Permanent Residence Through Diversity Visas

One way to obtain lawful permanent residence in the United States is through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. Each year, 50,000 immigrant visas are issued through a lottery system, also known as the visa lottery or green cards.

The visa lottery can be your best chance to immigrate to the U.S. However, immigration laws can be complicated and the entry limits can be changed at any time. To get specific answers to your questions, talk to an immigration lawyer in your area about the visa lottery.

What Is the U.S. Diversity Immigrant Visa Program?

The National Visa Center of the U.S. Department of State organizes the visa lottery every fiscal year. During this annual drawing, winners of the DV Program visas are chosen at random from eligible entrants.

If you are selected in the diversity visa lottery, then you will have the opportunity to apply for a permanent residency card. And if the petition is approved, you will be authorized to live and work in the United States as a legal immigrant. The benefit also extends to your legitimate spouse and your unmarried children under the age of 21.

This program is real, legal, and there is no cost to participate. The objective is to promote the diversity of immigrants who come to live in the U.S. However, applicants can be targets for scammers and immigration fraud. It is highly recommended only to go to the official online sites of the U.S. government (.gov) to find out about and apply for the diversity visa.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Obtaining Green Cards Through the Diversity Lottery?

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), diversity visas are available to foreign citizens who come from countries with low rates of immigration (fewer than 50,000 immigrants to the United States, during the last five years).

There are a number of countries that do not qualify, like Canada, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. To do this, you should check the list of countries included in the DV Program each year, as this list changes regularly.

A foreign citizen is “eligible” to apply for permanent residence through the DV Program if they meet the following requirements:

• Your country of birth must be an eligible country based on the program criteria, or if your spouse/parent was born in an “eligible” country, you can also participate; and
• Have a secondary education degree equivalent to high school education, or have at least two years of work experience (achieved in the last five years) in an occupation that requires two years of training or preparation.

How To Participate in the Diversity Visa Program

Every year, the State Department publishes explicit instructions on how to enter the draw to win permanent residence in the United States in the visa lottery on its official visa bulletin website (in English). They even advertise it in press releases, on social media, and in the Federal Register, before the lottery starts.

It is very important to follow all directions, as millions of applicants are rejected each year for making mistakes while applying, or for failing to qualify.

Once you determine your “eligibility” requirements, then you can register online. Usually, this is done between October and November. After registering, you should keep your confirmation number until September 30 of the following year.

Some immigrants who are physically present in the U.S may be able to adjust status to get permanent residency through the diversity immigration program. Find out more about adjustment of status from the USCIS or talk to an immigration lawyer.

How Much Does the Green Card Lottery Program Cost?

Participating in the Diversity Visa Program, or the green card lottery is free of charge. They also don’t charge to download and fill out the forms you need. If someone outside of the State Department or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) tries to charge you for these services, you should not pay. However, if you are selected, you will have to pay the official fee and related costs for the immigrant visa.

How Do You Know If You Won the Diversity Visa Lottery?

The only way to know if you won the visa lottery is by checking your status on the official website of the program: Electronic Diversity Visa status check.

The State Department will not send the lottery winners a letter or an email. They will not ask you for money to give you the results or make you download any program or document to find out if you won the lottery. If any of these situations happen to you, it is possible that it is a scam.

The number of selected participants is greater than the number of immigrant visas available, as not all winners qualify for the U.S. visa or do not complete the process. The Diversity Visa Program for the current year ends once the 50 thousand visas are issued. This offers a wide chance to get a visa and obtain permanent residence.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Apply for Residency Through the Diversity Visa?

The U.S. immigration system allows you to do your paperwork yourself, including the Form DS-260. You must be prepared to gather a wide variety of supporting documents, including birth certificates, for both the main applicant and any immediate relatives. You must also complete the forms in English.

Considering this application process for the electronic diversity visa, if you think that you do not have the time or the expertise to complete all the immigration steps and also apply for a green card, it is highly recommended to contact an immigration lawyer.

An experienced diversity visa attorney can help you increase the chances that your entry form will be accepted, avoid delays, and prevent disqualification from the program. An immigration lawyer can also help you with information about waivers and nonimmigrant visas.