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Is it easy to get Green Card Lottery?

The Green Card Lottery, also known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, is a program run by the U.S. State Department that allows people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States to apply for a green card. Only 50,000 green cards are available each year through the lottery. With millions of people applying every year, being selected for the green card lottery is very competitive. So is it easy to get the green card lottery? Let’s take a closer look at the program’s requirements and odds of being selected.

Green Card Lottery Requirements

To be eligible for the green card lottery, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a native of a qualifying country – The applicant’s country of birth must have sent less than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous 5 years. This excludes those born in countries like India, China, Mexico, Philippines etc.
  • Have a high school education or equivalent – At minimum, the applicant must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Have at least 2 years of work experience – In the last 5 years, the applicant must have at least 2 years of work experience in an occupation requiring at least 2 years of training.
  • Meet health and criminal requirements – Applicants must pass a medical exam and background check.

In addition, spouses and minor children of the primary applicant can be included on the application. The applicant must also submit recent photos meeting the specifications and fill out the online application accurately during the registration period.

Odds of Being Selected

The odds of being selected in the green card lottery depend on the number of applicants and visas available each year. Here are some key statistics:

  • Around 14 million people apply every year for 50,000 available visas.
  • This means there is less than 1% chance of being selected through the lottery.
  • Certain countries have higher selection rates than others. For example, in FY2021 people from Nepal had a 5.1% selection rate while people from Ghana had a 0.8% selection rate.
  • Having an education, work experience, and other skills can slightly improve your chances.
  • Submitting multiple applications does not improve your odds but can lead to disqualification.

Based on the very low odds of winning, being selected for the green card lottery essentially comes down to chance. Having eligibility requirements met helps get your foot in the door, but luck plays a major role.

Steps for Entering the Green Card Lottery

Here is a step-by-step overview of how to enter the green card lottery:

  1. Check your eligibility – Make sure you meet all the requirements listed earlier.
  2. Submit your application – Applications must be submitted electronically during the designated registration period, typically in October each year.
  3. Submit a photo – A digital photo meeting specifications must be uploaded as part of the application.
  4. Double check for errors – Mistakes can lead to disqualification so verify all information is correct before submitting.
  5. Receive confirmation number – Once registration is complete, you will get a confirmation number to use to check your status.
  6. Check lottery results – Results are released the following May. You can check online with your confirmation number to see if you were selected.

While the process seems straightforward, carefully following instructions and paying the required fees is critical. Even small mistakes can get an application rejected.

Can Increasing Your Odds of Selection?

Since winning the green card lottery is very difficult, some people look for ways to improve their chances. Here are a few things people try, but none are guaranteed to work:

  • Apply from a country with higher selection rates – Countries like Nepal and Egypt tend to have better odds than places like India and Mexico that have higher immigration rates.
  • Have an advanced degree or other skills – More education and rare skills seems to help but only marginally.
  • Apply with a spouse – Married applicants tend to have slightly better odds, but there are no guarantees.
  • Submit the earliest possible – Some people think applying right when registration opens can help.

At the end of the day, no strategy can override the random selection process. Since so many people apply from around the world, being chosen comes down to luck.

Can You Enter Multiple Times?

Each person can only submit one green card lottery application per year. You cannot improve your chances by submitting multiple applications. In fact, submitting more than one application can get you disqualified.

The State Department uses sophisticated software to detect multiple entries. If you submit more than one application:

  • All your applications will be disqualified.
  • You will be barred from the program for the next year as penalty.
  • Your spouse will also be disqualified if they submitted a separate application.

It is better to put time into submitting one high quality application than trying to cheat the system with multiple entries. Focus your efforts on making sure you meet all requirements and complete the application accurately.

Application Fees

To process each lottery application, a small fee must be paid:

  • The current application fee amount is $330 per applicant.
  • Fees must be paid online by debit or credit card at the time you submit the application.
  • The application will not be complete until the payment has been made.
  • The fee covers processing costs and is non-refundable if you are not selected.

In addition to the application fee, those selected in the lottery will need to pay visa processing fees later on. These include fees for medical exams and a visa interview. So applicants should factor in that additional costs will come if chosen to move forward.

Key Dates and Deadlines

If you want to apply for the green card lottery, it is important to know the timeline of key dates:

  • October – November – Registration period for submitting applications.
  • May – Results are announced and selectees notified.
  • September 30 – Last day selectees can receive a visa number.
  • September 30 – Deadline for final visa processing steps for lottery winners.

During the registration period, the entry form typically opens in early October and closes in early November. This is the only time applications are accepted. Results are announced in May of the following year.

Those selected in the lottery then have until September 30 to complete all processing and be issued their green card. The whole process takes nearly a year from first entering the lottery to final visa issuance.

Countries Not Eligible for the Green Card Lottery

While the green card lottery is open worldwide, there are some countries that do not qualify. If you were born in any of the following countries, you are not eligible:

  • Bangladesh
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • China (Hong Kong and Taiwan included)
  • Colombia
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Haiti
  • India
  • Jamaica
  • Mexico
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • South Korea
  • United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland)
  • Vietnam

Countries are excluded if they have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the past five years. Native citizens of the countries above do not qualify for the lottery. The list of eligible countries changes slightly each year based on immigration rates.

Notification of Selection

If you are lucky enough to be selected in the green card lottery, how will you find out? There are a few ways you may be notified:

  • Selection letter – The State Department will mail you an official letter confirming selection.
  • Entrant Status Check – You can check the lottery website to see if you were selected.
  • KCC email – The Kentucky Consular Center may email those selected.

However, scammers will also contact people claiming they were selected in an attempt to extort money or steal personal information. Any notification should direct you to review Entrant Status Check on the official government website for confirmation.

Being skeptical of any phone call, email, or letter informing you that you were selected is wise. Only trust the State Department’s official channels of communication and check your status directly on the online system.

Next Steps If Selected

Receiving the exciting news that you were one of the 50,000 people selected for the green card lottery is just the beginning. If you are chosen, these are the next steps required to complete the process:

  1. Confirm selection online – Check Entrant Status Check to validate you were picked.
  2. Complete background checks – Fingerprinting and police certificates will be required.
  3. Gather civil documents – Documents like birth certificates and marriage licenses need to be submitted.
  4. Complete medical exam – You must have a medical exam with vaccination records.
  5. Interview at U.S. consulate – You will need to interview with a consular officer when your visa number is current.
  6. Pay visa fees – Fees of a few hundred dollars are required at the interview.
  7. Obtain green card – Your temporary visa becomes a permanent green card when you enter the U.S.

The entire process takes considerable time, effort, and money. After the lottery, winners still have a long road ahead with no guarantee of getting a green card. Proper paperwork and qualification at each step is required.

Green Card Lottery Scams

Unfortunately, many scams exist trying to take advantage of green card lottery applicants:

  • Fake selection notifications via phone, email, or letter demanding payment.
  • Offers for assistance in winning the lottery for a fee.
  • Requests for bank account details to deposit lottery winnings.
  • Companies claiming to increase your chances of winning.
  • Fake websites mimicking the official lottery website.

Remember, there is no way to increase your chances of winning the lottery. Be wary of anyone who contacts you requesting money or personal information. Only use the official U.S. State Department website for your application and status check.

Hiring a Lawyer

You do not need to hire an immigration lawyer to enter the green card lottery. The application process can be completed yourself online. However, if you are selected, an experienced immigration attorney can assist with:

  • Checking your eligibility and qualifications.
  • Preparing documentation and forms you will need.
  • Representing you in visa interviews.
  • Guiding you through the entire green card process.

While costly, a lawyer reduces chances of errors and increases odds of success if chosen. Many lottery winners hire legal help later in the process even if they applied directly the first time.

Conclusion

The green card lottery offers the chance to legally immigrate to the United States despite the normally strict eligibility requirements. However, with only 50,000 green cards available each year and millions of applicants, being chosen is extremely difficult. Having education, work experience, and language skills can help improve your chances slightly compared to the average applicant. But at its core, selection comes down to an unpredictable lottery draw.

If fortunate enough to have your name drawn, be prepared for an extensive process with forms, interviews, exams, and fees required before you will have a green card. While winning the lottery brings excitement and hope, it is just the initial step in the long and complex process of immigration. Hiring a lawyer at that point provides valuable assistance to navigate the system.

Overall, obtaining one of the coveted green cards through the lottery is rare but not impossible. With the low odds, it requires luck. However, the only way to have a chance at all is to meet the qualifications and properly submit an application. Even if the chances are slim, putting your name in the green card lottery each year is worth the minimal effort for the potential payoff of lawful permanent residency in the United States. Just be cautious of scams and always use official government sources for information and application submission. With persistence and luck, the green card lottery can make your American immigration dreams come true.