How to win a green card in the USA: lottery conditions 2019-2020

Checking the results of the draw

The application can be checked by its number (Confirmation Number). room, consisting of 16 numbers and letters, not to be confused with the winner number or your case number (Case Number), composed of 14 signs. You can check your application on the website online with 5 May on 30 September next year (the so-called fiscal year in the United States). After this date, applications will not be verified. Winners will be provided with directions on how to proceed. They will also inform, how much will need to be paid.

The win is for you only, you cannot sell it. You must pay the visa issuance fee at the US Consulate on the day, when you will be scheduled for an interview. No need to be upset with a negative answer, you will be able to apply for next year, the number of feeds is not limited.

Draw conditions

The standard number of visas is spread across six geographic regions. Countries with low immigration receive the highest quota.

There are also limitations:

1. For residents of states, having a large flow of immigration to the USA, no lottery.
2. No country can get more 7% of the total number of visas.

Requirements for participants

The green card drawing is held for all foreigners without exception. But at the same time, it is enough for the contestants to comply with the minimum requirements.:

1. Completed secondary education or at least 2 years of work experience.
2. Knowledge of English.

The competitor must be solvent. Despite, that participation in the lottery is free, the winners will face additional costs for paperwork.

Opening the next registration

The draw is held annually at the same time. To participate in the lottery green card 2019 year, the application had to be submitted on November 2-5.

The results of this drawing will be announced in the spring., and the winners will receive visas in 2021 year.

Are there any chances of winning?

Provided annually 55 thousands of green cards for contestants from almost all over the world.

According to statistics, approximately 10 million people. But since the winners are chosen by the computer, everyone has a chance to win.

How to increase your chances of winning?

If you have a question, how to win a green card, means, the participant is seriously preparing to move to the USA. And there is a legitimate way to double your chances of winning.

According to American laws, if one of the spouses receives a green card, the other can also submit documents for its registration. Therefore, it is better for both spouses to participate in the lottery..

What does a green card have to do with US citizenship

A treasured document for any immigrant is the US Green Card.. It is a special identity card, which gives the right to permanent residence and allows you to find a job, but not be a citizen of the country. In another way, this document is called an immigration visa., which allows you to legally stay in America, leave its borders and, if necessary, transfer their relatives. Her possibilities in the situation of obtaining US citizenship are almost limitless..

This video explains the deadlines for submitting an application to participate in the lottery to receive a Green Card and further verification of the results.

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But all the benefits look good in theory., but in practice, to get all the benefits of the green card for the same Russian, will have to go through a rather difficult path. The holder of such a pass will only be able to obtain permission to obtain the status of an American after five years of permanent residence within the state..

It looks like a green card, giving American status

To become an immigrant and qualify for legal residence and certain rights and freedoms, first of all it is necessary, government approval of a statement, filed by a migrant with United States authorities.

When, let's say, the same resident of Russia is already on the territory of the "New World", his visa is assigned a number.

If the main purpose of the trip is to acquire US citizenship, then you should immediately apply for a change in status to an immigration. Even if the applicant will be outside the state, the US government will notify, that the procedure for obtaining an immigration type visa is close to completion.

How much does the move cost

Ирина с мужем искали разные варианты перевезти необходимый минимум вещей. We decided so: купили одно место в самолете и на него взяли багаж, а часть вещей отправили обычной почтой. По цене это выходило как раз как перевозка дополнительного багажа самолетом, но зато хоть часть вещей не придется тащить на себе от самолета до дома. А ведь семье еще необходимо было добраться от Лос-Анджелеса до Сан-Диего.

За билеты семья заплатила 53 000 rubles. Можно было бы купить и за 45 000 — такие были за неделю до покупки, но путешественники не успели их приобрести. One ticket was partially paid with miles.

В итоге семья перебралась на другой конец света всего с тремя чемоданами и книжками, delivered by mail.

EB-5 - the right option for business

The EB-5 program is one of the most popular ways of immigration to the USA today.. Each year, a huge number of program participants become holders of green cards and subsequently receive US citizenship.

so, what is the essence of EB-5?

EB-5 is an immigration program from the US government for investors. According to the program, rich and influential people can get permanent residence status, who have spare funds to inject into the economy of the United States of America.

Today the investment amount is 500 one thousand dollars, if you choose an undeveloped region and 1 million when investing in the economy of an investment-attractive region. FROM 21 November 2019 year, these amounts will increase to 900 thousand dollars and 1,8 million. respectively.

Important! Applications, filed before 21 November 2019 of the year, are considered according to the old rules. More EB-5 requirements: creature 10 work places

Otherwise, there are no criteria for applicants for obtaining a Green Card through investment. Even knowledge of English and education are not important, experience

More EB-5 requirements: creature 10 work places. Otherwise, there are no criteria for applicants for obtaining a Green Card through investment. Even knowledge of English and education are not important, experience.

The advantages of EB-5 over other methods of obtaining a Green Card

For many years EB-5 has been actively used by foreigners, wishing to immigrate to the USA. This popularity is explained by many advantages., which can be extracted from EB-5:

1. High guarantee. According to the investment program, the maximum percentage of approval of applications for a Green Card is tracked.
2. Maximum project availability. Investors of any nationality can participate in EB-5, age, wealth.
3. Low investment threshold, sufficient to obtain a residence permit.
4. Opportunity to move with family members. Having received a Green Card on an EB-5 visa, you can transport your husband / wife to the USA, children, parents, brother / sister.
5. Investments with the potential to return money through 7 years old.
6. The opportunity to learn, work and live in the United States with the prospect of citizenship.

Where to invest?

You can invest money according to the EB-5 program in one of two alternative ways:

1. Investing directly. It means, that you yourself create the project, implement it. You yourself control the business and are responsible for the activities of the enterprise. But there are few such experimenters. Therefore, the second way of investing under the EB-5 program is considered the most popular.
2. Investing through a regional center. This option allows you to participate in large commercial projects in the territory of a certain state without the need to conduct business personally.

Stages of obtaining an EB-5 visa

so, how to get permanent residence through EB-5. Let's start from the beginning.

1. You should choose a suitable investment project.
2. Invest the required amount in the company.
3. File Form I-526, or a Petition on behalf of an EB-5 program participant to USCIS.
4. Processing and consideration of the petition will take place from 15 to 18 months.
5. With a positive decision, a temporary green card is issued, issued on 2 of the year.
6. Until the expiration date of the card, next petition I-829 is filed. A positive decision on it will mark the final stage of the EB-5 visa and the issuance of a permanent US Green Card. Its validity period is 10 years old. After five years, you can apply for citizenship.

Filling out petitions should be entrusted to a competent lawyer. Besides, the selection of the project must also be entrusted to a specialist, since not every investment project, proposed by the Regional Center is reliable. Any mistake at each of the stages of the implementation of the program and registration of permanent residence can become the basis for refusal of an EB-5 visa, and therefore to receive a Green Card

It's also important to prepare documentation:

• copies of the passport;
• copies of marriage certificate or its dissolution, about the birth of children;
• no criminal record;
• military ID;
• two color photos, standard format.

Chances of Winning the Green Card Lottery

Drawn annually 50000 "Green cards" through the visa lottery program. Nevertheless, the system usually selects twice as many people, потому что некоторым из них отказывают в визе по причине несоответствия основным требованиям. На одну страну разрешено начислять не более 7% visas of the total (i.e, no more 3500).

There are additional restrictions for individual continents, therefore, the chances of winning among residents of different countries will differ.

According to Wikipedia, the odds of Europeans in previous lotteries were as follows:

• DV-2007 — 1,26%
• DV-2008 — 1,85%
• DV-2009 — 1,94%
• DV-2010 — 2,10%
• DV-2011 1,75%
• DV-2012 — 1,63%

In this way, winning the Green Card draw is more real in terms of probability theory, чем победа в обычной лотерее. Вы должны знать, that winning the Diversity Visa Lottery Program does not automatically mean an immigrant visa.

Its useful to note, what with 2014 year began another wave of immigration to the United States. Young people, realizing, that in the countries of the former USSR, the prospects for personal and financial development are becoming more and more vague, looking for their happiness abroad. AND, unfortunately those, who plans to participate in future lotteries, chances decrease every year.

Chances of getting an immigrant visa

For the reason, what the lottery system chooses in 2 times more winners, than the stipulated visa limit, not every winner will end up with a Green Card. May happen, what, despite winning, the person will not even be invited to an interview with the consul, because the visa limit for his country or region has been exhausted.

To apply for a Green Card, two conditions are required: get Case Number (number, which confirms your right to apply for a visa) and collect all the necessary documents for moving to the USA. Europeans have this chance 50%. In other words, if you won the lottery, there is a 50% chance that, that you immigrate to the United States.

How to increase your chances of winning?

1. If you have a spouse, ask her / him to register in the program too. This will double the chances.
2. At the preparatory stage (filling out the form, sending confirmation) don't make mistakes, which may lead to exclusion from the lottery.

Caution, scammers! Если вы в сети встретите компании или людей, offering to increase the chances of getting a green card, or fill out a form for you, taking money for it, then feel free to stop communicating with them. It's in 99.99% cases scammers, which will not increase your chances in any way, and may even make it worse

Key provisions on the diversification lottery

Every year, the American authorities issue lottery winners 55 thousand green cards. This quota is reserved exclusively for the winners of the diversification lottery. At the same time, its winners are announced 100 thousand foreign citizens. What is the reason for this difference? The fact, that almost half of the lucky ones for some reason do not apply for a prize. There can be many reasons for this phenomenon.: from lack of funds for the consular fee, pay-on-win, until there is no internet connection, letting you know about a happy outcome. Number of winners, applying for a visa, initially unpredictable. therefore 55% of the total number of lucky ones, Taking away their victory, established empirically, based on statistics from many years.

Who can participate in the Green Card Lottery

Citizens of the overwhelming number of countries of the world have the right to participate in the drawing., who have reached the age of majority and must have at least secondary education or work experience of at least two years in the position, requiring two years of study. Citizens of the CIS republics have been taking part in the lottery since 1995. Five thousand visas are allocated annually for illegal migrants from Nicaragua, what the law on the support of citizens of this country promotes, passed by the US Congress in 1999 year.

Green Card will be received by the lottery winner, but after a while

Restrictions on the conduct of the American lottery

Not all countries in the world have the opportunity to participate in the Green Card diversification lottery. Today they take part in it 162 country, located on five continents of the planet. Restrictions introduced for states, the number of immigrants of whom in the United States has exceeded 50 thousands of people. Today they are Brazil, mainland china, India and Mexico, and also a few more countries.

Today the number of visas, allocated to a single country, participating in the lottery, cannot exceed 7%. And in quantitative terms, this figure should not be more than 3500 residence permits in the United States. In recent years, the number of participants in the lottery has exceeded 10 million people of different racial, religion and nationality. Every year, the number of people who want to try their luck to move to the USA is almost constantly increasing.. For instance, in the already distant 2005 year only 6,5 million foreign citizens.

Analysts predict stable growth in US immigration

Conditions for participation in DV

In addition to the above requirements, only foreigners can play the lottery, native to countries, who participate in the lottery and from whose territory an application is submitted for participation in the drawing. They, who is officially married, can participate in the country of birth of the spouse, but only if, if the country, in which they were born, also participates in the lottery. The same rule applies to the state of birth of the parents., but only on condition, that it also participates in the diversification lottery. They, who were born in the United States, but lost their citizenship due to certain objective circumstances, can participate in the lottery from the country of current citizenship, and if it is absent and the person is stateless, then from the state, in which he has permanent resident status.

As indicated in the instructions for the lottery, some countries include colonies and dependent territories abroad. If the participant comes from there, you must select the appropriate metropolis. for instance, Macauans should choose Portugal, and the inhabitants of Martinique - France.

Determination of work experience is carried out in accordance with the databases of the US Department of Labor. The above two years of work experience are not always able to open the door to participate in DV, since representatives of not all professions can participate in the lottery.

Everything, who does not meet the specified requirements, are unlikely to be able to participate in the DV draw. These rules do not apply to the spouses and children of the main participants in the lottery..

What documents are required to obtain a US visa?

Package of documents, required for a Green Card, differs depending on the production method:

Marriage to a US citizen

Only officially contracted marriage is considered. A spouse who is a citizen sends a petition to the migration service with a request to issue a residence permit to a migrant. Attach to the letter:

• marriage certificate,
• confirmation of living together (bank accounts, utility bills, joint ownership documents, family photos),
• divorce certificate with a notarized translation (if it was),
• completed biography forms for both spouses,
• payment for services.

It is recommended to send only copies of documents, not originals. After submitting the appropriate forms, an invitation for an interview will be sent, where the spouses have to prove, that their marriage is not fictitious

Important to remember, that the conclusion of a fictitious marriage carries the risk, as for a migrant, so for an American citizen, starting with administrative penalties and ending with deportation (for the first)

Work Visa

Issued at the request of an American employer (when calling a foreign employee to perform short-term work). The employee is required to provide:

• translation of diploma and application,
• CV in English,
• certificate of seniority,
• certificate from the previous place of work.

In addition to the above, a consular fee is required and, if the migrant moves with his family, Marriage certificate, birth of children, etc.. The employer must also confirm the possibility of hiring. (filling out a form indicating the salary provided, description of working conditions and obligations).

Difficulty can be caused by the presence of a quota on the number of visas issued (at the same time, there is an additional quota for specialists with a master's degree) and the complexity of the procedure for the employer.

Family reunion

There are several types of close relatives (spouses, single children up to 21 of the year, married children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, their spouses and children, parents) American citizens, each of which requires its own documents. To summarize, it is necessary:

• petition from the citizen,
• appropriate sample form for a migrant,
• copies of marriage / birth certificate,
• financial guarantee,
• medical commission,
• biography,
• consular fee.

Obtaining refugee status

May be granted for political persecution, race and nationality, participation in social groups (including by sexual orientation). In addition to applying for status, need to prepare evidence of a threat to life (confirmation of participation in strikes, threatening letters, medical certificates, notarized letters of witnesses, etc.) and be interviewed at the migration service.

At the same time, refugee status is not granted to persons, committed a serious crime, persecuting someone for political / national views, trying to avoid criminal responsibility, posing a threat to US security.

Participation in the Green Card Lottery

After winning, the applicant fills out the DS-260 form on the official website, undergoes a medical examination and prepares documents, to apply for a Green Card interview:

• no criminal record,
• diploma,
• birth / marriage / divorce certificate,
• certificate of work experience,
• financial guarantors.

Deciding to get an American residence permit, you need to be prepared for a long wait for issuance (due to the large number of foreigners served), financial costs and an extensive list of required documents. When in doubt, it makes sense to contact lawyers, which will help prepare the necessary immediately, avoiding wasting time.

Which countries participate in the lottery

You can apply for a Green Card, only if the country, where you were born, included in the card draw list for the current year. Countries are excluded from the list, if more 50000 their residents immigrated to the United States in the last 5 years old. Country selection principle: the less the flow of immigrants from the country, the higher the chances of this state to be included in the lottery list.

Everything is done to implement the Immigration Act, whose goal is to diversify the population of the United States along ethnic lines.

Legend on the American green card

Applicant countries are selected from six geographic areas, and one country cannot be allocated more 7% of the total number of Green cards.

Steps after winning

After receiving information about the win, it is necessary to start the next stage - registration of the Green Card. В самом начале заполняется онлайн-заявка на каждого члена семьи, who will immigrate to America with the winner. After that the date of the interview will be set. Usually, the preparation for the interview is allocated 4 – 6 weeks. During this time, it is necessary to prepare all the required documents:

• Proof of education or qualifications:
• Identification (passports - Russian and foreign);
• Birth certificate;
• Information on criminal record / no criminal record;
• Marriage certificate or divorce decision;
• Military service ticket;
• Medical certificate.

Changes or additions may be made to the list according to the situation.. Documents are prepared for each applicant (if a family leaves) separately.

Government lottery

Another unique way to acquire a Green Card and the right to US citizenship is the state lottery, which is held once a year by the department of the country's migration service. Anyone can participate, and absolutely free.

You just need to register on a special website, specifying your details in the proposed application. All necessary documents are provided in October, and the results of this competition can be seen only from mid-May - early June.

The purpose of this kind of competition is to support the immigration of those nationalities, which are very few in America. FROM 2008 year Russia was again admitted to this lottery, since for a long time there was a certain ban on immigrants of this state. Therefore, the inhabitants of Russia now began to replenish the lists of new members of the American society. And even in 2016 year our compatriots could take part in the Green Card drawing.

After sending the application, the participant receives a special number, which is assigned by the site system.

By this number the applicant can track the decision, accepted at his request

The most important thing for those who wish is to win the first round. When the first round is over, the next one comes - visiting the embassy

In order to visit the embassy and pass an interview, have to work a little. It is necessary to collect documents, which will indicate personal data, family, education, various licenses, certificates and diplomas, allowing to work, if they are, as well as a mandatory certificate of the absence of any offenses. If there are children under twenty one, then you should submit documents and on them.

There are special medical institutions, who are entitled to issue such certificates. All vaccinations should be done in advance, to get the desired certificate, because if you do them at the wrong time, this will delay the registration procedure, and the price for such services will be higher.

This is how the certificate issued when passing a medical examination looks like

Having collected all the necessary documents, the applicant is being interviewed at the embassy, discussing everything, what was filled in the questionnaire. If you manage to pass the second round, then a stamp appears in the participant's passport. This is a temporary green card, with which you can go on the road and obtain US citizenship. Such a physical card is very similar to a credit card., as it has its own magnetic protection, but has the function of an official document. With him, you can get a decent job officially..