Diversity Visas
Bangladesh “Graduates” from Diversity Visa Program | 
Congratulations! Bangladesh has sent more than 50,000 new permanent resident visa holders to the United States over the past five years. This is good news and demonstrates that the Diversity Visa program has achieved its goal of welcoming more Bangladeshi citizens into the United States as legal immigrants. In fact, the number of people living in the United States who claim Bangladesh as their country of origin is now estimated at over 500,000.
The Diversity Visa lottery program is a U.S. Congress mandated program to increase the numbers of immigrants from countries with historically low numbers of legal migration to the United States. Because Bangladesh is no longer a country with historically low numbers of legal migration, 2012 will be the last year that the Diversity Visa program is available to Bangladeshis. This puts Bangladesh at an equal level with other countries with high levels of immigration such as China, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Because of Bangladesh is “graduating” from the Diversity Visa program, Bangladeshis should NOT attempt to enroll in the 2013 Diversity Visa program during the October to November 2011 enrollment period. Applicants who attempt to enter the program during this period by using a false country of residence will have their applications invalidated and will forfeit any application fees they pay should they appear for an interview.
Winners of Diversity Visa 2012 are not affected by this announcement. Those who applied in October to November 2010 can check their status online at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ between June 2011 and June 2012. If selected to appear for an interview, winners should proceed with processing their cases and they will be scheduled for an interview between October 2011 and September 2012.
Be wary of potential fraud related to the Diversity Visa program. Individuals may approach you in person or send you emails claiming you have won a Diversity Visa. Be wary of these individuals or email messages. The only way to know if you have won the Diversity Visa lottery is to visit http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ and check your confirmation number using the Entry Status Check.
Diversity Visa Program 2012: Notification
A computer randomly selected individuals from among all qualified entries. DV-2012 program entrants who are not selected for diversity visas will not be contacted. Applicants may check the status of their entry online here.
Diversity Visa Program Fees
Selected program entrants will be provided further instructions, including information on fees associated with immigration to the U.S. The Diversity Visa application fee is currently $330 per person. The application fee is the only fee required. Fees must be paid in cash in either U.S. dollars or Bangladeshi Taka at the following location prior to the applicant’s scheduled interview:
Standard Chartered Bank
189 Gulshan Ave (North)
Gulshan 2, Dhaka 1212
Application fees do not guarantee visa issuance. Application fees are non-refundable, even if a visa is not issued.
Diversity Visa Interview
Selected lottery entrants are scheduled an interview date at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka. Selection in the Diversity Lottery program does not guarantee issuance of visa. Applicants may be disqualified due to:
1. inaccurate or incomplete information on their applications;
2. photographs which do not conform to specifications;
3. prior ineligibilities; or
4. failure to meet program requirements.
If you are married at the time of your DV interview, your spouse and all children (under 21 years old) must accompany you to your interview, regardless of when they plan to travel to the U.S. All family members must pay the application fee prior to the interview date. Be prepared to submit evidence of your marital and family relationships (e.g. nikah nama with certified English translation, wedding photos, etc.) at the time of your scheduled interview.
Diversity Visa interviews cannot be re-scheduled. If a Diversity Visa applicant fails to appear at the scheduled interview, the applicant’s DV-2012 application will be terminated.
Medical Exam Procedures and Costs
All immigrant and diversity visa applicants ages 2-14 will be required to undergo a Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) at the panel physician of their choice. TST tests require two visits to the doctor:
a. first visit to the doctor for the administration of the test
b. second visit for a diagnosis three calendar days later
All applicants ages 2-14 should be prepared to visit the panel physician three days after the initial test.
The new cost for visa applicant’s ages 0-14 is Tk 1600 and visa applicants ages 15 and older is Tk 3000.
If each applicant in your family has not completed their medical exam prior to the interview date and the medical report is not in our hand your entire family cannot be re-scheduled for a new interview date. In this case, the applicant’s DV-2012 application will be terminated.
You must begin your medical tests at least seven days prior to your interview date, as medical exams may take several days or longer to complete. If you fail to do that, we may not receive your medical report prior your interview date and as such your diversity visa interview will not be taken.
You must bring your passport to the panel physician on each visit.
Fraud Warning
There are fraudulent websites posing as official U.S. Government sites. Some companies posing as the U.S. Government have sought money in order to “complete” program entry forms. There is no charge to download and complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form. To learn more see the Department of State Fraud Warning and the Federal Trade Commission Warning.
If you are aware of any fraud associated with the DV program, please e-mail us at dhakadvfraud@state.gov
More Information about the Diversity Visa
To contact the Dhaka Consular Section regarding a pending DV case, please send an e-mail to DhakaDV@state.gov. Please make sure to include your case number, your full name and date of birth of each applicant.