What You Need to Participate in the US Green Card Lottery
Today, over 14 million people will find out if they won the 2018 USA Green Card Lottery , also known as the Diversity Visa Lottery. Only about 50,000 people will win the green card, which is what they first need to qualify for the lottery.
Participation in the lottery is free, but not all countries are eligible to participate in the lottery. Those who want to take part in the lottery should check if their country is included in the corresponding list . Some countries that are not eligible for this year’s lottery include mainland China, India, Nigeria, Canada, and Mexico. However, you have two ways to get around your country, being disqualified: your spouse was born in the appropriate country and you indicate them on your application and enter the United States together, or one of your parents did not live in an inappropriate country at the time of your birth.
In addition to being from the eligible country, you will need one of the following to even take part in the lottery:
- High school diploma in a program comparable to the United States system.
- Two years of work experience in the past five years and your work experience must match a job that the US Department of Labor O * NET system classifies as Zone 4 or 5 and has a Special Occupational Training rating of 7.0 or higher.
If that sounds confusing, now imagine that figuring out if you qualify is what stands between you and the opportunity to work towards a better life for yourself and your family. The Department of State lays out all the requirements in this PDF , which appears to be quite detailed at first glance. There are many hurdles to go through to even apply for this lottery, and if you make a mistake you will disqualify yourself (for example, indicate that you are from an inappropriate country).
Winners can bring their next of kin to the United States and must move within six months of learning that they have won. Winning the lottery is just the first (but big) step towards living and working in the United States. You will then need to provide the required documents and be interviewed at your local US embassy or consulate.
Even participating in the green card lottery requires a tremendous amount of effort, so why are people so motivated to overcome difficulties? Well, a green card gives you many advantages if you want to legally live and work in the United States:
- Permanently reside in the United States
- Work legally in most jobs (some are only available to US citizens for security reasons)
- Be protected by federal, state and local laws.
There are some rules that you must follow as a green card holder, including paying taxes and obeying the laws. If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25, you must also register with the Selection Service (also known as a project). The process of getting a green card with this lottery is complicated, full of paperwork and stress, but if you make it through and win, you have a chance for a whole new life.