Is the Diversity Visa FREE ?
No. There is a big confusion. Only the participation in the Diversity Visa Lottery was free but the winners must pay the visa processing fees.
United States Permanent Resident Card Granted! - Waiting for payment of processing fee US $785.00
Although the Diversity Visa participation was free, the law and regulations require to every diversity visa winner to pay a visa processing fee of US $785.00. The Diversity Visa (Green Card) is guaranteed upon receiving the payment. The per person fee for each Diversity Visa is US $785.00, payable in U.S. dollars or equivalent of your local currency. This US $785.00 fee is the only fee a winner needs to pay throughout the entire relocation process. Accompanying family members (wife/husband, fiancee, brothers, sisters, childrens, cousins) may be included in the program and their visas will be provided at the same time with yours so you can travel/move together in the same time. However the fees must be paid per person and each member(e.g wife, brother, parents, childrens, cousin) must pay US $785.00. There is no discount for childrens.
Please note that you are allowed to take with you as many family members you want. However for each person you must pay an additional amount of US $785.00. For example if you decide to move in the United States with your wife and a kid the total fee is US $785.00 (your fee) + US $785.00 (your wife's fee) + US $785.00 (your kid's fee) = US $2,355.00.
PURPOSE: The U.S. Department of State uses the fee payment primarily to process your visa related documents and verify your identity. Also you will get plane tickets for your travel. You can use the tickets at any time you want to move in the United States or just travel.