The diversity visa program, also known as the green card lottery, is a program run by the U.S. Department of State that allows people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States to apply for a diversity visa. If selected in the lottery, applicants are allowed to immigrate to the United States and receive permanent resident status (a green card). So in short, winning the diversity visa lottery does give you a green card. However, the process has many steps and requirements, which this article will outline.
What is the diversity visa program?
The diversity visa program is a congressionally-mandated lottery program that allows up to 55,000 people each year from countries with historically low levels of immigration to the U.S. to obtain permanent resident status. The program aims to encourage immigration from diverse parts of the world.
People born in countries with more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. over the past 5 years do not qualify for the diversity visa lottery. This includes large countries like Mexico, Canada, China, India, the Philippines, and others with high levels of immigration already. Generally, countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia qualify.
Each year, millions of people apply for the diversity visa lottery. Only 55,000 are selected through a randomized computer drawing. If selected, you can then apply for permanent residence if you meet eligibility requirements.
Diversity visa requirements
To enter the diversity visa lottery, you must meet the following requirements:
– Be a native of a qualifying country. This is generally determined by where you were born. Your country of current citizenship or residence does not matter.
– Have a high school education or equivalent work experience. You must have completed 12 years of elementary and secondary education or have 2 years of qualifying work experience in the last 5 years in an occupation requiring 2 years of training or experience.
– Have no criminal record. You must not have any felony or serious misdemeanor convictions. Some minor offenses like driving under the influence could also disqualify you.
To be issued a green card after being selected in the lottery, you must also:
– Submit all required documentation, including photos, passport, police certificates, birth certificates, and more.
– Pass background checks performed by the U.S. government. You cannot have a criminal record, security issues, health problems, or other red flags.
– Be otherwise admissible to the United States. For example, you cannot have previously been deported or have overstayed visas.
– Pay required visa fees.
– Have a high school degree or equivalent or have 2 years of work experience in the past 5 years in a qualifying occupation.
– Pass an interview with a consular officer who will determine if you are eligible to receive a green card.
So in summary, winning the diversity visa lottery is just the first step. You must still successfully complete the green card application process. About half of lottery selectees ultimately obtain permanent residence status.
Who is eligible to enter the diversity visa lottery?
As mentioned above, there are a few key requirements to be eligible for the diversity visa lottery:
– Country of birth – You must have been born in an eligible country. This is generally determined by country of birth listed on your birth certificate or passport. There are some exceptions made for spouses and children of qualifying individuals.
– Education/work experience – You must have completed high school or an equivalent level of education. This is minimum 12 years of schooling. Alternately 2 years of work experience in the last 5 years in a job requiring specialized training or experience is acceptable.
– No criminal record – You must not have any serious criminal convictions or offenses. Some minor crimes may also disqualify you depending on the circumstances.
Some other notable eligibility rules:
– Photos – You must submit a digital photo through the online lottery application that meets very specific criteria. Photos that don’t meet requirements will disqualify you.
– Birth date – You must be born before 2005 to enter. There is no max age limit.
– Marital status – Married applicants must include their spouse on the entry form, even if the spouse was born in an ineligible country.
– Children – Unmarried children under 21 can be included on a parent’s entry form and will also receive a green card if their parent wins.
– Country limits – No single country can receive more than 7% of the total diversity visas each year. So some individuals from countries with high application rates may be passed over.
So in summary, eligibility revolves around your country of birth, education/work experience, criminal record, and demographic situation. Violations of any of these can get you disqualified.
What are the steps for entering the green card lottery?
Entering the diversity visa lottery involves these primary steps:
1. Determine if you meet all eligibility requirements. Confirm your country of birth qualifies and that you meet education/work criteria and have no disqualifying criminal history.
2. Submit your electronic diversity visa entry during the open registration period. This includes forms, photos, and other required information. Entries can only be submitted online.
3. Check the results of the lottery when they are announced. This is usually in the first half of the year following the lottery. You can check online to see if you were selected.
4. If selected, begin collecting all required documents for your diversity visa application. This includes information like birth certificates, passports, photos, and police certificates showing you have no criminal record.
5. Submit your complete diversity visa application package to the relevant consular office. This must be done within the time window given, often 60 days or less.
6. Complete an in-person interview when scheduled at the consular office. They will verify your eligibility to be issued an immigrant visa.
7. If approved after the interview, pay required visa fees and undergo medical exams. Pick up your visa package when ready.
8. Enter the U.S. within the timeframe allotted after visa issuance, often within 6 months.
9. Apply to adjust status to permanent resident after arriving in the U.S. You will receive your actual green card within a few months.
So in summary, entering the lottery is just the beginning. You still have to complete the full visa application process if selected.
What are the steps after winning the green card lottery?
If you are lucky enough to be selected in the diversity visa lottery, there are still numerous steps required before you will receive your green card:
1. Confirm selection online and complete the DS-260 immigrant visa application form. This provides key information they will use during processing.
2. Gather all required civil documents. This includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates, passports, photos, and more. Everything must be translated to English.
3. Submit your immigrant visa application package to the National Visa Center. This must be done promptly within the timeframe given, often 60 days or less after notification.
4. Complete a medical examination with an approved doctor once you have submitted your documents. The results will be shared with the consulate.
5. Attend your visa interview at the U.S. consulate when scheduled. They will confirm you are eligible for a diversity visa and don’t have issues that would make you inadmissible.
6. Obtain your visa after successfully completing the interview. You must then travel to the U.S. within the time specified, typically within 6 months.
7. When you arrive, you will be processed for entry as a lawful permanent resident. You will receive your actual green card in the mail a few weeks/months later.
8. Submit an Application to Register Permanent Residence to USCIS within 90 days to get your 10-year green card.
So in summary, there are still about 8 major steps left after being selected in the lottery. The entire process takes many months. Patience and persistence are required.
How long is the process after winning the green card lottery?
The diversity visa process can take 12-18 months to complete after being selected:
– 1-2 months to complete required forms and gather documents after selection
– 2-4 months for the National Visa Center to review your application
– 1-3 months to get scheduled for a visa interview after your forms are submitted
– 1-2 months for visa processing after the interview
– You then must enter the U.S. within 6 months of being issued a visa
– 1-2 months after arriving in the U.S. to get your actual green card
So at minimum, expect the process to take about 12 months start to finish. Delays are common, so it may take up to 18 months in some cases. The key is getting all required paperwork submitted promptly after winning the lottery. Background checks and application reviews can cause delays.
The most time-sensitive steps are submitting all your materials to the National Visa Center within 60 days of selection and entering the U.S. within 6 months of visa issuance. Not meeting these deadlines can get your lottery selection cancelled, so those are the most critical steps time-wise. The rest of the process you just have to be patient as the various government agencies review your case.
What are the costs involved in getting your green card after winning the lottery?
If you win the diversity visa lottery, there are a number of costs involved in obtaining your actual green card:
– Diversity visa lottery entry – Free (no cost to initially enter lottery)
– DV administrative fee – $330 per person once selected
– Medical examination – Approximately $200-300 per person
– Interview travel costs – Variable, can include airfare, hotel, transportation
– Visa application fee – $220 per person
– Affidavit of support review – $120 per form
– USCIS immigrant fee – $220 per person
– Green card production – $220 per person
– Translation services – Variable, around $50-150 per document
So in total, expect to spend around $1500-2000 per adult diversity visa recipient for the entire process including fees, medical screening, travel, and green card production. Costs can be higher if you need extensive translation services or have local travel difficulties getting to a consular office. Having dependents like a spouse or children will also increase total costs. Make sure you budget appropriately as you cannot obtain your green card without paying all required fees.
Can I bring family members if I win the green card lottery?
If you win the diversity visa lottery, you can bring certain family members with you to the United States:
Spouse – You can include your husband or wife on your original entry form. If you get married after submitting your lottery entry, you can still bring your spouse once you get selected.
Unmarried children under 21 – Your kids can be included on your original lottery application and processed together with you. They must remain unmarried until they obtain permanent residence.
Some important notes about bringing family:
– Your spouse can be born in any country, they do not have to be from a qualifying diversity visa country.
– Married children cannot derive status from your diversity visa. However, they may be eligible for their own diversity visa.
– Underage children can be born in any country but must be unmarried and under 21 at the time you become a permanent resident.
– Children who turn 21 or get married after you win but before getting your green card may lose eligibility to immigrate with you.
So in summary, spouses and unmarried young children can generally come with you. But talk to an immigration attorney if you have complex family situations to ensure you proceed properly. Getting immigration advice is recommended before entering the lottery.
Do I have to stay at the same job after getting the diversity visa green card?
No, you do not have to stay at the same job after receiving your green card through the diversity visa lottery. The diversity visa is not tied to a specific employer or job.
Once you receive your green card, you have permanent residence in the United States and can live and work wherever you want. Green card holders are free to change jobs or employers at any time without it impacting their status.
The only requirement related to work is that diversity visa selectees must have either a high school education or the equivalent of 2 years of work experience in a job requiring training in the 5 years prior to submitting the lottery application. This qualifications requirement ensures applicants will be able to support themselves after immigrating.
But after receiving your green card, your job or employer does not matter for the purpose of maintaining your permanent resident status. The diversity visa is not linked to any particular position or field. You are free to pursue any opportunity. Just don’t abandon your residence in the U.S. or stay abroad too long, as that could put your green card at risk for abandonment.
In summary, feel free to change jobs or employers freely once you obtain your green card through the diversity visa lottery. Your employment does not affect your status.
Can I apply for citizenship once I have had a green card through the diversity visa lottery for 5 years?
Yes, diversity visa lottery winners can apply for U.S. citizenship once they have held their green card for at least 5 years.
The normal eligibility rules for naturalization apply:
– You must have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years.
– You must demonstrate continuous residence in the U.S. for at least 5 years. You cannot have taken lengthy trips abroad.
– You must be at least 18 years old.
– You must demonstrate good moral character. Avoid criminal issues.
– You must pass the English and civics tests.
– You must take the Oath of Allegiance.
Diversity visa holders have the same path to U.S. citizenship as any other green card holder. The 5 year countdown begins on the date you officially became a permanent resident as shown on your green card.
In summary, diversity visa lottery winners can absolutely become U.S. citizens after holding their green card for 5 years and meeting all other naturalization requirements. The diversity visa program provides the same long-term benefits and options as other paths to permanent residence.
Conclusion
Winning the diversity visa lottery is an exciting first step to receiving a green card, but it involves a long process with many requirements along the way before you actually obtain permanent resident status. While the lottery itself is free to enter, there are numerous administrative fees and costs involved in getting your green card. Furthermore, you have to complete all the steps like document submission, background checks, and an interview without having any issues flagged. It can take over 12 months finishing the entire process after being selected in the lottery. With persistance and patience, diversity visa winners who meet all the eligibility critera can receive a green card allowing them to live and work permanently in the United States, with a path to citizenship available 5 years later.