People worldwide have always considered the United States a place full of opportunity and ambitions. Because of its top-notch universities, robust employment market, and unmatched quality of life, it is a very popular place to visit. The American Visa Lottery Sponsorship Program (the Green card) is a golden ticket for anyone who wants to be a part of this dynamic country since it provides a legal way to immigrate and live the American dream.
Also referred to as the Diversity Visa Program, this visa offers people of qualifying nations a rare chance to settle in the United States legally. This post will walk you through the entire application procedure for the American Visa Lottery Sponsorship Program and provide all the information you need to do it successfully.
About The American Visa Lottery Sponsorship Program
The Department of State oversees the American Visa Lottery Sponsorship Program (Diversity Immigrant Visa program) which aims to diversify the immigration pool entering the country. Annually, the Diversity Visa program awards permanent residency (often known as a “green card”) to about 50,000 randomly chosen individuals, limited to citizens of nations with low immigration rates to the United States. It provides a pathway to a green card for people and families who would not otherwise be able to enter the country lawfully.
Completing an online form is the only need to enter the Diversity Visa lottery, also known as the green card lottery, and it is free of charge. You can enter the lottery every year from early October to early November. Green cards are awarded to the victors and their immediate families after a computer randomly chooses them.
Registration period
The Diversity Immigrant Visa program is indeed precisely timed. The deadline for Diversity Immigrant Visa program-2025 applications was November 7, 2023, and the US government will make the results public in May 2024. Applications for the Diversity Immigrant Visa program-2026 are accepted from October through November 2024, and the results will be accessible in May 2025.
As you can see, it’s a procedure that requires a lot of preparation. Although the official registration period is the only time the U.S. government accepts applications, our platform allows you to apply whenever you want. We’ll make sure your application is received when the gates open.
This is a huge benefit for applicants who would rather plan and avoid last-minute hurries. Recall that the deadline for Diversity Immigrant Visa program-2025 applications was November 7, 2023. The government website is not now accepting entries. Still, from October to November of next year, it will be accessible for Diversity Immigrant Visa program-2026 applications.
But your application is now available on our website for the upcoming cycle. As soon as the government begins to accept new applications, we will submit your form.
Who can submit An American Visa Lottery Sponsorship (Green Card) Lottery application?
To diversify the population, the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is intended for citizens of nations with historically low immigration rates to the United States. Every year, the list of qualified nations is subject to change. Check if you’re from a nation that is eligible for the upcoming draw by using our Visa Checker Tool: Choose your place of origin, the US as your destination, and immigration visa to see if you qualify for the Diversity Visa Lottery.
Eligibility for a Diversity Visa
When requesting a Diversity Visa, there are two primary needs must be met:
1. Nationality of origin
You must have been born in a nation that has sent less than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the last five years to be eligible for the Diversity Visa. The list of qualifying nations varies yearly, but because these nations all send a sizable number of immigrants to the US, Canada, China, India, Mexico, and the UK are never included.
The following nationals were not eligible to apply for the 2023 application period:
- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- Canada
- China (which encompasses Hong Kong SAR)
- Colombia
- Republic of the Dominican
- El Salvador
- Haiti
- India and Honduras
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Korea, S.
- United Kingdom and its dependent territories, except Northern Ireland
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
The State Department offers a list of all qualified nations for additional details.
There are still two ways you can be eligible for the Diversity Visa even if your home country isn’t:
- You can apply with your spouse and designate their birth country on your application if they were born in a nation that qualifies.
- You may select the country of birth of your mother or father if neither of your parents was a lawful resident of your own country of birth.
2. Education
The second main prerequisite for applicants seeking a Diversity Visa is that they must be at least 18 years old or have completed two years of work experience within the last five years in a field that, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, requires at least two years of training.
How to Apply for a Green card
Playing the lottery is relatively easy. You complete an online form on the State Department website between early October and early November. The majority of the questions are simple to grasp; however, in the following rare instances, some additional recommendations can be useful:
- Indicate your natal nation in the “country of birth” field, regardless of your current residence. Use the nation’s name that exists now if it was not there when you were born.
- In the field labeled “country of eligibility,” please provide your birth nation or, if applicable, the birth country of your parents or spouse. This question is unrelated to the nation in which you presently reside.
- Your partner: Even if your spouse does not live with you and does not want to immigrate with you, you still need to list them.
- Your children: Regardless of age, you must include a list of your adopted and biological children. Even though you are no longer married to their parent, you still need to list all of your stepchildren under age 21.
- A recent picture of you, your spouse, and your kids taken within the last six months must also be included. Use the identical photo specifications as if you were applying for a green card.
- The only way to find out if you’ve been chosen is to retain your confirmation number, which you will receive after submitting your application.
- Even though not everyone will receive this award, you should still make your application well-organized and outstanding. If, however, you need help following any of the instructions, sign up for our free email list to receive updates on the next step or steps to do.
- By choosing applications primarily from nations with low immigration rates to the United States during the previous five years, the lottery seeks to diversify the immigrant population in the country.
Conclusion:
Applying for the American Visa Lottery Sponsorship Program lottery and perhaps being accepted for immigration to the United States can take up to two years. From the time of application to the notification of results, at least six months pass. Should you be chosen, there is an extra procedure for applying for a Green Card and scheduling a visa appointment at the American embassy. We hope this post helps you in your American Visa Lottery Sponsorship journey.