What It Takes To Win A Green Card
On May 2nd, 2017, over 14 million people found out if they won the 2018 U.S. Green Card lottery. This lottery process is sometimes known as the diversity visa lottery. Although over 14 million people applied for a green card, only about 50,000 people will receive one. There are many ways that someone can qualify for the lottery but we dissected what you need to win the lottery.
The lottery is a huge deal to immigrants looking to live in the United States every year, but it does require a significant amount of effort. The effort put into a green card application is well worth it when the benefits of obtaining a green card are virtually boundless. Getting a green card allows you to:
- Live permanently in the United States provided you do not commit any actions that would make you removable under immigration law
- Work in the United States at any legal work of your qualification and choosing.
- Be protected by all laws of the United States
Even though the U.S. Green Card lottery system is free to enter, not all countries can apply. Some of the countries that weren’t eligible for the 2018 lottery include: China, India, Nigeria and Mexico. There are a few ways that citizens from countries that were excluded may still apply. “If your spouse was born in an eligible country and you list them on your application and enter the U.S. together, or one of your parents were not residents of an ineligible country at the time of your birth.”
After you have declared that you are from a qualifying country, you must have one of the followings to enter the lottery:
- Two years work experience in the past five years, and your work experience must be in a job that the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET system categorizes as Zone 4 or 5 and has a Specific Vocational Preparation rating of 7.0 or higher.
- A high school degree in a program that is comparable to the United States’ system.
The State Department of the United States has listed all of the qualifications. When applying for the U.S. Green Card lottery, it is super important to hire an immigration lawyer because you may only have one chance per year to apply. The number one reason that green card applications are denied is that the applicator tried to fill it out themselves and made a mistake which disqualified them. Hiring an immigration lawyer eliminates any errors that could be made on an application.
What To Do If You Won a Green Card
Once the winners of the lottery have been contacted that they will receive a green card they may bring their immediate family into the United States with them. The family must move within six months after finding out that they won the lottery. After winning the lottery, there are many other steps in starting a new life in the United States. Winners must provide the required paperwork and undergo an interview at their local U.S. consulate or embassy.
Although the process can be quite robust and full of stressful paperwork (unless you hire an immigration lawyer), if you do win a green card, you have a chance at a whole new life.
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VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Ella Bergquist
Hello! I am one of VisaPlace's many immigration news contributors. Comment below if you have any questions or comments about this article.
