Diversity Visa Lottery Open

Diversity Visa Is Available

Between October 1 and November 3, the Diversity Visa (also known as the Green Card lottery) is available. Each year, 50,000 applicants are randomly selected from the pool to become admissible for a Green Card. Selection in the lottery does not guarantee a Green Card. The applicant still needs to meet all of the standards for admissibility and process their Green Cards within the allotted time. Some of the benefits of the Diversity Visa is that it provides a pathway to Permanent Residence in the United States without employer or family sponsorship. It can also be a quick process.

The countries with the most immigrants to the United States are disqualified from participating in the lottery. The reason is that the purpose of the Diversity Visa is to expand the immigration process to individuals from countries who are not well represented in the overall immigration population in the United States. Natives of the following countries cannot apply for the Diversity Visa: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. This list is subject to change each year, depending on immigration trends.

There are certain educational and work requirements that must be met to apply for and qualify for the visa. The country of “chargeability” is the applicant’s native country. A South Korean citizen living in Germany cannot claim Germany as the native country (there are possible exception based on spouses and parents). One of the hesitations about applying for the visa is whether it will have an adverse effect on future nonimmigrant visa applications to the United States. Nonimmigrant visas usually demand nonimmigrant intent, meaning no intention to stay in the United States. Applying for the diversity visa may belie that. Please consult with an immigration attorney if there are questions pertaining to the diversity visa and future consequences.