The Department of State (“DOS”) just released its instructions for the DV-2017 Diversity Visa (“DV-2017”) lottery. The registration period begins on Thursday, October 1, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. EDT (GMT-4) and concludes on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. EST (GMT-5).

During the registration period, information, instructions, and the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form for the DV-2017 lottery will be available at www.dvlottery.state.gov. Applicants must submit entries electronically during the registration period using the electronic DV entry form (E-DV or DS-5501) that is available at the DV-2017 website. Paper entries will not be accepted! We strongly recommend that applicants not wait until the last week of this registration period to enter because heavy demands may result in website delays. No entries will be accepted after 12:00 p.m. EST on November 3, 2015.

Foreign nationals considering filling out a DV-2017 application should carefully review the eligibility requirements and instructions on the DV-2017 website. Each eligible applicant can submit only one application. To maximize this opportunity, however, each eligible family member (child or spouse) is considered a separate applicant and can submit his or her own application.