What is Green Card Lottery: Everything You Need To Know, A green card lets people live and work in the United States forever. It’s given out by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). There are many ways to get a green card, like through family or work. But, not everyone can get one this way.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, or green card lottery, is for those who can’t get a green card otherwise. It gives out up to 55,000 visas each year. These visas are chosen randomly, making it a good chance for those wanting to live in the US.
Key Takeaways
- The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, also known as the green card lottery, provides an opportunity for individuals to obtain permanent residency in the United States.
- The DV Program issues up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually through a random selection process.
- The application period for the green card lottery is usually open for a little over a month between October and November.
- Applicants born in certain countries, such as Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and Nigeria, are ineligible to apply for the green card lottery.
- The green card lottery is free to enter, and there are no associated costs with submitting an application.
Introduction to the Green Card Lottery
The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, also known as the green card lottery, is a special U.S. government program. It gives up to 55,000 immigrant visas each year. The goal is to make the U.S. immigrant population more diverse by choosing winners randomly from countries with low immigration rates.
This program is run by the U.S. Department of State (DOS).
What is the Green Card Lottery?
The green card lottery, or Diversity Visa program, lets people from certain countries get legal permanent residency in the U.S. Every year, millions of people worldwide apply for a chance to win. But, the chances are very low, with only about 1 in 172 applicants winning.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Diversity visa program annual visas | 55,000 |
| Fiscal year 2023 applications received | Over 9.5 million |
| Applicants considered “winners” | First 119,000 |
| Eligible to receive a green card | Roughly 50,000 |
| Odds of winning a visa | 1 in 172 |
The application for the green card lottery happens for just one month. It’s two years before the lottery picks winners. Winning is very hard because so many people apply for only a few visas.
“The Green Card Lottery attracts millions of applicants yearly, but only a limited number are successful in obtaining one of the 55,000 available immigrant visas.”
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the green card lottery, also known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program), you must meet specific criteria. These include your country of birth and your education or work experience. The DV Program is for people from countries with low U.S. immigration rates. These countries can change each year.
Applicants need at least a high school diploma or two years of work in a specific job type. This job must be classified as “job zone 4” or “job zone 5” by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Country Eligibility
The DV Program aims to diversify the U.S. immigrant population. It’s only for those born in countries with less than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the last five years. The list of eligible countries changes each year.
If your birth country isn’t on the list, you might still qualify. This is if your spouse was born in an eligible country or if neither of your parents was born in or lived in the ineligible country at your birth.
Educational and Work Experience Requirements
- The main DV applicant must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, like a GED certificate.
- Or, they must have at least two years of work experience in the last five years. This work must be in a job classified as “job zone 4” or “job zone 5” by the U.S. Department of Labor, with a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) rating of 7.0 or higher.
- The education or work experience rule only applies to the main applicant. It doesn’t count for the spouse or children.
Not meeting these requirements can mean losing your application fee. Ineligible entries are not refunded.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) gives out up to 50,000 immigrant visas each year. These visas are awarded randomly to eligible entries from countries with low U.S. immigration rates.
What is Green Card Lottery: Everything You Need To Know
The green card lottery, also known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, gives 55,000 green cards each year. These go to people from countries that don’t send many immigrants to the U.S. Winning the lottery doesn’t mean you get a green card right away. It means you can apply for one.
The lottery application opens for about a month, from October to November. You need a high school diploma or two years of work experience to apply. With millions of entries, the competition is fierce, but only a few are chosen.
Those who win are put on a waiting list with a number. If your number is high, you might not get a green card. The whole process can be tricky, and you should watch out for scams.
Not all countries can enter the lottery. Places like Canada, China, India, Mexico, and the U.K. are not eligible. The U.S. Department of State updates the list of eligible countries every year.
The green card lottery is a chance to move to the U.S. But, it’s important to know how it works and the challenges you might face.
“The Green Card Lottery, officially known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, aims to diversify the immigrant population in the U.S. by granting visas to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.”
You can register for the lottery online. Services like iVisa help with the application and prepare you for the embassy interview. You’ll need a valid passport, a digital photo, a working email, and a way to pay.
Registering on the official website is free. But, services like iVisa might charge a fee for their help. They offer different speeds, like standard, rush, and super rush, each with its own price.
Be careful of scams around the green card lottery. The U.S. Department of State has strict rules. Only online entries made on time are considered.
Application Process
The green card lottery registration period is from early October to early November each year. You must register online using the English version. Be careful of scams offering help for a fee, as they are not real.
Registration Period
The deadline for the green card lottery registration was November 10th, 2021. For DV-2026, the application period is from October 2 to November 5, 2024. You must submit your entry online during this time to be considered.
How to Apply
If you’re picked in the lottery, you’ll get instructions on what to do next. This might include more paperwork and an interview at a U.S. embassy. Remember, the application for the green card lottery is free. Only submit one entry per year to avoid being disqualified.
The Diversity Visa Program has fees. You’ll need to pay a visa application fee of $330 and an adjustment of status fee of $1,440 if you’re already in the U.S.
The U.S. government picks winners randomly from all qualified entries. No emails, mail, or phone calls will be sent out. Check your status on the official website starting from May 3, 2025. Follow the instructions to get your Diversity Visa by September 30, 2026.
Selection and Visa Allocation
The green card lottery, also known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, is a random selection. It aims to bring more immigrants from countries with fewer people in the U.S. Each year, about 125,000 names are picked, but only 50,000 visas are given out.
The lottery picks winners randomly. Your chance of getting a visa depends on your spot on the list and how many people finish their applications. Just being picked doesn’t mean you’ll get a green card.
The visas are spread out across six regions. These areas have fewer immigrants coming to the U.S. No country can get more than 7% of the visas. This makes sure immigrants come from all over.
To apply for the lottery, you need a high school diploma or two years of work experience. The whole application is online. There’s a specific time each year to apply.
The green card lottery odds are very low. With 13.3 million applications each year for just 50,000 visas, it’s tough. But for those who make it, it’s a chance to live in the U.S. permanently.
Conclusion
The green card lottery, also known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, is a chance for people from certain countries to live in the United States. It’s free and open to those who qualify. But, winning a green card is tough, with only 50,000 visas given out each year.
Even with tough odds, the lottery is a good choice for those who can’t get a green card through family or work. It helps make the US immigrant population more diverse. This makes the US labor force more competitive.
Looking at the green card lottery, we see its importance in US immigration. If you’re thinking about the lottery or just want to know more, learning about it can help. It could open doors to a new life in the United States.
FAQ
What is the Green Card Lottery?
The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, also known as the green card lottery, offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas each year. It’s a random selection process. It’s for people from countries with low U.S. immigration rates.
Who is eligible for the Green Card Lottery?
To qualify, you must be from a country with low U.S. immigration rates. You also need a high school diploma or two years of work in a specific field.
How does the Green Card Lottery selection process work?
Winning the lottery doesn’t mean you get a green card right away. It’s a chance to apply for one. Only a small percentage of applicants are chosen. Those selected are put on a waiting list, and their position affects their chances.
How do I apply for the Green Card Lottery?
The application period is in early October to early November. You must apply online in English. Be careful of scams offering help for a fee.
What are the odds of winning the Green Card Lottery?
About 125,000 names are picked each year, but only 50,000 visas are given out. Your chances depend on your position on the list and how many people complete their applications. Being picked doesn’t mean you’ll get a visa.