All entrants into the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery are advised to review educational and employment qualification guidelines prior to entry.  In order to qualify for a visa under the DV Program, the principal applicant (the applicant whose entry number was chosen) must have qualifying education or employment.

Education: Applicants must have completed a full-time high school education that is at least equivalent to a U.S. high school education (4 years, full-time, general studies). Full time general studies high school degrees do qualify for the lottery. Full time vocational high school degrees may qualify as long as they substantially conform to the core requirements of an equivalent United States general studies degree program. The final decision will be made by the consular officer on the day of the interview.

Part time high school diplomas – without a break from work, evening school, or correspondence – including five year programs or long-term programs (part time, without a break from work, evening school, or correspondence) don’t qualify for the DV.  Even if you completed part of high school on the part time system, and part of high school on the full time system, this diploma will not qualify for the DV.

University degrees qualify for the DV program.

Employment: Applicants who do not meet the education requirement, must meet the work experience requirement of two years of experience in an occupation which requires at least two years training or experience within the five-year period immediately prior to application.  Only certain specified occupations qualify for the Diversity Visa Program.

To qualify for a Diversity Visa on the basis of your work experience, you must, within the past five years, have two years of experience in an occupation that is designated as Job Zone 4 or 5, classified in a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) range of 7.0 or higher.  Qualifying DV Occupations are shown on the Department of Labor’s O*Net Online Database.