Only 17 Irish Nationals Benefited From US Diversity Visa Program
The same source reveals that 13 people from the Republic of Ireland and four from Northern Ireland have benefited from the Green Card scheme, meaning that less than 20 diversity visas have been given to nationals of Ireland out of the 55,000 visas available, AtoZSerwisPlus.comreports.
The 17 winners of the US Diversity Visas were selected randomly from a total of 9.5 million eligible applicants.
Based on the data provided by the US State Department, the number of Ireland, as well as Northern Ireland, recipients is well below compared to those issued to applicants from other countries, including:
- Egypt – 5,529 recipients
- Algeria – 5,526 recipients
- Iran – 5,506 recipients
- Russia – 5,505 recipients
In this regard, the US State Department announced that about 119,262 prospective applicants, also taking into account those selected, their spouses and children, have been registered and notified and can apply for a US immigrant visa.
Following the 1190 US Immigration and Nationality Act, the random selection of US Diversity Visa participants was conducted, which account for about 55,000 permanent resident US visas eligible every year to persons from other countries with low rates of immigration to the US. However, no country is permitted to receive more than 7 per cent of the available visas.
The Diversity Visa Program, also known as the Green Card Lottery program, was introduced by US authorities due to the increased number of Irish citizen workers who work legally in the US after the traditional immigration routes into legal work in the US can be more difficult according to Workpermit.
According to the data provided by Irish Central, in 2022, there were 24 US Diversity visas awarded to citizens from Ireland and three to Northern Ireland citizens. In addition, the figures reveal that in 2021, from the Green Card Lottery benefited a total of 29 citizens from Ireland and four citizens from Northern Ireland.
In 2020, amid the spread of the Coronavirus and the COVID-related restrictions, as of 19 Ireland citizens benefited from the US Diversity Program, and 13 citizens from Northern Ireland.
In 2019, there were 52 Diversity Visas given to Ireland citizens and eight from Northern Ireland; at the same time, in 2018, there were 123 Diversity Visas given to citizens of Ireland and 15 to citizens of Northern Ireland.
