<p>The Department of State announced the start of the DV-2011 Green Card Program. It noted that applications were increased from last year. The Department release states the following:<br /><br />In the first week of the 2011 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV?2011), applicants from around the world submitted over 900,000 entries—a 63 percent increase over the same period last year. More than 13,000,000 entries are expected before the registration period ends.</p>
<p>The U.S. Department of State launched DV?2011 on October 2 and will conclude the registration period on November 30. This Congressionally mandated program makes available 55,000 immigrant visas annually, drawn randomly from all entries and issued to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Successful DV?2011 entrants will receive notification of their selection via mail between May and July, 2010, and will be permitted to commence the Immigrant Visa application process in October 2010. The deadline for visa issuance is September 30, 2011.</p>
<p>The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is open to persons meeting simple, but strict, eligibility requirements. Nationals of countries sending more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States over the period of the past five years are not eligible. This year, individuals born in Brazil, Canada, China (mainland) Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam are not eligible to enter. Additionally, the law requires that every entrant must have at least a high school education, or qualifying work experience.</p>
<p>There is no fee to enter DV?2011. Successful entrants, however, will be required to pay all applicable application fees and costs, including those for medical examinations, for themselves and qualifying immediate relatives. Entries must be submitted online. Paper entries are not acceptable. All successful entrants will be notified by mail, but entrants who retain their online confirmation page will be able to check their entry status through the internet.</p>
<p>Full details of the program, including instructions on how to apply online, are available at www.dvlottery.state.gov.</p>