The U.S. government initially announced that it will accept Green Card Lottery 2019 (DV-2019) applications filed between the dates of Wednesday, October 3, 2017, and Wednesday, November 7, 2017. But due to a technical glitch, applications that were filed between October 3rd and 10th have been lost.
Applicants who filed their DV lottery entries during those dates have been asked to reapply for the lottery. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has revised the online registration period for the lottery. The new registration period will begin on Tuesday, October 18, 2017, and conclude on Wednesday, November 22, 2017.
Applications that were received between the above-mentioned dates are invalid. Applicants can submit their lottery entries again and these entries will not be considered as duplicate, according to the DOS. These applicants will not be disqualified for submitting more than one entry. However, applicants who submit multiple entries during the new registration period will be disqualified.
The agency has also asked the applicants to throw away the confirmation numbers they received when they filed their applications between October 3rd and 10th. These applicants will also receive email notifications from the DOS instructing them to check back the agency’s website for an important announcement. Likewise, DOS will also work through overseas U.S. Embassies and Consulates to inform potential entrants of the technical issue and of the new registration period for Green Card Lottery 2019. The agency would use social media and local media outlets to inform applicants.
Winners of DV-2019 would get their immigrant visas in FY 2019. The DOS does not anticipate any further delays in the lottery process. DV-2019 entrants would be able to check the status of their applications beginning May 15, 2018.