How do I know if I won the fiscal year 2019 visa lottery?

In my Consulta Migratoria® column this week I answer a question from a reader who wants to know if he was selected in the visa lottery.

Here is some general information. Please consult with an immigration attorney for personalized legal advice before beginning any proceedings.

This is the column:

Last year I registered for the visa lottery draw, how do I find out the results of the draw and what should I do to claim my visa if I have won it? -Matías S.

Matias, the U.S. Department of State has already released the results of the lottery for the diversity visa program for fiscal year 2019. All information is available on a special portal.

Where to find visa lottery results

You must go to the website "DV Incoming Status Check" to see if you are among the winners of the sweepstakes. Click the "Continue" button and follow the instructions.

You need the following information to verify if you were selected:

1. Confirmation number given to you by the Department of State after completing the application. The format of the number is: 2019xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
2. Your last name as it appears on your visa lottery entry.
3. Your year of birth.

If you lost your confirmation number, you have to go to the following website "Verify Entrant" to get it. You will need to verify your identity by entering your first and last name, date of birth and the email address you used to enter the sweepstakes.

Results for the 2019 fiscal year will only be available on the website. "DV Incoming Status Check" until September 30, 2019.

What to do if you are selected

If you see your name on the list, you must act immediately to apply for your visa because there is a limited time to apply.

If you were selected and are eligible, you must obtain your visa or adjust your status before the end of fiscal year 2019 (October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019) because the benefits of this visa cannot be carried over to the following year. There are no exceptions.

If you do not apply within the specified time, you may lose the right to your visa.

After you comply with all the instructions on the website "DV Incoming Status Check"will begin processing your case.

If you live outside the United States, you will be sent a notice with the date you must attend your visa interview at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your country.

If you plan to apply for adjustment of status within the United States, you will be scheduled for an appointment at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office.

To claim a visa, all requirements must be met.

Being selected in the visa lottery does not guarantee that you will be approved for permanent residence. To claim your diversity visa you must meet all the eligibility requirements stipulated by U.S. immigration law. One of those requirements is to be admissible to the country.

Matias, I do not know your particular situation, as you do not provide any further details. But you should know that the federal government verifies the eligibility of each applicant before allowing them to proceed with the process to claim a visa drawn in the lottery.

Many people who are not eligible for the visa lottery register for the program. Even if they win the lottery, if they discover that the person is not eligible or did not follow the program registration instructions, they will disqualify their application and will not process the visa.

If you have lived in the U.S. illegally, are subject to immigration penalties or restrictions, or have a criminal record or immigration arrest, I recommend that you consult with an immigration attorney to ensure that you meet all requirements before proceeding with the immigrant visa process.

It is not worth it to go through the process if you do not qualify for the visa. It is a waste of time and money, because the federal government does not reimburse fees paid if the person is not eligible. In the case of undocumented immigrants within the United States, they could expose themselves to immigration authorities.