US Green Card Lottery Program

Each year, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) makes 50,000 permanent resident visas available to potential immigrants, through it’s Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) “lottery” program, also known as the USA Green Card lottery. The program offers each applicant the opportunity to “win” legal permanent residence or “green card” enabling him or her to live and work, in the U.S.

The program was created to encourage ethnic diversification in U.S.  Only those countries, whose ethnic groups are currently under-represented and typically, have low rates of U.S. immigration, are allowed to apply.

The DOS selects 110, 000 applications, at random, knowing that not all those selected will complete the visa process. As soon as 50, 000 visas are issued or the fiscal year ends, the DV program is closed

The DV-2011 Lottery online entry begins on October 2, 2009, and ends on December 1, 2009.

If the applicant is successful and  “wins” the lottery, they will be permitted by United States Immigration to legally live, study and work, permanently in the U.S. along with their spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21, provided they all the requirements.

Every eligible diversity visa entrant must meet one of the following qualifications:

• Possess a high school education or its equivalent
• Have completed two years of work experience in an occupation that requires a minimum of two years’ training or experience (within the previous five years.)

They are also eligible for the same health, education, retirement and social security benefits as other U.S. citizens. Once a permanent resident, it can be a path to citizenship.

Nationals of all countries, with the exception of the following permitted to apply for this program:

• Anguilla
• Bermuda
• Brazil
• British virgin Islands
• Canada
• Cayman Islands
• Colombia
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Falkland Islands
• Gibraltar
• Haiti
• India
• Jamaica
• Mexico
• Montserrat
• Pakistan
• Peru
• Philippines
• Pitcairn
• Poland
• South Korea
• St. Helena
• Turks & Caicos Islands
• United Kingdom
• Vietnam

If you have any questions on how to play the green card lottery, you are advised to speak to an immigration attorney. Please contact our office to make an appointment for a consultation with an attorney.