Is it really possible to win a Green Card?
If you want to legally move to the USA, the Green Card Lottery (Diversity Visa Lottery) offers everyone a chance to try their luck and win the coveted right to live and work in America.
Every year, millions of people from around the world submit their applications for this lottery, but only 55,000 lucky individuals get the opportunity to obtain a permanent residency in the USA. Despite the high level of competition, the chances of winning are there, and you can increase them by approaching the application process correctly. It’s important to remember that the lottery is a random process, and there are no guarantees of winning. Additionally, winning does not automatically guarantee receiving a Green Card. To secure it, you will need to gather documents, undergo a medical examination, pay a $330 consular fee, and get approval in an interview.
However, by knowing the basic rules and avoiding mistakes, you significantly increase your chances of success. American Butler believes in you and wishes you good luck! Who among you is already participating in the lottery?
What is the Green Card Lottery?
The American dream attracts millions of people from around the world. They are ready to drop everything at any moment, just to be given the opportunity to move to the USA. You may be among them. For some, America is a chance for self-realization, studying at prestigious universities, and working at leading corporations. For others, the level of living is important. For a third group, the climate and warm ocean are the main attractions. But without legal status, you won't feel the desired freedom and satisfaction.
Legal Ways to Immigrate
There are several ways to legally move to America:
- 01.Marrying a US citizen.
- 02.Family reunification.
- 03.Through an employer.
- 04.Obtaining asylum in the USA.
- 05.Winning the Diversity Visa Lottery.
Among the usual ways to move to America, there is one adventurous option. It does not guarantee success but also does not require any investment. The Green Card Lottery offers a completely free chance to immigrate.
The Green Card Lottery, or the Diversity Visa (DV) program, was created to increase the diversity of immigrants in the United States. Every year, the US government allocates 55,000 visas for citizens of countries from which the lowest number of people emigrate to the USA. Participation in the lottery is free and open to anyone who meets the specific requirements.
What Does a Green Card Offer?
There is a common misconception that winning a Green Card means you automatically receive tickets to America, where a car will be waiting for you in front of the plane to take you to an apartment by the ocean with a fridge full of Coca-Cola. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Winning the Green Card does not imply any grants, assistance, or subsidies. You will also need to find a job on your own.
In general, winning a Green Card gives you the opportunity for legal residence in the USA, which is a form of residency permit and nothing more. However, this is already a lot, and for many, it’s the realization of a dream. After all, legal immigrants have many advantages and rights:
- Work Authorization
You will be eligible to apply for official jobs, except for certain government positions that require citizenship. - Visa-Free Entry
No visa is required to enter the USA. You just need to show your Green Card. Consequently, you can stay in the country for an unlimited amount of time and leave and re-enter as many times as you want. - Education Opportunities
This is especially relevant for those who want to get an education in the USA. With a Green Card, you can enroll in certain institutions at a reduced cost. It is harder and more expensive to apply as an international student. - Pension and Benefits
After working for 10 full years, you are entitled to receive a pension. - Path to Citizenship
Eventually, you can apply for citizenship.
This list is quite extensive, and it is clear why so many people eagerly await the results of the lottery.
Requirements for Participants
To participate in the lottery, you must meet several basic requirements:
- Citizenship
You must be a citizen of a country that participates in the lottery program. The list of eligible countries is updated every year. - Education
You must have at least a high school education or its equivalent. If you do not have a diploma, you need to prove two years of work experience within the last five years in a job that requires specific qualifications. - No Criminal Record
You must not have a criminal record that could be grounds for a visa denial.
How to Correctly Submit an Application
The application for participation is submitted through the official US Department of State website. The process is simple, but it requires attention to detail:
- 01.Filling out the form
On the website, you will need to fill out a form with personal details, including information about your spouse and children. It’s important that all the provided information is accurate and matches the details in your documents. - 02.Photo
You need to attach a photo to the form that meets specific requirements (e.g., size, lighting, no shadows, etc.). An incorrect photo can lead to disqualification. - 03.Submitting the application
You can submit your application only once a year. Submitting multiple applications can result in disqualification.
Tips and Recommendations
On the official lottery website, the date for the start of a new application period is announced. This typically occurs in the fall, usually in early October. The application period lasts for a month, during which all those who wish to participate in the lottery must fill out the application and save the confirmation number provided after submission.
It’s easy to find online advertisements promising a 100% guarantee of winning a Green Card if you enlist the help of certain individuals. This is how intermediaries lure in those who are not well-versed in the process but are eager for a better life. In reality, no one can guarantee a win. There is no need to pay intermediaries — the lottery is conducted by the U.S. government and participation is entirely free. All you need to do is fill out a simple application on the official website, www.dvlottery.state.gov. The questions are straightforward; you only need to provide basic personal information and upload a photograph that meets the government's standards.
How to Fill Out the Application Correctly?
While the lottery is a random process, there are a few tips that can increase your chances. American Butler has kindly prepared a top-5 list of important tips to help you fill out the application correctly and quickly, avoiding disqualification.
- 01.The application must be filled out exclusively in English
Don’t worry, most questions have drop-down menus, and you need to choose the option that best fits your situation. You will need to manually enter names of cities, streets, and surnames. Use transliteration rules to write these names in Latin characters. - 02.Answers should be truthful, concise, and to the point
Provide only the information requested. In case of winning, you will need to provide documents that confirm your country of birth, passport data, education, and marital status. So, if you do not hold a doctoral degree, there is no need to claim you do. - 03.Attach a photograph to the application
There is a specific place for uploading the photo. The requirements for the photo are quite strict. It must be recent; you cannot use a photo from last year’s participation. The face proportions must be clearly defined, with a strict white background and no headwear. Even children under one year old must have this photo. Photography studios are familiar with these requirements, so to avoid disqualification due to an incorrect photo, pay a small fee to professionals and get a photo that meets all the requirements. However, you can also take the photo yourself, provided you adhere to all the guidelines. - 04.Include your spouse and children under 21 years old in the application
If you win, they will also be eligible to receive a Green Card. - 05.Important! Each applicant can submit only one application
If someone tries to increase their chances by submitting multiple applications, the lottery system will cancel all these applications and automatically disqualify the offender.
Lottery Results
Once you've submitted your application and saved your confirmation number, all that's left to do is wait. The lottery draw takes place in early May. To check if you've won, visit the official website, enter your details and the confirmation number you received in the fall.
What to Do After Winning?
If your application is selected, it doesn’t automatically guarantee you a Green Card. You will need to go through several additional steps:
- Complete Form DS-260
This is the immigrant visa application form that must be filled out online. It requires detailed information about your life, education, work, and family. - Attend an Interview at the Consulate
After your application is reviewed, you will be invited to an interview at the U.S. consulate. During the interview, it’s crucial to provide all necessary documents and undergo a medical examination. - Obtain a Visa
If the interview goes well, you will be granted an immigrant visa, allowing you to enter the United States.
Possible Reasons for Denial
Even if you win the lottery, there are circumstances that could result in your Green Card application being denied:
- Errors in the Application
Incorrect or incomplete information in your application can lead to a denial. - Law Violations
Any violations of immigration laws, such as previous illegal stays in the U.S., could be grounds for denial. - Document Issues
Failure to provide the required documents or discrepancies in them can also result in a denial.
Lastly, American Butler would like to dispel a common myth: submitting an application for the lottery does not disqualify you from obtaining a tourist visa to visit the U.S. This is not true. Participation in the lottery has no effect on the approval of a non-immigrant tourist visa.
Test your luck — maybe next time you'll see the words "You have been randomly selected" on your screen!
If you need assistance with filling out the application or any other aspect of the lottery process, feel free to reach out to the experts at American Butler. We’ll guide you through each step and provide professional support for your application.
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