Green Card / Diversity Lottery

Each year, the U.S. Government distributes 50,000 Green Cards to applicants who are citizens of other countries.  This process is referred to variously as the “Green Card” or “Diversity Lottery”.  This lottery is open to eligible individuals from countries with historically low levels of immigration.  None of these visas are available for people who come from countries that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the past five years.  A person who is selected in the lottery is allowed to bring his/her spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21 to the United States. 

It is important to understand that mere selection as a winner in the diversity visa lottery does not automatically guarantee an applicant will be issued a visa, even if the applicant is completely qualified.  The number of entries selected is greater than the number of immigrant visas available, due to the fact that not everyone chosen will be qualified for the visa or will choose to complete the processing.  Once all 50,000 visas have been issued, the diversity visa program for the year will end.  Therefore it is vital to work with a firm that can move rapidly once an applicant has been selected.  Being selected is only the beginning of the process not the end!

AM I ELIGIBLE?

To be eligible, you or your spouse must be a native of a country that is eligible to participate in the Diversity Visa Lottery.  You may also be eligible to apply if your parent was born in a country that is eligible to participate.  We can tell you if you are from or have connections to a country that is eligible to participate in the lottery.

An applicant must have a high school diploma or the equivalent, defined in the United States as successful completion of a 12-year course of elementary and secondary education; OR you must have two years of work experience within the last five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience to perform.  Millions of applicants are rejected each year for failure to file their application correctly.  We can insure that the application process is done correctly, thereby giving an applicant the best possible chance of being selected.

WHEN DO I APPLY?

The application process typically begins in October but you should contact our office for the most up to date information regarding when applications will be accepted.  If an applicant misses the application deadline there is no recourse other than to wait until next year.

For more information please contact us.