US Diversity Visa Lottery ends December 2: free entry

The 2009 DV Lottery Programme ends on December 2, and interested applicants should be sure to apply before the deadline. The DV Lottery, or greencard lottery, allows randomly selected applicants to immigrate to the United States on an expedited basis, provided they meet all the criteria.

A person may only enter the lottery if he or she has:1) citizenship of a qualifying country (Sri Lanka and the Maldives both qualify); and 2) either a high school equivalent education (Six subjects in GCE O-Levels including compulsory subjects) or work experience within the past five years in a profession that requires at least two years of training or experience to perform, states a US Embassy Press release.

The lottery registration period ends on December 2, 2007. The lottery is conducted entirely by electronic means over the internet. Paper entries will no longer be accepted.

The State Department has established a website for the submission of entries, which can be accessed at www.dvlottery.state.gov. Please be aware that this is the Only website for the DV Lottery, and that entering the lottery is completely free.

An applicant may only register once; more than one entry will result in automatic disqualification. No fee is charged to enter the Diversity visa Programme.