The U.S. Lottery Visa or Diversity Visa system operated by the U.S. State department is a way to boost the diversity of immigrants coming to live in the United States.
Every year, the U.S. Lottery Visa system requires 50,000 randomly chosen individuals from countries who do not send many immigrants to receive permanent residency. It is a way for people and families who would otherwise have any way to lawfully immigrate and get a green card in the United States.
Entry to the Diversity Visa lottery requires filling out a basic online application, which has no fees. You will enter the lottery every year from the beginning of October to the beginning of November. Winners are chosen automatically by a computer, and they and their immediate families earn green cards.
The Eligibility Criterion for US Visa Lottery
There are two essential factors to be considered for a person to become eligible for U.S. Visa Lottery, as mentioned below.
State of Nativity to be eligible for US Visa Lottery
To be eligible for U.S. Lottery Visa, you must have been born in a nation that has sent less than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the last five years. There are some annual differences in qualifying countries. Still, China, India, Canada, United Kingdom never make a list as they all send a significant number of immigrants to the United States.
If your home country is not qualified, there are two options you could apply for the Visa.
- When your spouse is born in a qualifying country, you should apply with your spouse by selecting the birth country of your spouse on your form.
- If parents either a father or mother is a permanent resident of your own country of birth, you may choose the birth country of your mother or father.
Education pre-requisite for US Visa
The second necessary prerequisite for Visa applicants is that you should have at least a bachelor’s degree or at least two years of experience over the last five years in a profession that needs at least two years of training, as defined by the United States. Department of Labor.
Registration Process for US Diversity Visa Lottery
The online reservation duration for the Visa is usually around October first and November third every year. You will register as quickly as possible after it has opened. When you wait till the deadline of the log-up date, you can miss a visit due to the massive traffic on the website. Last entrants will not be admitted, regardless of individual faults.
Entry for the green card lottery is performed in the English language through online mode. The application can be submitted only in English, however specific instructions in other languages can be found on the U.S. Immigration link.
It is crucial that you read the directions thoroughly, remember all the necessary documents, images, and so on to be submitted. The Immigration Department of the U.S had also shared video guide on registration for the Visa Lottery, which describes the procedures as well.
Beware of Frauds and Scams while applying for US
There have been a lot of spammers around here waiting to lift your money in return for irrelevant or even dangerous information. You will also come across websites (most of which look genuine) who offer anything from insights on earning a visa lottery to strategies that help you “play games” by charging a fee.
You may also get fake emails, documents, and several other communication that seeks to persuade you that you are being chosen as a lottery winner.
Remember the following information before going through the application procedure
- Entry to the Visa draw is free.
- Drawing is spontaneous and is performed by a computer.
- You can find out if you won when you check the USCIS website.
- When you qualify and eligible for the Visa, you need to pay the fee, but it will be charged when you visit the U.S. embassy in person.
For any help, you can directly check in the USCIS website as they will properly guide you with specific information.
After Winning the U.S. Lottery Visa
When you are chosen in the Green Card Lottery, you and your family members will have to follow the same criteria, just like any other U.S. Green Card applicant. Forms of criminal backgrounds could make you disqualified in getting the green card. Several medical problems might make it hard or unlikely to get the green card.
When you already reside in the United States as non-immigrant or in some form of legality, the procedure that you must follow when you win a lottery and are eligible applying for the green card via the USCIS link.
The overwhelming number of visa lottery winners reside outside of the U.S. and undergo a method called consular screening.
Is It Safe?
Although applying for a visa lottery is safe and free. Even if it is a system of the lottery, it maintains specific guidelines that are mentioned in the instruction. Please look them up and apply for the Visa.
There is only one chance to apply in a year, so if you don’t want to be excluded from making your dream come true because of a simple mistake.