A diversity visa lottery can be a fantastic opportunity for some families to relocate to the US. Unfortunately, this program imposes stringent eligibility criteria that may limit who qualifies. What do you think about Live Draw SDY?
Example: Applicants must hail from countries with low rates of immigration into the U.S. – this list is published each year by the State Department – and possess either a high school education or equivalent work experience.
What is the Diversity Visa Lottery?
The Diversity Visa Lottery is a program where people from countries with low rates of immigration to the US may enter a lottery to secure legal permanent residency (green cards). If selected, winners can live and work in America alongside their families – no family or employment connections need to be proven in order to win this opportunity.
Under the Immigration Act of 1990, up to 50,000 visas are made available each year to immigrants who meet specific qualifications. The Department of State administers the Diversity Visa program; winning a lottery doesn’t guarantee you one!
To enter the lottery, applicants must possess either a high school diploma or equivalent, two years of qualifying work experience, a valid email address, and a social security number; additionally, there may be additional criteria, such as being from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S.
As it should be noted, the lottery is free. Anyone asking for fees is likely trying to scam immigrant hopefuls. Once a DV lottery winner receives their numerical rank number, they can file an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status Form I-485 with USCIS for green card application processing; this could take several months once received by USCIS.
Who is Eligible for the Diversity Visa Lottery?
If you were born in a country that does not send many immigrants to the US, this program could be for you. Every year, there are only so many DV visas available, with applicants selected at random by computer; no single nation may receive more than seven percent of them in any given year.
Depending on how many people win the lottery, your application for a green card with USCIS could take several months or years before being approved and issued a visa. While waiting, you will live temporarily as a “non-immigrant.”
To receive your green card from USCIS, you will have to pass an interview and demonstrate either a high school education or two years of work experience in an occupation that requires two years or more of training. Furthermore, medical and security checks must also be passed.
Even with its relatively low barrier of entry, the diversity visa lottery may not be suitable for everyone. Immigration attorneys know the ins and outs of this process, and while hiring one will not increase your odds of success in winning, having one on hand could ensure a smooth journey through it all. Since the Department of State often selects more applicants than there are green cards available, acting swiftly if set is essential to success.
How Do I Apply for the Diversity Visa Lottery?
The Department of State offers detailed program entry instructions each year, and applicants for the Diversity Visa Lottery may submit an online application free of charge that takes less than half an hour to complete. You will need a photo that meets government specifications; information on your spouse and any children you have (adopted and step); information regarding either living together or separate immigration plans; same-sex married couples must include each other whether living together or planning different immigrating processes are in play; any siblings born outside the U.S. (even if present); as well as siblings born outside this country if applicable.
Once the application period closes, the Department of State will publish a list of winners. This typically happens around May of each year; if you apply, entering your confirmation number on the lottery website allows you to check on its status.
Winners have only a short amount of time to submit their paperwork and undergo rigorous security screening, such as identity verification, criminal background checks, cross-checks against various watch lists, and in-person interviews. Furthermore, applicants must undergo screening checks for any family members they intend to bring with them.
Even though your odds of winning may be slim, a lottery offers a practical pathway for immigrants who do not meet other immigration criteria. If successful, winning can provide fast application processing at USCIS and fast approval of a green card application.
When Can I Check My Status for the Diversity Visa Lottery?
The Department of State releases the results of the Diversity Visa Lottery each May following its entry period. If you were successful, you can access their Entrant Status Check page using your confirmation number and other identifying data to check for selection. Be sure to keep it safe since you will also need it when applying for immigrant visas at U.S. consulates or embassies abroad.
If you have been selected, the Entrant Status Check will display your selection notification and rank number. As this number will play an integral part in your application process, it’s advisable to familiarize yourself with it. Your rank number reveals your place in the visa processing queue; those with higher rank numbers typically experience faster processing. For further insight, compare it with the State Department’s monthly Visa Bulletin.
Most winners of the Diversity Visa Lottery reside outside of the United States and must submit Form DS-260 to the National Visa Center to apply for their green cards and come to America. This process typically takes four or five years, so if selected, it may be wise to consult an immigration attorney regarding meeting all requirements necessary to acquire your visa.
