22. HOW LONG DO APPLICANTS WHO ARE SELECTED REMAIN ENTITLED TO APPLY FOR VISAS IN THE DV CATEGORY?

Persons selected in the DV-2009 lottery are entitled to apply for visa issuance only during fiscal year 2009, from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009. Applicants must obtain the DV visa or adjust status by the end of the fiscal year. There is no carry-over of DV benefits into the next year for persons who are selected but who do not obtain visas during FY-2009. Also, spouses and children who derive status from a DV-2009 registration can only obtain visas in the DV category between October 2008 and September 2009. Applicants who apply overseas will receive an appointment letter from the Kentucky Consular Center four to six weeks before the scheduled appointment.