The Green Card Lottery, one of the most popular immigration visa programs in the United States, can be used to eventually get citizenship in America.
Citizenship is often the final goal for immigrants coming to America as it guarantees a great deal of security within their new home country.
With citizenship, a person cannot be deported unless it is found that their original application is found to be fraudulent. Also, citizens are entitled to carry U.S. passports which guarantee the full protection of the United States when travelling abroad.
However, one of the most basic requirements for citizenship is permanent residency, or a green card. This is often the most difficult part of the process, but it is made much easier through the Green Card Lottery.
The Green Card Lottery
The lottery is an annual program that grants 50,000 green cards to people all over the world.
Applicants only have to fulfill two basic requirements to register for the lottery itself.
Winners of the lottery are then allowed to apply for immigration visas through the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC).
The State Department always selects more winners of the lottery than there are available visas because many people are disqualified in the visa application process.
However, by properly filing and paying close attention the rules of the Green Card Lottery, one can increase one’s chances of being accepted.
Registration
Immigrants are asked to register for the Green Card Lottery online during the month of October. The registration period occasionally changes and that is why potential immigrants should pay attention to State Department news for new information.
Registrants must meet only two requirements. They are very strict, though, any registrant who applies and doesn’t meet the basics will be rejected automatically.
- Registrants must have a suitable education. The State Department is reluctant to grant an immigration visa to a person who will not be able to support his or herself when they enter the United States, so an education requirement is enforced. Immigrants must have at least a high school education. An exception to this rule is that immigrants who can prove that they have two years of experience in a job that took two years to train for can also apply for the Green Card Lottery.
- Registrants must be from an appropriate country. The Green Card Lottery is also—more formally—known as the Diversity Visa Lottery, the purpose of the program is to promote diversity in United States immigration numbers. Only immigrants from certain countries are allowed to take advantage of this program. Countries are excluded if they exceed a certain number of immigrants to the United States over the past five years. This list changes regularly and should be consulted before applicants register.
Applying for a Visa and Citizenship
After registering, applicants will be then allowed to apply for a visa. If the visa is granted they will then go to the United States to begin living in America with a Green Card.
Green Card holders can apply for citizenship in as soon as five years as long as other, more specific, requirements are met.