Diversity Green Card
Want to participate in the green card lottery? A Diversity Visa offers a quick path to a green card for immigrants and their immediate relatives. Every year under the Diversity Visa Program 50,000 visas are set aside for immigrants from countries with low levels of U.S. immigration.
Every year the U.S. Department of State issues a list of eligible countries. If your country of citizenship is selected, you can submit an application to enter your name into the Diversity Lottery. After the entry period closes, DOS will randomly select recipients to apply for green cards.
If you are selected,you may proceed with filing an application for a green card either abroad at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy or in the United States at a local USCIS field office. Alcorn can help.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible to receive a green card under the Diversity Visa Program you must meet the following requirements:
- You hold citizenship in a country where immigration to the United States is deemed low;
- You must be admissible to the United States;
- You must have a high school diploma or its equivalent or at least two years working within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training; and
- You must have an immigrant visa available at the time of applying for a green card at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad or at a local USCIS office in the United States.
What’s the Process?
The process for completing the green card application through the Diversity Visa Program is different depending on whether you are applying while living outside the United States or inside the United States.
Required steps for all Diversity Visa applicants:
- Complete an Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form by the November registration deadline; and
- Be selected in the diversity visa lottery the following May.
Next steps for Diversity Visa applicants living outside the United States:
- Apply for the visa by September 30th by completing online form DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application) and schedule an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate; and
- Pay the required fees.
Next steps for Diversity Visa applicants living inside the United States:
- Apply for the diversity green card by September 30th by completing and filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust STatus to USCIS; and
- Submit supporting documents to USCIS;
- Be scheduled and attend a green card interview with USCIS by September 30th.
