US Green Card Lottery: How the Green Card Lottery Works & Application Process

The US Green Card Lottery is generally recognized as the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program. It is a program of the US government which provides people from specific countries an opportunity to apply for a US Green Card.

A Green Card permits individuals to live as well as work in the United States on a permanent basis. Winners of the lottery receive about 55,000 Green Cards every year.

US Green Card Lottery

The lottery aims to increase diversity in the U.S. by granting chances to people in other countries with relatively low numbers of immigrants to the U.S. It’s 100 percent free and there are no winners or losers, other than being randomly selected by a computer. If successful then the applicant and their immediate family (spouse and any children under 21) can apply for permanent residence in the U.S.

The Diversity Visa program was established in 1990 with the passage of the Immigration Act to en courage the diversity of immigrants into the US. Citizens of eligible countries are allowed to apply online approximately between October and November each year.

The winners are chosen randomly and notified by looking up their status online the next year, usually in May. You do not get a Green Card by winning the lottery. It does nothing but allow you to apply for one. You must still adhere to all of the eligibility requirements, clear interviews and submit the right documents.

US Green Card Lottery Overview

Article onWhat is US Green Card Lottery? Are Indians Eligible For It? Explained
CountryU.S.
DepartmentU.S Department of States (DOS)
EligibilityPeople from nations with low rates of immigration to the U.S.
Application processOnline registration during the designation period
Purpose of this initiativeIn order to diversify the immigrant population in the U.S.
CategoryLatest News
Official WebsiteDvprogram.state.gov

Crucial Information on US Green Card Lottery

Entry into the Green Card Lottery is free of charge. The website to apply is official website only any other website claiming you can pay them or provide personal information is likely a scam.

Those chosen will need to act fast, there is a time limit and a limited number of visas, so selected applicants don’t necessarily get a Green Card if they don’t respond in time.

The lottery is open to people who satisfy both country eligibility requirements and either education or work experience requirements. If selected, you still have to prove you are eligible in other respects, for health reasons, criminal history and immigration record.

Eligibility for the US Green Card Lottery

  • You must be a citizen of a country eligible for the program you are applying for that is announced for this year. If a country has sent too many immigrants here in recent years, it’s not eligible.
  • Individuals must have a high school degree or minimum 2 years of working  experience in the last 5 years in a job which necessitates training.
  • There is an official application period and a proper online form that you must use when you apply.
  • You have to also provide a recent picture and accurate information about you. Dishonest or incomplete applications will be denied.
  • An individual can make only one submission in a year. Disqualification may result from attempting too many entries.

Indians are Qualified for the US Green Card Lottery or Not

Currently, Indians do not qualify for the DV Lottery. This is due to the fact that many people have already moved to the US from India in recent years. The lottery is intended for nations with some of the lowest immigration rates to the US. It is for this reason that countries such as India, China, Mexico, the Philippines, and others are omitted from the program.

And if your parents were born in a country that qualifies, but you yourself were only born in a country that doesn’t, you may be able to apply using your parents’ country.

Latest Update on US Green Card Lottery

  • The program doesn’t guarantee a Green Card once you’re chosen. After you win, you must still meet with background checks, provide documents, pay visa fees and attend an interview.
  • Fair and computerized selection process. No one has the chance of winning increased, nor will using agents or paying someone help one win.
  • Each year, millions apply, but only a small fraction are chosen. There are often more winners than there are visas available, as not all applicants continue with the process.

FAQs

Is it possible that a Indian get the US Green Card Lottery?

No, Indian citizens are not eligible for the US Green Card Lottery naturally, as India is over represented in the US immigration system.

Is there a fees or charge for the Green Card Lottery?

No, you don’t need to pay anything to enter the Green Card Lottery. In addition, beware of scams that require you to pay to apply.

If I win the Green Card Lottery, am I guaranteed to get a green card?

No, the lottery only wins you the ability to apply. You still must meet all eligibility rules and go through the interview and background checking process.

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