I have compiled a table that includes last couple of years info for EU only (sorry I might do that for other areas if time permits)
Hope this info would be useful for those still waiting to be current....
View attachment 18179
DV October November December January February March April May June July August September
2002 12,800 15,150 16,600 19,000 Current Current
2003 8,100 14,000 15,850 18,000 19,125 22,500 26,250 29,550 33,000 36,000 37,200 39,100
2004 8,000 10,100 13,900 15,000 15,600 17,800 19,000 20,000 21,300 23,350 25,900 28,700
2005 10,850 10,850 13,000 14,900 16,600 17,150 18,200 20,000 20,500 20,500 20,500 20,500
2006 3,000 3,900 5,500 6,800 8,300 9,850 11,225 12,850 14,200 15,250 16,000 Current
2007 3,450 5,700 7,700 9,900 10,400 13,175 15,100 16,000 19,000 23,000 Current Current
2008 5,800 9,200 11,100 13,600 15,300 17,600 20,625 23,500 26,000 29,000 Current Current
2009 6,600 11,000 12,900 15,400 17,100 19,800 20,800 24,900 28,000 Current Current Current
2010 9,100 9,500 12,400 19,750 22,400 24,700 26,300 29,250 31,000 32,000 Current Current
2011 9,600 12,500 13,600 15,400
I was told by my lawyer that it is possible that one may not be able to obtain the GC even if the number is less than 50,000. Although based on previous posts for '09 and '10 it seems like GC are being approved all the way till the end of the fiscal year.
For example, if a DV winner with a family of three (wife and a kids) gets approved, then 3 visas will be deducted from the 50,000 visas.