On August 2, 2023, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and eligible family members from the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. Due to the reduction in embassy staff, the U.S. Embassy’s consular services are focused on providing emergency services to U.S. citizens in Niger.

Visa services, including for Diversity Visas, are not available at this time. Please be advised there is a worldwide statutory annual limit on the number of Diversity Visas issued.  This means there will not be a sufficient number of visas for all those who are initially selected.  When all of the 55,000 diversity visas are issued, the program will end for the year.  Being randomly chosen as a selectee does not guarantee that you will receive a visa interview or a visa.  Selection merely means that the person may be eligible to participate in the DV program.  Selectees who do not receive a visa in one program year are welcome to reapply in future years. Updates on Diversity Visa Program 2023 are listed on travel.state.gov.

The Immigration Act of 1990 established the Diversity Visa (DV) program, where 55,000 immigrant visas would be available in an annual lottery, starting in fiscal year 1995. The lottery aims to diversify the immigrant population in the United States, by selecting applicants mostly from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States in the previous five years.

To apply for a diversity visa, follow the steps on the State Department’s Diversity Visa Process webpage.  Once you have completed those steps, review the instructions given to you by the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC), along with the information presented on this website, for further guidance and instructions.