The Green Card Lottery, officially known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, is a coveted opportunity for individuals worldwide seeking lawful permanent residency in the United States.

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LaToya McBean Pompy is an immigration lawyer who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Her experience sparked an interest in helping many families be together in the U.S. by founding McBean Law. If you need help with your or a loved one’s visa, contact us here or call us today at (888)-462-4006 to schedule a private consultation with LaToya and her team of New York immigration lawyers who are here to help you.

Understanding the Green Card Lottery

The purpose of the Green Card Lottery is 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. The lottery is conducted through an online application process on the U.S. Department of State website, and winners are selected randomly.

It is important to note that winning the lottery does not guarantee that you will receive a green card. You must meet strict eligibility requirements in order to make your dreams of coming to the U.S. a reality. This is why it is so important to partner with an experienced immigration lawyer who can help you every step of the way.

Our team at McBean Law has created a short, free guide to the Green Card Lottery that our readers can download and read.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

In order to be eligible for the Green Card Lottery, you must meet the following criteria:

• Country of origin – You must be the native of a country that is eligible for consideration during the lottery you are applying for. The U.S. Department of State publishes a list of eligible countries every year.
• Education – You must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, OR
• Work Experience – You must have at least two years of work experience within the past five years, and it must be in an occupation that requires at least two years of training.

How to Apply?

The application period for the Green Card Lottery is announced by the U.S. Department of State, and it is open for several weeks while applicants fill out and submit their entries.

You must fill out your entry form on the online portal made available by the U.S. Department of State, and the information in the form must be accurate and legitimate. Make sure to keep the unique confirmation number you receive after the entry form has been submitted, as this is essential for checking your status.

Please note that no late or paper entries are eligible for consideration, and will result in immediate disqualification from the Lottery.

How to Check Your Status?

Once applications are closed, you can check your status on the Entry Status Check platform on the Diversity Visa Program website.

What Are the Next Steps?

If you are selected as one of the lucky winners of the Lottery, congratulations! Your journey has begun.

Selected applicants are encouraged to fill out the online DS-260 application immediately in order to get in line to schedule an interview at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is important to note that selection at this point does not guarantee a visa will be given to you, as you must also meet all eligibility requirements under U.S. law as well.

Step 1: Submit the necessary documentation

This includes forms, photographs, and supporting evidence of eligibility. Make sure to follow the U.S. Department of State’s guidelines as this is a very complicated and strict process. It is a good idea to partner with an experienced immigration lawyer who can help make the process smoother and easier on you.

Step 2: Undergo a medical examination

An authorized physician will perform a medical examination on you to ensure that you meet the necessary health requirements for immigration to the U.S.

Step 3: Attend your visa interview

Prior to the interview, applicants must pay the Diversity Visa fee, which is non-refundable regardless of whether or not your visa is issued. The 2024 Lottery fee was $330.00 per person.

Schedule a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Please note that you, your spouse, and any qualified unmarried children immigrating with you must also participate in the interview. For necessary documents to bring to the interview, you should see the U.S. Department of State instructions as they may vary year to year.

Getting Your Green Card

If all goes well, you will be a lucky recipient of a green card that will grant you lawful permanent residency in the United States. Congratulations!

If your green card is denied, do not give up! Our experienced team of New York immigration lawyers can help you to determine if you would be eligible to pursue a different avenue on your immigration journey. Being denied through the Lottery does not necessarily disqualify you from reapplying through different means.

Planning Your Roadmap to Success

Whether you are seeking assistance with visa applications, green cards, citizenship, or any other immigration matter, we are here to help you every step of the way. Our mission is not just to provide legal services but to empower our clients with the knowledge and resources they need to achieve their immigration goals. With proper legal counsel, persistent preparation, and meticulous attention to detail, your success can become reality too. Partner with professionals like McBean Law to chart your visa journey’s triumph.

If you are interested in more topics like this, please consider subscribing to our newsletter to get weekly updates on immigration news, relevant topics, and more! You can also find us on YouTube where we do weekly Q&A sessions.

LaToya McBean Pompy is an immigration lawyer who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Her experience sparked an interest in helping many families be together in the U.S. by founding McBean Law. If you need help with your or a loved one’s visa, contact us here or call us today at (888)-462-4006 to schedule a private consultation with LaToya and her team of New York immigration lawyers who are here to help you.