Registration for the DV-2023 green card lottery has begun: what errors in the application form can deprive you of your winnings

Online registration for the lottery Green Card 2023 opened today (October 6). Applications will be accepted starting October 6, 2021 at 12:00 PM ET. Applications will continue to be accepted until 12:00 pm ET November 9, 2021.

Registration takes place only on one site - www.dvprogram.state.gov (earlier it was called www.dvlottery.state.gov both are safe). The registration process is free.

Detailed instructions for filling out the questionnaire can be found here.

But remember, filling out a questionnaire is a very responsible process. Many DV lottery winners are denied immigrant visas every year due to errors in the application form when participating in the green card lottery. Let's take a look at the most common mistakes in questionnaires.

The Diversity Visa program (green card lottery) rules state that applications that do not contain the required information or photographs will be rejected at the registration stage or disqualified later during processing or interviewing.

Carelessness that can be very expensive

The error can be minor or major. For example, the missing or added letter to the name, entering the date of birth in the wrong format (in the questionnaire, it is asked to enter it in the American format: first the month, and then the day) is considered insignificant.

An example of such mistakes is Emanuel instead of Emmanuel or Alberta instead of Albert. Some people confuse month and birthday when specifying a date. Someone writes with a mistake or a typo the place of birth. Provided that there is no suspicion of fraud after such errors, you, as a rule, will not have problems obtaining a visa after winning, if you have additional evidence confirming the true data. But it is still better to avoid minor mistakes, so as not to face unnecessary headache and worries.

Gross mistakes include a violation of the spelling of the name. If the person's name is “John Kofi Mensa,” he can enter “John” as the first name, “Kofi” as the middle name, and “Mensa” as the last name. In this case, it may turn out that in the passport “John” is indicated as his name, and “Kofi Mensa” as a surname. It turns out that the person entered his middle name, which he does not have, and also made a mistake in his last name. This can be a serious mistake and can lead to visa denial if you win.

On the subject: How not to lose a green card after receiving it: dangerous mistakes of immigrants

Other data includes a completely wrong date of birth (a different day, month, and year), a wrong place of birth, or both. Inappropriate photographs usually lead to visa denial. If the consular officer determines that the photo in the application form is not yours or is too old (taken more than 6 months before filling out the application form), he may refuse to issue a visa.

One of the most notable mistakes is registration by country of residence rather than birth. Make sure that you indicate your country of birth in the application.

Don't lie!

Many applications are rejected because the information does not correspond to reality, there is no need to lie in the application, since the information provided by you both in the application and at the interview will be checked.

Be careful with the documents

Changing or losing your passport can deprive you of an immigrant visa if you win, but cannot prove the reason for the change in data, so keeping a copy of your passport can always save you in this situation.

Failure to keep a form confirmation number can prevent you from emigrating if you win, especially since US embassies and consulates and the Consulate Center in Central Kentucky do not issue these numbers.

On the subject: Note to the immigrant: all types of green cards and the grounds for receiving them

The subtleties of the question of marital status

An incorrectly written marital status can take away your green card, for example, applying for immigration as a couple on the grounds that they will get married before the lottery result is announced. You need to indicate your marital status at the time of filling out the questionnaire, and not the one that you may have in six months - when the results are known.

It is necessary to provide data and provide photographs of children, even if they were from a previous marriage, and do not plan to immigrate with you.