What Does DV1 Mean?

A DV1 visa is a specific immigrant visa issued to individuals who have been successfully selected through the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program, commonly known as the US green card lottery program. This visa grants the holder the right to live and work permanently in the United States.

Understanding the Diversity Visa (DV) Program

The Diversity Visa Lottery Program is an annual initiative managed by the U.S. government. It aims to diversify the immigrant population in the United States by providing a limited number of permanent residency visas (green cards) to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S.

• Selection Method: Participants are chosen randomly from a pool of eligible applicants who meet specific entry requirements.
• Program Goal: To promote immigration from a wider range of countries, enhancing the diversity of the U.S. population.

Key Aspects and Benefits of the DV1 Visa

Receiving a DV1 visa is a significant step towards becoming a permanent resident of the United States. Here are its primary characteristics and advantages:

• Primary Applicant: The DV1 visa is designated for the principal applicant who has been selected in the Diversity Visa Lottery.
• Permanent Residency: It allows the visa holder to reside indefinitely in the United States.
• Work Authorization: Individuals with a DV1 visa are legally permitted to work in any occupation across the U.S. without needing additional employment authorization.
• Family Inclusion: While the DV1 is for the principal selected candidate, their spouse is eligible to receive a DV2 visa as a secondary applicant. Both DV1 and DV2 visa holders share the benefit of living and working permanently in the USA.

DV1 vs. DV2 Visas: A Comparison

The Diversity Visa program issues two main types of visas:

Both the DV1 and DV2 visas ultimately lead to lawful permanent resident status, commonly known as holding a green card, in the United States.