal Code/Zip Code, and Country
9. COUNTRY WHERE YOU LIVE TODAY
10. PHONE NUMBER (optional)
11. E-MAIL ADDRESS (optional)
12. WHAT IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION YOU HAVE ACHIEVED, AS OF TODAY? You must indicate which one of the following represents your own highest level of educational achievement: (1)
Primary school only, (2) High school, no degree, (3) High school degree, (4) Vocational school, (5) Some university courses, (6) University degree, (7) Some graduate level courses, (8) Master degree, (9) Some doctorate level courses, and (10) Doctorate degree
13. MARITAL STATUS – Unmarried, Married, Divorced, Widowed, or Legally Separated
14. NUMBER OF CHILDREN – Entries MUST include the name, date, and place of birth of your spouse and all natural children, as well as all legally-adopted children and stepchildren who are unmarried and under the age of 21 on the date of your entry (do not include children who are already U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents), even if you are no longer legally married to the child’s parent, and even if the spouse or child does not currently reside with you and/or will not immigrate with you. Note that married children and children 21 years or older are not eligible for the diversity visa; however, U.S. law protects children from “aging out” in certain circumstances. If your electronic DV entry is made before your unmarried child turns 21, and the child turns 21 before visa issuance, he/she will be treated as though he/she were under 21 for visa-processing purposes. Failure to list all children who are eligible will result in disqualification of the principal applicant and refusal of all visas in the case at the time of the visa interview. See Frequently Asked Question #11. 15. SPOUSE INFORMATION – Name, Date of Birth, Gender, City/Town of Birth, Country of Birth, and Photograph. Failure to list your spouse will result in disqualification of the principal applicant and refusal of all visas in the case at the time of the visa interview. 16. CHILDREN INFORMATION – Name, Date of Birth, Gender, City/Town of Birth, Country of Birth, and Photograph: Include all children declared in question #14 above.
SELECTION OF APPLICANTS
The computer will randomly select individuals from among all qualified entries. The selected individuals will be notified by mail between May and July 2009; the notification letters will provide further instructions, including information on fees connected with immigration to the U.S. Those selected in the random drawing are NOT notified by e-mail. Those individuals NOT selected will NOT receive any notification. U.S. embassies and consulates will not provide a list of successful entrants. Successful entrants’ spouses and unmarried children under age 21 may also apply for visas to accompany or follow-to-join the principal applicant. DV-2010 visas will be issued between October 1, 2009, and September 30, 2010. Processing of entries and issuance of diversity visas to successful individuals and their eligible family members MUST occur by midnight on September 30, 2010. Under no circumstances can diversity visas be issued or adjustments approved after this date, nor can family members obtain diversity visas to follow-to-join the principal applicant in the U.S. after this date. In order to receive a Diversity Visa to immigrate to the United States, those chosen in the random drawing must meet ALL eligibility requirements under U.S. law. These requirements may significantly increase the level of scrutiny required and time necessary for processing for natives of some countries listed in this notice including, but not limited to, countries identified as state sponsors of terrorism.
EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND SUMMARY OF HOW YOUR DIGITAL PHOTOS SHOULD LOOK
The U.S. Government's requirements for entry into Lottery DV-2010 state that each digital photo MUST be taken on or after June 3, 2008. That means you will need to take new digital photos AFTER JUNE 3, 2008 to email to us to info@americangreencard.com .
Over 95% of all photos we receive need digital size adjustments. Make sure you take your photos using the following instructions, and we can then make digital adjustments.
- Each photo must be a color passport-type photo, with only the head and shoulders appearing in the shot.
- Head, shoulders and eyes must be facing straight into the camera with both sides of the face and ears equally visible. NO shadows are allowed to show on any part of the face.
- The background must be a plain LIGHT color such as white (NOT red, NOT blue, NOT any bright color. NO objects or shadows are allowed to be seen in the background.
- The head should take up approximately half of the space in the photo. Do NOT smile.
- Hats or head covers are not allowed unless they are required for religious reasons. Even then, no part of the face can be covered.
- Eyeglasses are acceptable in the photo only if the lenses are NOT tinted and there is no glare, no reflections of light on the lenses or frames, no shadows, and the rims/frames do not obscure the eyes. Glare on eyeglasses can usually by avoided by a slight upward or downward tilt of the head.
- Sunglasses are NOT allowed.
- Click here to see samples of properly taken photos.
EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND SUMMARY OF HOW TO TAKE NEW DIGITAL PHOTOS
Each digital photo MUST be in .jpg digital formal.
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The camera setting should be either normal or high quality.
- Background: The person being photographed should be in front of a neutral, light-colored background. Dark or patterned backgrounds are not acceptable.
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The digital format MUST be .JPG.
- Image Color Depth: 24-bit color (Note that black and white, monocrome, or grayscale images will not be accepted.
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The ideal final digital photo should look like the samples below, will be 600mm by 600mm, with a print resolution of 150dpi.
- Image File Size: The maximum image file size is 240 kilobytes (240 KB).
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If your digital camera cannot take a square photo, do the following:
Set the camera for high quality
Take a
horizontal shot (a photo wider than it is tall), with the head and shoulders showing as in
samples of properly taken photos below. We will then crop to get rid of any excess white space on each side of the photo and make it square. If the final digital size is too large, we can adjust it to meet the U.S. Government's requirements of. We will also make all the digital resolutions meet the exact requirements.
EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND SUMMARY OF HOW TO SCAN EXISTING PHOTOS
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Get a high-quality scan (at least 200dpi).
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The final scanned photo MUST be in .JPG format.
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The scanned size resolutions should be 600mm by 600mm.
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The final digital photo should look like the sample photo below.
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If close to the required digital resolutions, we can adjust it to exactly meet the requirements.
Email each required digital photo as a separate attachment to the message you send to info@americangreencard.com . Be sure to identify who is in each digital photo you send to us.
SAMPLES OF PROPERLY TAKEN PHOTOS
CORRECT PHOTO
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CORRECT PHOTO
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CORRECT PHOTO
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SAMPLES OF WRONG PHOTOS
WRONG...
Nothing allowed in back-
ground; do NOT smile
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WRONG...
Resolution too low; not in
sharp focus; do NOT smile
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WRONG...
Shadow on background;
do NOT smile
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WRONG...
Shadow on side of face; do
NOT smile
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HOW TO EMAIL US YOUR DIGITAL PHOTOS
- Email us the following items
- In the Subject Line of your email message, type in the words "Digital Photos Attached".
- In your email message, include as attachments a separate Digital
Photo of each each person who's digital photo you are attaching.Digital photo are required for yourself,
your spouse (if married) and each child listed on your entry form.
- In your email message, list the following:
- Your full name
- The email address to which you wish us to return the reviewed and corrected digital photos as attachments to a message.
- The method of payment you are using to send the service fee for reviewing and correcting your digital photos ($60 U.S. only for each digital photo you send to us for size correction.)
- See "Service Fee Instructions" on this page for payment options.
We cannot review and correct photos until after receiving your service fee.
HOW TO USE OUR DIGITAL PHOTO REVIEW AND DIGITAL PHOTO SIZE CORRECTION SERVICES
- Go to http://www.americangreencard.com/howenter.htm to confirm you meet the education or work requirements to enter the Green Card Lottery. A list of elgible countries is here.
- Take your required digital photos or scan existing photos. Complete photo instructions are at http://www.americangreencard.com/howenter.htm .
- Check to see if your photos will be accepted by the U.S. Government on their "Photo Validator" page at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/photo.aspx .
- If the U.S. Government approves your digital photos at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/photo.aspx , then go ahead and submit your entry and photos at no charge at the U.S. Government's official entry site.
- If the U.S. Government rejects your digital photos, you may email them to us at info@americangreencard.com , along with confirmation of how you are sending the $60 service fee for EACH digital photo you email to us for size correction.Be sure you email the photos as "attachments" to your message. Click here for a complete list of service fee options.
- After receiving our service fee, we review the digital photos you email to us, and we let you know what corrections are needed.
- We then email your corrected digital photos back to you. It is your responsibility to make sure that your email service provider allows you to receive digital photos as attachments to messages in your inbox. We can only return corrected digital photos as attachments to a reply to your original message.
- You then go to the U.S. Government's official entry site at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/application.aspx and submit your entry and corrected digital photos. After you submit your official entry, the U.S. Government immediately emails confirmation of receipt of your entry directly to you. You can then use their information to track your entry.
SERVICE FEE INSTRUCTIONS
Fee for our photo review and correction services:
$60 for each digital photo reviewed and digital size corrected.
Accepted form of service fee payment (in U.S. Dollars Only):
- Western Union Money Transfer (Click here to see Western Union Money Transfer Instructions)
- Cash, Cashier's Check, or Money Order mailed to the following address (NO PERSONAL CHECKS).
The US Government's official acceptance period for DV-2010 is
from Noon Eastern Standard Time on October 2, 2008 until Noon Eastern Standard time on December 1, 2008. The last day for American
Green Card Lottery Access Center to receive the service fee and your digital photos for review and correction is November 25, 2008.
No refunds allowed.
MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES
Over 95% of all photos we receive need corrections to meet the U.S. Government's requirements. Photos that are not taken correctly result in an entry being automatically disqualified. Also, if the digital resolutions are not exactly correct, the U.S. Government's official entry web site will not even accept your photos.
American Green card Lottery Access Center accepts your entry data every day of the year, reviews your digital photos, and makes digital size corrections to your digital photos, as needed.
After receiving the service fee, we review your digital
photos and make digital size corrections as needed. Remember...over 95% of all photos we receive need corrections to meet the U.S. Government's requirements.
If your photos are not correct, we either adjust the digital resolutions to meet the exact requirements or we request new photos from you...which we then review and adjust if necessary.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
THE GREEN CARD LOTTERY
The United States Government holds one American Green Card Lottery
each year, and there are 50,000 winners in each Lottery. Qualified winners and
their family members can receive a US Green Card and the right to live and work
in the USA.
You may submit your entry for Green Card Lottery DV-2010
to our office today! American Green Card Lottery Access Center accepts entry data and digital photos after the U.S.Government releases the photo guidelines for each year's Lottery (approximately October 1st of each year.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There is no fee to enter the Lottery; however, we do
charge a fee for our service. You are reminded that we are not affiliated with the US Government. We are a service company that has been assisting clients with entries into the Lottery since 1996. It will be our pleasure to assist you with your entry as well.
Best Wishes and Good Luck!
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