Diversity Visa Lottery for Emigrating to the United States Begins

Diversity Visa Lottery for Emigrating to the United States Begins / 14ymedio
Posted on October 3, 2015

14ymedio, Havana, 2 October 2015 — The anguish is over. After months of
speculation, it has been confirmed that the recently begun United States
Diversity Visa program for 2017 maintains a quota for Cubans, according
to a statement from a consular official from the US Embassy in Havana at
a press conference Friday.

Rumors in recent months pointed to a reduction or cancellation of the
program for natives of the island due to the reestablishment of
relations between Washington and Havana. However, the official – who did
not give her name – told the national press that "as in prior years,
Cuba is included in the program to support a safe, legal and orderly
migration."

The press conference was attended by official media, such as the
newspaper Granma, the Cuban Television and the National Information
Agency (AIN), along with other media such as OnCuba, CubaNet and
14ymedio. The press conference took place in a room inside the newly
opened US American Embassy in Havana's Vedado district.

The consular official specified that each year, "55,000 visas are
granted to people who meet the eligibility requirements," and detailed
the registration process, emphasizing that it is free of charge. The
application to join the program must be made ​​through the web site
www.dvlottery.state.gov and once completed the form will receive an
electronic confirmation.

There are six geographical areas from which people can participate and
no country can receive more than 7% of the total visas available in a
single year. The applicant must also meet competency requirements,
having completed high school or having at least two years of work
experience within the last five years.

When asked by 14ymedio whether the embassy would offer times in their
navigation rooms for Cuban citizens to enroll in the program, the
official responded with a definite no. She further recommended "that
applicants enter their own information and don't use the help of an
unknown person." The deadline for applications ends this coming 3
November at noon.

Source: Diversity Visa Lottery for Emigrating to the United States
Begins / 14ymedio | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/diversity-visa-lottery-for-emigrating-to-the-united-states-begins-14ymedio/