The Diversity Visa Program is an annual lottery run by the U.S. Department of State to allow 50,000 people a chance to get a permanent resident visa to the USA.The visas provided under this program are for natives of countries that have a low rate of immigration to the U.S.You can be disqualified for not filing the forms correctly if you make mistakes during the one month application period for the lottery.It is important to fill out your forms quickly.You can apply for the Green Card Lottery.
Step 1: If you want temporary or permanent admission into the United States, consider it.
Only people who want to become permanent residents of the U.S. can apply for the Green Card Lottery.If you only want to stay in the U.S. temporarily, the Green Card Lottery isn't for you.If you are from an eligible country, you may be eligible for the visa waiver program.The citizens of Canada and Bermuda don't need a visa to visit the U.S. for a short time.
Step 2: Do you qualify for another form of immigrant visa?
If you have a sponsor, such as a family member or employer, or you are eligible for a Special Immigrant Visa, there may be other visa options available to you that aren't subject to a random drawing.Information about these options can be found on the State Department website.If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for the lottery even if you are registered for an immigrant visa in another category.If you do qualify for another type of visa, you may want to apply for the lottery.
Step 3: Determine if you are from a country that is eligible.
The State Department determines which countries are eligible based on low immigration rates for the previous five years.People from ineligible countries cannot participate in the lottery.A complete list of eligible and ineligible countries can be found in the lottery instructions.If your spouse was born in an eligible country, as long as both of you are named on the selected entry, you can enter the United States at the same time.).
Step 4: Determine if you meet the requirement.
To be eligible to apply for the lottery, you have to meet two requirements.You have to have a high school education.If you have worked for two years within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least 2 years of training or experience to perform, you must have successfully completed a 12-year course of elementary and secondary education.O*Net can be found on the U.S. Department of Labor website.
Step 5: Determine if there are any factors that disqualify you.
The lottery isn't a way of skirting the admissibility requirements for permanent residency.If your application is selected during the lottery, factors that would bar your admission to the U.S., such as criminal activity, will still apply.
Step 6: It's a good idea to beware of scam artists.
Don't fall for applications that involve the process.Some applicants have received money requests in connection with their application.There is no application fee for the lottery and the Department of State does not give information via e-mail or regular mail.The Department does not recommend that applicants use a consultant or agent.The confirmation notice with the unique confirmation number should be retained by the applicants if they have someone else prepare and submit the application.
Step 7: Don't get confused by the dates.
Take a few minutes to understand what the years mean.The application period for the year was from October 1 to November 2.The beginning of the 2015 Diversity Immigration Visa Program was marked by the 2013 application period.The program is called the 2015 program because successful applicants will receive their visas during the fiscal year of 2015.
Step 8: You need to gather everything.
Before you start filling out the application, make sure you get all the information you need, and a digital photo for each person who will be included.You only have 60 minutes to complete and submit the application.You can't save or download the form.You will have to start over if you don't complete the form in 60 minutes.You need to know your name, passport number, and country of nationality.The US Department of State implemented a change to reduce the number of fraudulent applications.The country where you were born can be used to claim eligibility for the program.If a same-sex marriage took place in a jurisdiction where such marriages are legal, the same rules apply to visa applications.All living unmarried children under the age of 21 years old, regardless of whether they are living with you or following you to the United States, will be given the same information.Your children include all living natural children, children legally adopted by you, and step-children who are unmarried and under the age of 21 on the date of your electronic entry, even if you are no longer legally married to the child's parent.
Step 9: Take pictures.
You have to provide a recent photograph of yourself, your spouse, and all children listed on your entry.If you include a photograph for a spouse or child who is already a U.S. citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident, you will not be punished.Group photos are not allowed and you must submit a photograph for each individual.If you don't have a digital camera, you can email the non-digital photos to yourself or have someone else take them.
Step 10: Validate photos.
To make sure the photos you submit meet the requirements, go to the lottery website and click on the photo Validator link.
Step 11: You have to fill out the application.
The application needs to be submitted online.It cannot be sent by mail.The application form must be filled out completely.You can include the photos that have been checked.There is an online help link on the lottery website.
Step 12: You need to receive a confirmation number.
When you click on submit, don't close the page until you get a message that your application has been submitted.A confirmation number will be included in this message.If possible, print the confirmation page.You will need the confirmation number in a few months to check the lottery results.
Step 13: You won't get a selection notice.
You will not be contacted by the State Department if you have been selected.Money will not be sent through regular mail or a wire service by the Department.If you get an e-mail from the Department, you'll be directed to review therant status check.
Step 14: Be patient.
After the application period ends, the results will not be available.You can find out if you were selected on the lottery website.The results will be available on May 1, 2014, for the 2013 application period.
Step 15: Check the results.
You can find the results on the lottery website.To check your status, you need your confirmation number, last/ family name, and year of birth.You should check again at a later date if you haven't been selected, as there may be another drawing.
Step 16: Know the time limits.
If you are selected through the lottery, you only have until the end of the fiscal year to apply for a visa.If you applied during the 2013 application period, you will be able to find out about your selection beginning May 1, 2014, and you must apply for and obtain your visa in the 2015 fiscal year, which is October 1, 2014 - September 30, 2015.
Step 17: Follow the instructions.
If you are selected to check on your status, you will receive online instructions on what to do next.Next steps include being interviewed at a U.S. Embassy.
Step 18: As quickly as possible.
50,000 green cards will be issued according to the program.In order to take into account the fact that many of the candidates in the lottery who were selected will probably not meet the requirements to obtain a green card, the DV program actually selects 125,000 people.You will receive a Diversity Visa Rank Order number as soon as you submit your application.The number is located in the Diversity Immigrant Category of the Visa Bulletin.You should look for the region that you live in.50,000 visas will be issued before your application is processed if your Rank Order number is high.
Step 19: If you're already in the United States, consider adjusting your status.
You can apply to the U.S. if you are already in the US.You can change your status to permanent resident with the Citizenship and Immigration Service.To adjust your status, you need to be eligible to do so, and you must make sure that the USCIS can complete action on your Diversity Visa case, including processing your spouse and children during the program's time limits.