The diversity Immigrant Visa program or also known as, the green card lottery is a congressional mandated lottery program which gives out green cards. It is only done was a year by the Department of State and is conducted under the terms of Section 203 (c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It has provided a new class of immigrants that are allowed in the United States. The program allows up to 50,000 permanent resident visas to go out annually to people from countries with low immigration rates to the United States.

A green card is one of the most important things to have in the United States; you should be prepared to get ripped off. If you ever hear that you have to pay a fee, you are in the process of being scammed, don't ever offer to pay for the green card lottery. There is not fee to enter the lottery and the winners are chosen randomly. It doesn't mean you become an instant citizen either. The lottery only allows you to apply. Rather you are accepted is to the judgment of the American Government.

To enter, you can log online to www.dvlottery.state.gov. This site is only up and running during the application period. You are required to give a picture and any pictures of children or spouse under 21 years old. They all must be separate, no group photos. The site will list the requirements of the photograph.

The entry period is usually from October to December, but check with the State Department for future lotteries. You can only submit one entry during a lottery. Spouses will get a Diversity Visa based on the fact that their partner was selected. The requirements to enter are: Bring from an eligible country and by meetings the educational or training requirements. For the 2007 lottery, people from the following countries may not apply; Canada, China (only if from Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea, United Kingdom (unless from Northern Ireland), and Vietnam.

You should always check with the State Department to determine your eligibility. As for the education, you will only need to complete a twelve-year course of elementary and secondary education. You will also be accepted if you have two years of working experience within an occupation from the past five years. Check the Department of Labor to determine if the work experience qualifies you.

As for the Scams, don't trust anyone who says they are affiliated with the U.S. Government. Only the U.S. government conducts the Green card lottery. Also, don't trust anyone who says they have expertise or a special entry form. All applicants fill out the same form. Don't believe anything that sounds too good to be true like everyone qualifies or their company has an increase of winners. Everything is random and cannot offer anyone anything special.