The Easiest Way to Get a U.S. Green Card
A green card granted by the USCIS allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. Not everyone is eligible for a green card, which can be obtained through family, job, or refugee, or asylee status. Even if you meet the criteria, wait for durations for specific family or work status categories might last up to 20 years.
According to the most current data available, more than 23.2 million individuals filed for the green card lottery in the fiscal year 2021.
If you don’t meet the requirements or wish to “roll the dice” while waiting, the (DV) Program, often known as the green card lottery, may be right for you.
The “winners” for that year were the first 50,000 people to register after being notified. The reason for the huge number of names drawn is that not everyone who is picked will start the green-card application process, and some of those who do will abandon it halfway through.
What Are the Requirements for a Green Card?
You must first establish whether you are qualified for the green card lottery before registering. In terms of both nation and education or work experience, you must be eligible.
Easiest Way to Get a U.S. Green Card
Work Experience or Education
To register for the green card lottery, you must fulfill specific academic and job experience requirements in addition to your country of birth.
In general, you must have either high school graduation (or equivalent) or two years of experience in a qualifying occupation within the previous five years.
Country
Diversity visas are granted to citizens of countries in six geographic regions with historically low rates of immigration to the United States, and the Southern Americas. The list of countries is updated every year and is provided on the Diversity Visa entrance instructions. You may still be qualified for the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program if your spouse was born in an eligible country, both of you are named on the same entry, and both of you intend to visit the United States at the same time.
You may also qualify if you were born in an ineligible nation but neither of your parents was born in or legal residents of that country at the time of your birth, providing one of your parents was born in an eligible country.
How to Register and Where to Register
Only the English-language version of the green card lottery is available for registration.
Although you must submit your application in English, by going to the above-mentioned website, you may get detailed instructions in a variety of languages. You must read the instructions carefully and take careful note of any required documentation, such as your passport number, and other details.
The processes are also explained in a video lesson from the US State Department on how to register for the green card lottery.
Beware of the Buyer
Scammers are lurking around every corner, ready to take your money in exchange for useless or even hazardous information.
You could come across private websites that offer everything from green card lottery winning advice to secrets to help you “game the system.” Some will even offer to help you with your application for a fee.
Here’s what you should be aware of:
- The artwork is computer-generated and random.
- The green card lottery is completely free to enter.
- You must pay a fee in person at a United States Embassy or Consulate if you win and are authorized to apply.
- The only way to discover out if you’ve won is to go to www.Dvlottery.State.Gov (typically beginning May 1).
- Winning the green card lottery does not guarantee you a green card; rather, it allows you to apply.
- If you believe you may require professional assistance with your application, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has several options available. This section covers the above-mentioned strategies for identifying scam artists.
How to Improve Your Chances of Obtaining a Diversity Visa
Even though you are entering a random lottery, there are a few real (and cheap) ways to improve your chances of winning.
Both you and your spouse should apply if you are both eligible. You now have two opportunities to win instead of one. If one of you wins, the other can apply as a derivative spouse and the other’s application will be ignored.
Your children should also apply if they fulfill the educational or work experience requirements, as there is no restriction on the number of eligible members of the same family who can apply. It’s worth mentioning that if one of them wins, they won’t be able to fly you to America straight soon. But they will be able to start a procedure that will ultimately get you there.
List of people on hold
Because only 50,000 people are eligible for a green card out of about 125,000 names chosen, everyone whose name is drawn is placed on a waiting list and assigned a number.
You won’t have an opportunity to apply, much alone obtain a green card, if your waiting list number is high and there are 50,000 individuals ahead of you who have also successfully finished their papers.
Becoming a Diversity Visa Recipient
If you win the green card lottery, you will not instantly receive a green card in the mail. If you’re fortunate enough to win, it simply means you’ve won the chance to apply for a green card. By going to the DV Entrant Status Check page online on or after May 8, you may discover out if you are a lottery winner.
You will be sent to a confirmation page with extra instructions if you are the winner.
Currently residing outside of the United States
The vast majority of green card lottery winners live outside of the United States and are processed through the consulate.
Currently residing in the United States
If you are currently a non-immigrant or have another sort of legal status in the United States, you will apply for a green card through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if you win the lottery and are granted a green card.
Final Thoughts
Because filing for the green card lottery is free, even if you are already “in line” for a green card through another route, you may want to consider doing so just in case.
