USA Visa Lottery 2023: How the Green Card Lottery Works If you have been trying to get an immigrant visa for the US, you may have heard about the diversity visa program, also known as the green card lottery. As the name suggests, this lottery program selects applicants at random and provides them with green cards. But do you know how it works? Find out all about the US Green Card Lottery and whether it can be a good option for you to apply. The US Green Card Lottery is an official program of the United States government. It’s officially called the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, but most people refer to it as the green card lottery. Each year, a set number of green cards are made available through this program. This means that you don’t need a job offer to apply and get a green card through this program. The thing that makes this program unique is that it’s open to anyone in the world who meets certain eligibility requirements. Most other forms of permanent residence in the US require some form of connection to a US employer or family member. If you are eligible for the diversity visa program and want to apply, there’s something else you should know: The application process is entirely free of charge! How the Green Card Lottery Works The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the green card lottery, is a chance for anyone from qualifying countries to get their green card. The DV lottery is designed to ensure plenty of diversity in the U.S. immigrant population. To participate in the lottery, you must meet two basic entry requirements: You must come from a qualifying country. Your spouse and any unmarried children under 21 may also enter with you as long as they are natives of a qualifying country and meet all other eligibility requirements. You must have either a high school education or its equivalent or two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience to perform. Fifty thousand people will be chosen through the green card lottery for permanent residency in the United States each year. Green cards, issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), allow you to live and work permanently in the United States. There are several ways to obtain a green card, including employment, family, and refugee status, but not everyone qualifies. If you are qualified, you may have to wait up to 20 years for some types of family or job status. The Diverse Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, also known as the green card lottery, may be the best alternative for you if you are not eligible or desire to "roll the dice" while waiting for a visa. What are your chances? Every year, the DV program distributes 50,000 immigration visas based on the results of a random drawing. These visas will be distributed among countries with "historically low rates of immigration to the United States." According to the most recent data, nearly 23.2 million people enrolled for the Green Card lottery in the fiscal year 2021. 3 Following notification of the lottery, the first 50,000 people who applied, became the "winners" for that year. The reason for the higher number is that not all of the candidates will be able to start applying for green cards, and some will not be able to finish it. Who Are Green Card-eligible? Determine whether you are eligible for the green card lottery before registering. You must meet the requirements of the country in which you live, as well as the requirements of your qualifications or job experience. Citizens of some countries with historically low immigrant populations in America are granted diversity visas. Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and the Southern Americas are the six geographic regions in which the United States is divided: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and Oceania (including South America, Central America, and Central America, and the Caribbean countries). Every year, the list of countries is subject to change, and it is posted on the Diversity Visa entry instructions. If you were not born in an eligible country, you might still be eligible under the DV program if your spouse was born in an eligible country, both of you are mentioned on the same form, and both plan to enter the United States at the same time. You may also be eligible if you were born in an unqualified country. Still, neither of your parents was born or legally residents of the country when you were born, as long as you have parents born in a qualifying country. Work or education experience In addition to being qualified based on your birth country, you must also complete certain educational or work experience requirements to be eligible for the green card lottery. In essence, you must have a high school education (or equivalent) or two years of work experience in a suitable occupation in the previous five years. This database from the US Department of Labor's O*Net Online database might help you determine if your work experience is sufficient. When should you register The online registration period for the DV Program usually takes place between October 1 and November 1 each year. 6 When it is open, you must join up as soon as feasible. Due to significant site traffic, if you wait until the end of the sign-up period to register, you may be left out. Entries received after the deadline will not be accepted. How and where to register The green card lottery is conducted online, with the English version of the application being used. While your application must be submitted in English, full instructions in various languages can be accessed by following the above guidelines. It's critical to carefully follow the directions and keep track of any required papers, such as your passport number, photos, and so on. It's the US State Department's video tutorial on registering for the green card lottery, which also includes the steps to follow. Beware of the Buyer Many con artists out there will steal your money and exchange it for useless or even dangerous information. You may come across private websites (many of which look to be genuine) that offer everything from green card lottery assistance to recommendations on how to "game the system." Many even provide support to applicants when they apply for the card, although this comes at a cost. You may receive phony letters, emails, or other kinds of communication claiming that you've been chosen as a lottery winner. Here are some things to keep in mind: There will be no cost to enter the green-card lottery. The drawing is produced at random by computers. You can only determine whether you have won by going to www.dvlottery.state.gov (typically beginning May 1). If you're successful and eligible to apply, you'll be required to pay for an amount; however, it must be paid in the presence of a U.S. embassy or consulate. If you suspect you will need professional assistance during the application process, USCIS has many resources to help you. It also includes tools for detecting scammers, such as those mentioned above. The green card lottery does not guarantee you a green card, but it does provide you the opportunity to apply for one. Even though you're participating in an unintended drawing, there are a few legal (and free) ways to increase your chances of winning. If both of you are eligible, you and your spouse can apply. This allows you to win multiple times instead of just one. If one of them wins, the other cannot accept the application and be listed as an heir apparent. Your children are eligible to apply if they meet the academic or work requirements, and there is no limit to the number of applicants from the same family who can be considered. It's important to remember that if one of them wins the challenge, they won't be able to immediately relocate your family to the United States, but they can begin the procedure to do so later. Achieving a Diversity Visa A green card lottery win does not guarantee receiving a green card in the mail. If you're fortunate enough to be able to claim the prize, it means you may have been fortunate enough to apply for a green card. Visit the DV Entrant Status Check link online to see if you were lucky enough to win a lottery on or after May 8. If you've won the lottery, you'll be brought to a confirmation page with more instructions after clicking the link. Waiting List Because there are approximately 125,000 names drawn, but only 50,000 people are eligible for green cards, everyone who is chosen is placed on a waiting list and given a number. 10 If your waitlist is exceptionally long, and 50,000 people in front of you have finished their applications and been approved, you will not be able to apply or even receive a green card. Suppose you're currently residing in the United States in a non-immigrant or another legally recognized status. In that case, the route you'll follow if you're lucky enough to win and be eligible to apply for a green card is through USCIS. Most lottery winners who hold green cards live outside of the United States and go through a consular screening process. The Bottom Line Because applying for the green card lottery is free, even if you're "inline" for your green card through another means, you might be interested in applying for the lottery just in case there's an issue. Even though it is a lottery, the restrictions are very stringent and are outlined in the guidelines. Before submitting, make sure to read them thoroughly. Because you can only apply once a year, you don't want to miss out on your chance to achieve your objective due to a tiny application error. To Get The Latest News On US Visa Lottery, Click HERE FAQs What is a green card? According to the US constitution, A "green card," granted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is proof of lawful permanent resident status, allowing the holder to live and work anywhere in the country. The majority of green cards must be renewed every ten years, although those issued on the basis of marriage or investment must be replaced after the first two years. What is USCIS? The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, is in charge of legal immigration to the United States (DHS). Green cards, naturalization, work permits, travel permits, and other "immigration benefits" are all handled by USCIS. What is a lawful permanent resident? A lawful permanent resident, or "green card holder," is a foreign national who is allowed to live and work in the United States, as well as sponsor certain relatives for green cards, and eventually petition for citizenship in the United States. What is conditional permanent residence? A conditional green card is only valid for two years, and the actual card's identification "CR1" stands for "conditional resident." To "remove the conditions" and receive a permanent green card, a conditional green card holder must file Form I-751. A conditional green card is usually granted to a spouse who has been married for less than two years at the time their green card application was approved Can I work in the U.S. while waiting for my green card? Anyone with a valid work visa (such as an H-1B or L-1 visa) can normally continue working in the United States while applying for a green card in the United States. Green card applicants are not permitted to work in the United States unless they have secured a work permit by completing Form I-765. What is the Visa Bulletin? The Visa Bulletin, published by the US Department of State every month, shows which green card applications can proceed depending on the date the I-130 petition that initiates the green card process was filed. The visa bulletin arises because Congress has set a limit on the amount of green cards that can be awarded in certain categories each year, resulting in many backlogs. What is a biometric screening? A government representative records an individual's fingerprints, photographs, and signature during a biometric screening in order to check government records for any major criminal background or relevant prior immigration infractions. The biometrics appointment is usually brief and straightforward. What is a marriage green card? The law allows most US citizens and green card holders to sponsor their spouses for a green card, often known as "permanent residence status." Several factors influence the total cost, wait time, and other aspects of the marriage green card process. When may I apply for a green card after my marriage? Depending on whether your new spouse is a U.S. citizen or a green card holder, and where you currently live, a marriage-based green card can take anywhere from 10 to 38 months to process. What documents do I need for a marriage green card? The documents needed for a marriage green card vary depending on the situation, but in general, the couple must provide proof that the sponsoring spouse is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, a copy of their marriage certificate, evidence that the marriage is genuine, and evidence that the sponsoring spouse can financially support the spouse seeking a green card. What is the difference between a fiancé visa and a marriage visa? A K-1 visa, sometimes known as a "fiancé visa," is a temporary visa offered solely to fiancés of US citizens who are living outside of the US and plan to marry within 90 days of arriving in the US. A marriage green card is accessible to spouses of US citizens and green card holders, whether they live in the US or overseas, and offers permanent residency. What are the prerequisites for a marriage visa in terms of income? To be eligible for a marriage-based green card, the applicant must have a U.S. financial sponsor (typically the sponsoring spouse) who declares that their yearly income is at least 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines in an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) (100 percent for military sponsors). The exact minimum income requirement — usually $21,137 for a couple without children — is determined by the sponsor's location, home size, and other variables. How should I prepare for my green card interview for marriage? The interview is the final phase in the marriage-based green card procedure, and the interviewing officer's primary purpose is to determine the validity of the marriage. The history of the couple's relationship, as well as their daily activities and future intentions as a married pair, might be covered in marriage green card interview questions. Watch How To Increase Your Chances of Being Selected for US Visa Lottery
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