OK – this one should be pretty simple but it trips people up ALL THE TIME…
Certain countries are ineligible to apply for the lottery. THe reason for that is that the DV lottery program is specifically there to facilitate diversity in the immigration process. If countries already have high numbers of emigration to the USA then they become ineligible for the DV lottery. The countries that are ineligible can change year to year and in DV2016 the list of ineligible countries is as follows:-
Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea,
United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam.
Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible.
This is actually unchanged from DV2015, although that year saw Nigeria added to the list.
OK – so what does this mean?
If you were born in one of the ineligible countries you most likely cannot participate in the DV lottery (there are some exceptions, which I will explain later). Note I said “born in”. Let’s repeat that – “BORN IN”. Even though the instructions are clear about this point people keep getting this wrong. It does not matter where you live, it doesn’t matter what passport you hold or citizenship. This is based on nativity – the place you were born.
OK – I said there are some exceptions. Yes there are. The main one is eligibility through marriage – this exception allowed me to enter the lottery… if you were born in an ineligible country, but are married to someone born in an eligible country then you and your spouse can both enter – you charging to her country. So – I was born in the UK (ineligible), but my wife is a native (was born in) Spain. I therefore entered and chose Spain as the country of my changeability. It is important to note that this marriage must be legal at the point of the eDV entry. You cannot enter today and find someone to marry from an eligible country. One second point about this is that if you do win and charge to your spouse’s country you both must meet the other requirement (education/work experience – explained here). This second point is very important. In this scenario, if your spouse wins (and she is native of the eligible country) then your education/work experience is not important (not even checked). If however you win then you will both have to prove that you meet the requirement for education/work experience.
There is also another exception known as the missionary exception. Let’s say you were born in an ineligible country because your parents were there temporarily, you may be able to chose to be charged to either one of their countries of birth. This is obviously more difficult to prove, but what is important is that you have to show your parents were not permanent residents your country of birth at the time and neither parent was born in the same country as you. This is normally because a multinational company or organization has sent your parents for a temporary period – typically (though not always) leaving after a period of time. If you think this exception might apply to you, I suggest you contact me and explain the situation so that I can give you an opinion on whether you can make a case or not.
Please read this important update about elective cross charging.
May 27, 2019 at 20:51
Hi,
Question for somebody who was just selected.
He is from an eligible country and was selected.
His girlfriend is from an ineligible country.
If they get married right now (after the results but before the interview), does she become eligible to get a green card with him?
Thanks
May 27, 2019 at 21:25
Yes, but the marriage must be genuine – meaning not only for the purposes of the Green Card.
May 20, 2019 at 05:08
i was born in tunisia but I live in Libya
my mom from tunisia and my dad have 2 nationality Libya and tunisia
But for me i only have the libyan nationality and the Libyan passport.
in question number 5 i answer that I was born in tunisia and in the question number 6 i choose Libya because in that time I didn’t have the tunisian nationality and the tunisian passport What is my chances to win the green card
May 20, 2019 at 05:17
Because both countries are in the same region, you should be OK.
May 17, 2019 at 14:26
Hello Mr Simon?
May 16, 2019 at 21:50
Hi Simon.
Please i just wanna be sure about this. Thanks
I was born in Cameroon to Nigeria Father and a Cameroonian Mother. I had my high school education and other certifications in Cameroon. But i am now moving to stay permanently in Nigeria and am a getting a Nigeria passport (and dont have a Cameroonian passport) .
1) Am i Eligible for the DV lottery program?
2) Can i play the program while in Nigeria?
3) And if i win , do i need to travel back to Cameroon to follow up any of the required documents and procedures that the Embassy needs?
Please please help clarify this for me. Thanks you
May 17, 2019 at 01:00
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. No
April 22, 2019 at 07:53
Hi Brit, Anybody in AF region who have received 2NL, my case number is AF24*** I have not not received the 2NL
April 22, 2019 at 08:10
Robert am AF 22xxx and not yet am hoping I will get 2nl b4 end of the month or may be in July. Submitted the docs in mid March.
April 22, 2019 at 13:52
Have you sent your documents, if so, when?
April 22, 2019 at 03:15
Hello Simon,
Good evening, please my girl friend from Ghana eligible applied for herself won DV lottery and am from Nigeria After one month she won the lottery. I got married to her legally through court marriage, so that we can we can travel together . Is it possible for us to get the visa if we go for interview Or should i allow her to go interview alone.? I just want to know the possibility, if is not possible then i will allow her to go the interview alone. Please Advise.
April 22, 2019 at 05:03
Yes it is possible but you must show proof that the marriage is real.
February 27, 2019 at 10:02
Hi Simon,got selected in DV 2019,chargeability state appears as Kiribati instead of Kenya.Kiribati and Kenya follows each on the selection panel.
Will this mistake allowed at interview stage?
February 27, 2019 at 13:28
No. You are certain to be disqualified, and would be wasting your time and money to proceed. You must have a number in the OC region due to your mistake, and you were not entitled to be in the draw for that region. There is no way they can approve you or fix this. Just so you understand you went from a region where the chance of selection is once every 200 years, to a region where the chance of selection is once every 20 years.
February 12, 2019 at 12:26
Hello Mr.Simon, first of all Im really glad to find your website and thanks u for the information u provided. I have a query hope u would help me out.
My self Dr.Prabhandh, was born in JORDAN (Have the Jordanian birth cirtificate) to my Indian origin parents in the year 1991. In the year 1992, my parents moved back to India(ineligible for DV).
I completed all my education in India and not once I have been to Jordan again.I am married to a Indian origin woman(place of birth Indian too)
I hold an Indian Passport too with place of birth mentioned as Irbid, Jordan, but Nationality as Indian.
1) Am I eligible to apply for DV
2) If yes how difficult it would be to get DV
February 12, 2019 at 14:16
1. Yes
2. It’s a lottery – chance of winning about once in 200 years.
February 12, 2019 at 17:37
Thank you for the prompt reply…..
Once in 200 years LOL
January 22, 2019 at 22:20
Hi Brit.I am the guy who asked you for wrong country of chargeability.I was born in armenia but I have spain citizenship and in the inicial entry i choosed spain the county of chargeability.You said me that I would be ok because the 2 countries are in the same region.now I am looking for the article 9 FAM 604.2-1 (choose wrong country of chargeability )and I cant find it.maybe the have changed the rules???.thanks
https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM050206.html
January 23, 2019 at 03:50
The rules you quote have been recently updated. I found the wording on an older version of the guide. I believe it woulod still apply and have seen the rule applied many times in the way I describe. That is not, of course, a guarantee they will do that again in your specific case.
9 FAM 42.33 N4.3 Errors in Choice of Country of
Chargeability
(CT:VISA-1478; 08-26-2010)
If the entrant chooses the wrong country of chargeability at the time of the initial
entry, the error will generally be disqualifying. However, if a DV applicant chooses
a country of chargeability during DV registration that is within the same
geographic region (one of the six) as the correct country of chargeability, and you
determine that the applicant gained no benefit from his or her error, you may
continue processing the application.
January 23, 2019 at 04:36
I hope they will do it .they updated the rules in may of 2018 but before that I printed out the rules on paper and will take it with me to the interview for show to the CO.apart of that I mailed to the embassy 2 times in may of 2018 and in october of 2018 and the said that my case would be ok.
January 23, 2019 at 20:41
Thanks for the answer.what do you recomend me Simon continue with my case or not?
January 23, 2019 at 20:50
Must I keep repeating what I said in June, and August and so on? It’s very tiresome.
December 18, 2018 at 19:12
Greetings sir,CN:2019Af00005***,av gone through article more than 4 times today,I just want u to quickly clearify sumth.l was born in Benin republic,my husband is from Nigeria,since dv lottery as to do wth place of birth,Apart frm my birth certificate,which other document do u think the CO can ask to prove my eligibility on my place of birth.well appreciated sir
December 18, 2018 at 23:19
Birth cert and passport.
October 23, 2018 at 19:12
hi
am filling a dv entry for my parents. both were born in cities in Palestine, who is not under Palestine authority, (nablus and Jenin). would the country of changeability be Jordan or West bank? thanks
October 23, 2018 at 22:02
I don’t know.
October 16, 2018 at 17:39
Hi Simon,
I am from iraq, my passport is iraqi, my parents as well . What shall i put ” YES ” or ” NO ” ?
Regards,
October 17, 2018 at 02:27
Yes or no to WHAT?
October 20, 2018 at 09:38
To country of eligibility . I live in iraq, my passport is iraqi, my parents as well . What shall i put ” YES ” or ” NO ” ?
Kind Regards,
October 20, 2018 at 12:23
Yes or no to what?
Your country of birth is what matters.
October 13, 2018 at 18:56
Hi Simon,
I was born in Saudi Arabia.
I don’t have a birth certificate issued from Saudi Arabia,
But my Egyptian birth certificate says I was born in Saudi Arabia.
Should I choose country of chargiability Egypt or Saudi Arabia?
October 13, 2018 at 20:05
SA
October 8, 2018 at 07:02
Hello Simon ,
I was born in DR Congo , My father was a Rwandan and my mother was a Congolese I grow and live in Rwanda and I am Rwandan by nationality.
I was wondering myself if I should fill country of Birth DR Congo and Country of claiming Eligibility Rwanda because all my documents are for Rwanda and in DRC double nationality is not allowed.
Or if I can fill both country of birth and country of eligibility to Rwanda.( as my country of nationality)
Thank you for the clarification
October 8, 2018 at 14:01
Country of birth!!!!
October 5, 2018 at 03:02
What if a person was born in an eligible country and moved to another eligible country whom then received citizenship there after being there for many years. Which country would they have to put down on their DV lottery application?
October 5, 2018 at 03:45
Country of birth.
August 7, 2018 at 14:46
I was born in Nigeria and my wife was born in greece but has a nigerian passport with Greece as the place of birth. My chargeability is greece right?
August 7, 2018 at 16:36
Yes.
August 7, 2018 at 18:27
Thank you BritSimon.
July 22, 2018 at 14:26
Hi Simon, your site is great, thank you.
I was selected for DV 2018 under New Zealand and have an interview scheduled in London.
My parents are both New Zealanders and I was born in Singapore while they were temporarily stationed there for work (my father was in the NZ Army). We returned to NZ when I was two months old and have no ties to Singapore whatsoever. I don’t qualify for Singaporean citizenship.
When I entered the lottery I believed I was eligible to use the missionary exception and charge to New Zealand through my mother who was born there. Since researching further I realise there may be an issue and could do with your help.
Looking through old posts I found a case from 2016 almost identical to mine where you advised the entrant to provide a ‘preponderance of evidence’ that his family were only in Singapore temporarily.
Is this the advice you would still give today? My biggest concern is that as Singapore is eligible to enter the lottery, I might not be allowed to cross charge through a parent.
Thanks for your help.
Cheers,
Emma
July 22, 2018 at 17:05
I think you have correctly identified the biggest concern.
The missionary exception is generally for cases where the birth country is not eligible. However, whilst the 9 FAM DV lottery notes give that as a very clear *example*, it *may* be possible to use the same rule if you are willing to take the risk with fees etc.
Here are the supporting documents:
Normal guidance that COs follow: https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM050206.html
Quoted bit:
(2) DV Chargeability: As stated in the regulatory definition, the normal rules of chargeability apply to INA 203(c) immigrants. Many applicants may seek beneficial treatment from the rules of cross chargeability, as in the following examples:
(b) A child born in a non-qualifying country in which neither parent was born nor resident at the time of the child’s birth, may claim the birthplace of either parent;
Then, the actual chargeability rules: if you decide to try, you would print out each of these documents, and highlight the sections exactly as I have pointed out here – you would lead the CO, from one point to the next. There is nothing that I have found that says you cannot use this exception “electively” – which is what you are doing. However, I have known people try this, and be denied (perhaps not well enough prepared). So – it is up to you.
https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM050302.html
9 FAM 503.2-4 EXCEPTIONS TO GENERAL CHARGEABILITY RULE
Exceptions to the general rule of chargeability are set forth in 22 CFR 42.12(b), (c), (d), and (e). These exceptions are as follows:
(3) An alien born in a foreign state in which neither parent was born or had residence at the alien’s time of birth (see 9 FAM 503.2-4(C) below).
9 FAM 503.2-4(C) Applicant’s Place of Birth is Not Parents’ Country of Birth or Residence
If the consular officer has determined that, at the time of the child’s birth, the parent or parents were stationed in such country under orders or instructions of an employer, principal or superior authority whose business or profession was foreign to that foreign state, the applicant may be charged to the foreign state of either parent. The provisions of INA 202(b)(4) also apply to an alien born on the high seas.
July 23, 2018 at 16:14
Thanks for this info and for responding so quickly. Do you have an idea what impact a visa refusal of this kind could have on future immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applications? Apologies if this falls outside the scope of what you usually answer. Thanks again!
July 23, 2018 at 17:07
Submitting the DS260 is evidence of “immigrant intent”. That can be a factor that affects future NON immigrant applications – meaning you might have to show more proof that you intend to return home within the terms of the NIV.
July 13, 2018 at 18:40
Hi simon,i am nigerian my mum is from sierraleon and my dad nigerian .Mum still holds sierraleonian passport.Can i charge my application to her country?
July 13, 2018 at 19:19
No
July 14, 2018 at 21:21
I would like to contact you peesonally to ask a question.If you don’t mind.
July 15, 2018 at 00:12
britsimon3 at gmail
June 27, 2018 at 11:53
Hello Sir,
I am an Indian born in Kuwait , I also have the birth certificate issued from Kuwait. Can I apply for the DV program
June 27, 2018 at 15:16
Yes
May 28, 2018 at 04:21
Hi Brit,
Few days ago I just realized I was preselected for the Dv-2019.
Now, the bad news is that even when I was born in an eligible country (Venezuela ) my KCC case number came up showing Australia as chargeable country (another eligible country) .
It looks like during entry period I selected Australia because I am Australian citizen and my daughter was born in Australia as well (my bad)..
So based on the comments and information you have shared I guess I shouldn’t proceed with DS-260 application… right?
To be honest, even when my work experience and education level are very high.. I just feel I throwed away my chances just for a silly mistake ?
May 28, 2018 at 04:33
Yes, unless your spouse is Australian born, you are certain to be disqualified.
May 28, 2018 at 04:44
Many thanks for clarifying
Cheers
May 14, 2018 at 23:16
Hi sir
I play the DV when I was in Liberia but unfortunately I came to Ghana for study. Can I still travel from here?
May 15, 2018 at 02:33
Yes
May 10, 2018 at 20:34
Dear Sir?,
I was born in kuwait, I am holding jordanian nationality, my question is: my birth certificate is from jordan and mentioned inside date of birth is kuwait, is this fine or I’ve to bring another birth certificate from kuwait???
May 10, 2018 at 21:19
I don’t know birth cert procedures in that region – but normally a country issues it’s own birth certs.
May 11, 2018 at 07:52
Sir, the certificate issue country will be Jordan, and the birth place mention will be Kuwait, is this will be accepted for the CO or I’ve to bring it from the kuwait?
May 11, 2018 at 14:24
I already answered.
April 18, 2018 at 19:15
Hi Simon,
If I was born in a certain country in Asia region and my wife was born in Asia region also but in a different country , does it make any difference to our chances of winning to select her or mine ? i.e. I want to take advantage of the abilIty to change chargebility through marriage ,
Would this help at all ?
April 18, 2018 at 21:14
For most countries, no. The chance is the same for all AS countries EXCEPT Nepal and Iran.
January 30, 2018 at 03:46
Well sorry I differ, a merit based should be based on ones real qualification and work experience not based on the country where one is born. The Canadian Immigration is a best example it doesn’t disadvantage one based on their country of birth. DV lottery is a just random selection of folks from different countries. If those folks being selected in DVs are really worth the merit there would have been employers willing to sponsor them work visas; that way no DVs will be needed.
The current family based immigration isn’t fair either. A kid wins DV brings the father/mother who in turn bring the other siblings who didn’t make the DV, sometimes it stretches to the uncles and grandparents too. With chain immigration in a decade a whole dynasty is in. Whereas folks from certain countries with better merits wait for decades to get even get EADs let alone GCs. This is why I fully support Prez banning both DVs and family based immigration and use the quota reduce merit based immigration.
January 30, 2018 at 06:26
Well I disagree with your understanding. You don’t seem to understand the place of DV in the overall system. But anyway – good luck with your process.
January 25, 2018 at 20:53
BritSimon; So from your previous Reply to Kwane I get it that both parents have to be born from eligible countries. If one of them is from a ineligible county then I can’t inherit their cross chargeability. This is my case my Dad was Srilankan when I was born. He came as a refugee to india due to the war in srilanka. my Mum is Indian. I was born is india however I’ve migrated to Canada and I’m a Canadian citizen now.
January 25, 2018 at 21:06
The article above covers that. You are chargeable to India, and cannot claim the missionary exception described above because your mother is also Indian. As an Indian, you cannot benefit from the DV lottery.
January 29, 2018 at 22:17
Thank you BritSimon, No I didn’t plan the DV. I’m working the last few years in Workvisas. Cousins from Dad’s side have used cross chargeability to get their GC much quicker in a year or so. Mine takes 15 to 20 years I guess.
January 29, 2018 at 23:14
OK – so ignore all my articles as they are geared toward DV lottery cases only.
January 29, 2018 at 23:42
BritSimon, you might be absolutely right on the cross chargeability part; working only if both parents were from a eligible country. Let me take paid legal advice also to confirm. My cousins from Dad’s side; were born in India however had both parents who were Srilankan. Which isn’t my case where my mom is Indian. I support the current prez closing all this DV, family based stuff and hopefully all this countrywide quotas. Its not fair that there are folks like me from who have wonderful qualifications and have to wait for years when there are so many who have so much shortcuts.
January 30, 2018 at 00:20
Well, the current discussion is not well informed
DV is already merit based and selectees undergo strict background checks.
If Trump gets his way, family based migration will also be severely limited, so you might find that not fair either.
December 12, 2017 at 07:03
Hi BritSimon, thanks for all the enlightenment.
I was born in an ineligible country ( mother from the ineligible country and father from an eligible country) though I selected my fathers country as my chargebility.
Question 1. I’m I on the right track
Question 2: if selected where will I be attending my interview ( since I live in my mothers country which is ineligible)
Thanking you in advance for your reply
December 12, 2017 at 14:43
1, No. Since your mother is from the ineligible country where you were born you cannot claim eligibility through your parents. You would be wasting your time and money to proceed.
November 24, 2017 at 12:06
I won the DV2018 I have an OC number but I was born in Europe. I’ve got proof that I selected the right country of chargeability. What should I do?
November 24, 2017 at 14:35
What must have happened is that you somehow changed the country of birth/changeability by mistake without noticing. There is no point in continuing, you MUST be disqualified – there is NO doubt. The interview would be a waste of emotion, time and money.
November 22, 2017 at 16:10
Hi, if I was born in an eligible country, can I still chose the country where I currently live in and where my husband was born? Or is this exception only for people born in ineligible countries?
November 22, 2017 at 22:27
Click the link above about elective cross charging.
November 21, 2017 at 17:55
Hello Simon;
do u know where chances to win Asia or Africa ? what percentage ?
November 21, 2017 at 20:19
It depends on the country to some extent. Regardless, you enter based on country of birth.
November 21, 2017 at 08:45
Hello Simon;
Please advise and help what to choose then in question number6:
should i choose yes and leave it as it is Kuwait as place of birth?
Or
/No and change place to Egypt?
November 21, 2017 at 15:45
YOu aren’t using “REPLY” so your messages are out of context in my admin view.
Enter Place of birth in Q5 and charge to that country!
November 21, 2017 at 06:49
Hi I am born in India to Nepali parents who had migrated to India for work. Both my mom and dad were born in Nepal and when I was born my parents were still holding Nepali nationality. My mother got expired when I was eight months old.
My dad got Indian citizenship later but still had Nepali nationality. I am holding Indian citizenship only.
1) Can I apply for Diversity Visa as my parents were born in Nepal?
If yes currently I am holding US L1B and B1 Visa though I have not got any opportunity to travel to US.
My L1B and B1 Visa are still valid for 4 and 8 years respectively.
2) Are people having L1B and B1 Visa allowed to apply for DV?
November 21, 2017 at 15:49
1. If you can prove they were in India only temporarily, yes.
2. Yes
November 20, 2017 at 13:50
Hello Simon;
Please help i am so confused now and don’t know what to chose or what is the difference.
If i chose Kuwait; where will be the interview? or if Egypt?
and what papers they will require?
I just born in Kuwait but i am Egyptian and live in Egypt now;
Thanks for your support.
November 20, 2017 at 15:07
The interview takes place near your home address. It doesn’t matter where that is.
November 21, 2017 at 17:03
Hello Simon;
Please advise and help what to choose then in question number6:
should i choose yes and leave it as it is Kuwait as place of birth?
Or
/No and change place to Egypt?
November 21, 2017 at 17:14
Read the question out loud three times. Then answer the question.
November 21, 2017 at 17:26
i don’t know why you are not providing me a specific answer to submit?
which is better for me?
place of birth: Kuwait
country of eligibility??? Kuwait or Egypt?
November 21, 2017 at 20:19
I have answered, you are just not paying attention. So – for the last time – I said – “Normally eligibility is based on country of birth”. So – unless you are trying to charge to your spouse country you should choose country of birth.
October 12, 2018 at 22:26
Hello,pl help me I’m a Liberianresiding in Nigeria is it possible for me to play the diversity lottery Visa program knowing that Nigeria is no longer on the list of the diversity lottery Visa program?
October 12, 2018 at 23:10
If you were born in Liberia, yes.
November 19, 2017 at 19:25
Dears, Urgent Help before Submitting
Born in Kuwait , Nationality: Egypt . Parents were temporary working in Kuwait long time ago, We are all living in Egypt .
I am married and my Spouse is Egyptian and Living , working in Egypt.
What should I Write down in 6. Country of Eligibility for the DV Program
Are you claiming eligibility based on the country where you were born? YES or NO
Egypt or Kuwait .
If I selected Kuwait , It will be the Country of Eligibility , the Interview if I won will be in Kuwait or Egypt and Vise Versa . ?
Please Send me all details .
Thanks so much 🙂
November 20, 2017 at 01:13
Normally eligibility is based on country of birth, but you could choose your spouse’s country also. Read above.
November 16, 2017 at 16:03
Hi BritSimon, thanks for your informative post! I just wanted to clarify about chargeability via your parents.
On the DV-2019 instructions it states: ‘you can be “charged” to the country of birth of either of your parents as long as neither of your parents was born in or a resident of your country of birth at the time of your birth.’ I read this as either/or, but do you need both conditions to qualify?
I was born in the UK, while my parents were born in and are still citizens of Singapore, but they ended up staying in London following my birth. Am I able to submit an entry?
Thanks so much
November 16, 2017 at 17:23
You would have to make the case that they were there “temporarily”. That will be harder to prove since they never left – but it is possible if that was the original plan (but then became perm after your birth).
November 15, 2017 at 02:46
Please I’m a Nigerian, both by birth, marriage and residence. After filling out the form for Dv-2019, I’m told there’s an error in Q6- Country of Eligibility, and as such having difficulty to submit. Please does it imply that Nigerians are not eligible for the Dv-2019 lottery?
November 15, 2017 at 18:55
Correct – the instructions clearly state Nigerians are not eligible (along with a number of other countries)
November 9, 2017 at 19:54
I HAVE A QUESTION DEAR. I WOULD SOMEONE TO HELP ME. LETS SAY MY PARRENTS BOTH ARE IRAQI. FOR A REASON MY PARENTS LIVED IN IRAN AND I WAS BORN THERE, BUT ON MY PASSPORT THE PLACE OF BIRTH IS WRITTEN IRAQ. SO, IAM CONFUSED AND NOT SURE WHAT TO WRITE
November 9, 2017 at 19:58
If your birth cert also says you were born in Iraq, then Iraq it is.
November 2, 2017 at 06:44
Hi Simon,
I was born in Saudi Arabia to Jordanian parents who has been residing temporarily there at the time I was born. Both of my parents were born in the West Bank, Palestine prior to 1967.
From my knowledge, this makes me eligible to input either Saudi Arabia or Jordan in my DV application as my country of eligibility.
Though both countries belong to the same region. Nonetheless, I would love to have your expert advice on which of these two countries if I input in my applications would increase my chances with obtaining the DV lottery?
Thanks,
Fadi
November 2, 2017 at 11:06
Entries from the two countries have identical chance of selection – so choose SA as that is the least complicated eligibility to prove in your case (country of birth)
October 31, 2017 at 21:01
Hi Simon,
Thanks for your article! It was an interesting read as I’m in a bit of a tricky area when it comes too eligibility and would like some of your advice.
My parents (both British citizens)
My mum was born in Kenya, my dad born in Britian. I was born in Bahrain.
At the time of my birth my parents where living in Bahrain and was working out there (not for the government or military) he was just working in a bank. They where residents of Bahrain during my birth.
My question is on the form when I fill it out should I put Bahrain as my eligible country? (As that is where I am born and stated on my passport) or should I put Kenya as I would be using my mothers place of birth. both Bahrain and Kenya are eligible countries.
Just want the best chances of it all working out if i do get that lucky ticket.. Any advice on how you would go about it would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Angus
October 31, 2017 at 21:07
Not a “tricky area” at all. Bahrain.
October 31, 2017 at 21:24
Thank you for your quick response. Just wanted to confirm as it mentions to be eligible your parents at the time of my birth should not be a resident of Bahrain and at the time of my birth my parents where both legal residents.
Am i misunderstanding the requirements?
Thanks in advance for your advice
Angus
October 31, 2017 at 22:44
“Am i misunderstanding the requirements? ”
Yes.
It’s just about where you were born. Stop overthinking it.
October 27, 2017 at 00:04
Hi,
I was born in Morocco, I have the moroccan nationaIity and have aIso the spanish nationaIity cause I Iived for many years in Spain.
What shouId i put as country of eIigibiIity pIease
Thanks in advance for your heIp
October 27, 2017 at 02:31
Morocco
October 27, 2017 at 15:32
Thank you so much for your answer.
But I don’t understand why! I am spanish and moroccan at the same time. So wouIdn t have the choice between the 2 countries as countries of eIigibiIity?
i aIso have to say that to have the spanish i had to renounce the moroccan one (even if for the moroccan authorities i am and wiII be considered moroccan).
Doesn’t the country of eIigibiIity depend on the nationaIity, or is it mereIy question of the birth country? Now, what about the country of chargeabiIity?
I thank you so much for your heIp and enIightening .
FaithfuIIy
October 27, 2017 at 16:10
If you READ the instructions you can see they ask for your country of birth.
October 27, 2017 at 21:24
Thank you.
What about the country of chargeabiIity then?
Sorry if i am disturbing with my questions..
I appreciate your heIp
October 27, 2017 at 22:21
Did you read the instructions as I told you?
October 26, 2017 at 05:42
Hi Simon,
My mother is a Senegalese national and my father is Nigerian, I was born and raised in Nigeria, they are both late tho, can I be charged to Senegal, I’m 25yrs
October 26, 2017 at 12:26
No. Your father is Nigerian, so that means you cannot charge to their country of birth or claim that they were only in Nigeria temporarily.
October 23, 2017 at 16:49
Hi Simon! I like how this old article comes alive every October.
I was born in UAE, and left it for good at age 3. I don’t have any ties to it. Would my country of eligibility still be UAE?
Thanks big time for sharing your valuable knowledge.
October 23, 2017 at 17:00
“I was born in UAE”. That didn’t change – so your country of eligibility hasn’t changed.
October 20, 2017 at 19:31
Plz tell me
The country i was born was yeman but my nationality is somalia so in the eligibility section i chosed somalia and still unmarried is it ok
October 20, 2017 at 20:08
No, that was wrong. You should have chosen Yemen as your birth country and charged to Yemen.
October 21, 2017 at 04:05
Ok , what is the solution to solve
Plz tell me any solution
October 21, 2017 at 04:11
There is no solution
October 21, 2017 at 06:57
So what about i became selected or winner
And also my parents were born somalia is that became solution
October 21, 2017 at 12:35
I already answered.
October 16, 2017 at 23:11
“Generally Be disqualifying”
Doesn’t say “definitely disqualified”.
Maybe there is a way BritSimon ?
Thanks again for your time in replying so
comprehensively.
October 17, 2017 at 00:22
No – you are grasping at straws. Generally means normally, *except* in the exception detailed (i.e. two countries within the same region). You will be in the “generally”. But as I aid – it’s your time and money if you want to proceed.
October 16, 2017 at 20:59
IS there any way I can fix this with KCC? It’s a mistake, that’s the truth.
October 16, 2017 at 22:03
No. The instructions are very clear, and the CO’s have no “discretion” available to them when the error involves choosing another region. The 9 FAM notes are the “guidance” to COs on how to process cases. This is an excerpt from the 9 FAM guide.
“(3) Errors in Choice of Country of Chargeability: If the entrant chooses the wrong country of chargeability at the time of the initial entry, the error will generally be disqualifying. However, if a DV applicant chooses a country of chargeability on the DV entry form that is within the same geographic region (one of the six) as the correct country of chargeability, and you determine that the applicant gained no benefit from his or her error, and there are no fraud concerns, you may continue processing the application using the correct country of chargeability in IVO. Post may need to obtain additional DV number(s) for the correct country of chargeability from the Immigrant Visa Control and Reporting Division (CA/VO/DO/I), as necessary, via a VISAS FROG message (see 9 FAM 604.2-1).”
So – if you want, you can proceed to the interview, but the outcome is certain.
October 16, 2017 at 20:08
She has a Greek EU passport.
October 16, 2017 at 18:30
Hi BritSimon
EU31XXX winner. Country of birth is South Africa and living in South Africa. Born to Greek parents both from Greece.
On the ds260, I put country of birth South Africa and country of origin(nationality) Greece. Other country of origin Nationality(1) as South Africa.
Did I answer this correctly?
Panicking!
October 16, 2017 at 19:21
You did something wrong. You selected country of chargeability as Greece, so, based on that, you have been selected in the EU region. Both countries are eligible, so you should have “charged to South Africa, and received an EF number. So – you have been selected in the wrong region. Unless you are married to someone from EU region, you will be disqualified at interview.
October 16, 2017 at 19:27
My wife was born in South Africa, but also has an EU passport . Am I still disqualified?
October 16, 2017 at 20:44
Yes. DV runs on place of birth, not current nationality.
October 10, 2017 at 19:39
Hello Mr.Simon.
I appreciate your help ! You r real awesome !
Here is my situation :
My wife and son are born in India(Ineligible country). And I born in Yemen(eligible).
So we did apply two applications in DV2019 one by me and one by my wife.
1-In my application the claiming eligibility country choice I chosed NO.
And I wrote in the blanks of country birth of my spouse and my son Yemen not India (actually they both born in India )
2-In my wife’s application the claiming eligibility country choice she chosed YES and chosed Yemen as (eligible country where I born) then she wrote in the blanks of country birth of my spouse and son Yemen not India (actually they both born in India )
Any mistakes please guide us.
I hope I’ll get your kind reply to avoid mistakes in the future if I did mistake this year.
Thanks so much
October 10, 2017 at 19:54
If you are selected, that is the time to think about this. You only have a small chance of selection.
October 10, 2017 at 20:06
Thanks for your reply. But I want to know the way we applied is wrong or correct ?
October 11, 2017 at 12:50
Please give me a reply .. i just want to know if the way we applied is correct or wrong ? … please .. still waiting for your reply ..thanks in advance
October 11, 2017 at 13:38
I am busy helping selectees. I already answered you.
October 5, 2017 at 23:31
Hi Simon. Great forum and thanks for helping us all.
My country of birth is eligible. My question is about education:
I’m currently pursuing an associates degree at a college in U.S. and I have my high school diploma. So while filling out the application should I mark high school as my latest education or some college courses?
Thanks.
October 5, 2017 at 23:42
It isn’t critical to your application. Just choose.
October 5, 2017 at 15:20
Hello
in this DV2019
I’m eligible for the dv lottery and my wife&daughter born in China (in-eligible) , so when i was submit the DV application .. i filled their coutry of birth blank same us mine (but theirs was china ).. and i claim the Eligibility to my country of birth … is there any problem in my submitting ?
I will be thankful for your reply
October 5, 2017 at 23:26
No problem.
October 8, 2017 at 19:10
Thanks a lot. To be more clear. They both born in China but I didn’t write China as their country of birth in that application blank. I wrote my eligible city and country (Egypt ,Cairo ). So sorry for commenting again. Great thanks.
September 6, 2017 at 08:50
I am a librarian residing in south Korea on a temporary status, am I qualified to apply for the dv lottery for this year?
September 6, 2017 at 14:45
I think you mean Liberian – in that case – yes.