USA Green card lottery

How Does One Qualify For The US Green Card Lottery?

Did you know that the United States government that holds the US Green card lottery annually chooses over 100,000 applicants from a pool of qualified applicants? Out of these applicants only 50,000 would be made available to winning lottery members. These applicants that are chosen come from all geographic regions but are restricted to countries that have low US immigration rates. The aim is to increase the cultural diversity of the United States and continue to make it the melting pot that it is.

Once this pool is created, the US immigration officials will pick numbers at random with the computer and will be registered as and when the numbers get picked. Essentially, every single applicant has as much chance as any other to win the lottery. It is only important to become eligible first, because after that it is based purely on luck. Once an applicant has won the lottery, the winner will be contacted by the Kentucky consular Center that will then insist that the individual provide proof of all the requirements in that category of immigrant visa. This is a birth certificate, a driver's license if applicable, a passport, a document stating the applicant's education level and training, and any family members that will accompany the winner as long as it is a spouse, dependent such as an aged parent or children under the age of 21. Perhaps, the biggest advantage of a US green card lottery is that one does not have to depend on a sponsor. Just about any other green card based on family members, employment or religion requires a sponsor, but in the case of the US Green card lottery, an individual can apply solely on his or her merit as long as the country qualifies to be part of this program.

An applicant can apply for this green card lottery only until October of each year. There is an 8 month opening during which an individual can apply, but it is important that while applying he or she adhere to the strict guidelines established by US immigration officials. Very often, sending the wrong photo size causes your application to be delayed, which will result in your application being put off for the following year. While you may think that this is not a problem, remember that your country must qualify the following year. Your country would qualify only if there are less than 50,000 immigrants in the last five years. So keep in mind that this number can change and your country can be disqualified at any time. So it is important that you adhere tightly to any guidelines that are presented.