What is the DV-2010-Program? Why does this greencard lottery exist?
Based on the current immigration law (Immigration Act of 1990) the US government started to make available a certain number of unrestricted US work and residence permits, the so-called greencards. They are unlimited and valid for a lifetime. By defining a minimal educational level, the US is able to limit immigration to only reasonably educated individuals. In addition, certain countries with an exceptionally high rate of immigrants to the US are excluded from the program to maintain the multicultural balance in US society.

    Excluded are countries whose immigration rates into the US over the past five years has surpassed 50,000 (see conditions for participation).

    Hence also the name: DV is the abbreviation for “Diversity Visa”. The number 2010 stands for the American fiscal year 2010 beginning on October 1st, 2009 and ending on September 30th, 2010. This is the time frame for distributing the greencards to the winners of this program.

Please click here for the entire text of the law.

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