Starting May 5, 2015, entrants for the Diversity Visa Program can check the status of their applications on the website, says the US Embassy Colombo.

Entrants should retain confirmation receipts until September 30, 2016.

The Department of State advises the public to be careful about a notable increase in fraudulent emails and letters sent to applicants. The scammers behind these fraudulent emails and letters are posing as the U.S. government in an attempt to extract payment from DV applicants. There are no hidden fees in the Diversity Visa program. Selected applicants for the Diversity Visa program will be required to pay $330 USD in person only at their interview at the U.S. Embassy beginning October 1, 2015.

Diversity Visa applicants must check their status online, and will not receive a notification letter, email, or phone call from the U.S. government. DV Entry Status Check will only be provided through the Department of State secure online site, http://www.dvlottery.state.gov.

For further information on the Diversity Visa Program, please visit the State Department website at www.travel.state.gov or the U.S. Embassy Colombo website at http://srilanka.usembassy.gov