A lot of people get their green card applications instantly denied because of minor mistakes they make.
The DV-2024 Program, often known as the green card lottery, is accepting applications from interested individuals between October 5 and November 8, 2022.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program has a limited registration window each fiscal year.
Applicants who applied for DV-2023 Program have already been selected and that’s why the US Department of State opened the DV-2024 for new registrations.
It’s important to remember that the green card lottery registration period is normally between October and November two years in advance.
The US Department of State’s website is where most applicants find out whether or not their applications were successful (you are given a unique application code which you use for login).
Common Mistakes
The application for the diversity visa lottery has a huge list of requirements. The qualifications are relatively easy but so many individuals keep making mistakes that lose them a chance to permanently migrate to the US.
When applying for a green card, the photo is the most important document to provide.
Photo requirements are VERY essential since the initial round of selection is all about assessing the photographs candidates have uploaded.
They are not going to look at your level of schooling, they are not going to look at your job experience, they are simply going to analyze the photo you uploaded and if it’s not up to the standard they immediately disqualify you..
Numerous applicants are not considered further because the submitted photos do not conform to the necessary standards.
Key things to consider Before Uploading a photo
1. Background
When it comes to applying for a green card, the photo is the single most significant component. A plain white background is required for the passport. A photo with a background color other than pure white will result in an immediate rejection of your application.
2. Recent photo
The photo should also be very recent, the photo should be taken within 6 months. They (the United States Department of State) know how old the photo is based on how it is saved. The data properties usually indicate the date on the photo.
3. Previous photo
Using a photo that was used in the previous diversity visa lottery application leads to automatic disqualification.
You are not allowed to use the photo you used in the previous entry.
4. Glasses
You are not supposed to wear glasses when taking photos. If you wear glasses no matter how bad your vision is, you will automatically be disqualified.
Take photos without glasses.
5. Uniforms
Don’t wear uniforms. It’s a common misconception that the selection process involves a visual examination; for example, a doctor who wears a white coat in the hopes that the panel will pick them only on the basis of their profession will be immediately disqualified.
People who are required to wear a uniform or other prescribed regalia throughout their whole lives are the sole exception to this rule. Women who choose to devote their life to religious service, such as Catholic nuns and Muslim women, are free from this rule since it is required by their faith.
Note that you are only exempted if your clothing is part of your entire life.
Even if people are wearing unusual outfits, their faces must be visible in the images.
All Muslim women who choose to cover their faces with the Niqab or Burka shall be rejected. Consider wearing Hijab or Chador when taking photos to be uploaded on the DV application.
6. Resolution
The photo must have a resolution of 600×600 pixels which is the common size requirement for photos used in official documents in the US.
7. Size
The photo shouldn’t exceed 240kb.
8. Shadow
Make sure there is no shadow at all in your photo. Use online sites like (https://www.remove.bg/) to remove shadows or just go to a professional studio where they are conversant with visa application photos.
9. Posture
You should look directly at the camera when taking the photo.
10. Format
The photo must be in JPEG format. Other formats can be accepted but not a PDF photo.
11. Other applicants
The photo requirements apply to all applicants. Even if you are applying for your one-day-old child, the photo requirements are the same.
Remember that you should not submit your application more than once. You will be automatically disqualified if you apply more than once.
Note (for DV-2024 applicants) that you must also retain your confirmation number after applying to check your entry status between May 6, 2023, and September 30, 2024, to determine whether your entry was selected for further processing in the 2024 Diversity Visa Program.