Green Card Lottery: Common Mistakes

The Green Card Lottery is ending soon, so you need to be sure to apply before it’s too late, but don’t be in such a rush to file that you make an error that disqualifies your application! The registration period for the 2014 Diversity Visa ends on November 3, 2012, at noon Eastern Standard Time. Generally applications are rejected either for not having the proper qualifications or not being correctly filled out. Here are some common mistakes that consulates have noticed people making.

Country of Chargeability: The Department of State requires that you be from a certain country in order to apply for the Green Card Lottery. Most countries are eligible except for Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Mainland China, Colombia, The Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. However, the country that you live in is not your country of eligibility, rather, it is your country of birth. You can also claim your parent’s country of birth or your spouse’s. If you were born in a state that is no longer extant claim your country of chargeability to be the country that the area is in now.

Multiple entries: Some people believe that they will increase their chances of winning the Green Card Lottery by submitting multiple entries, but they would be wrong. Multiple entries will invalidate your application, so the best you can do to ensure that your application will be accepted is to submit it correctly the first and only time.

Listing Spouses and Children: When you file for the Green Card Lottery it is very important to include the names and information of your spouse and children who you plan on taking with you on the Green Card Lottery Visa. If you don’t include this information, even if you will not be taking your wife or children with you on the visa, your application will be disqualified. The State Department is quite strict when it comes to these rules, so it’s best to do exactly as instructed.

Waiting Too Late: Many people wait far too late to apply for the Green Card Lottery which causes them to not read the instructions very closely. It is surprising how very small details can get you disqualified in this program and if you do not take your time in filing the application you may end up being disqualified for some reason or another. This is why it helps to have a second set of eyes to help you look over your application. This is exactly what USAGreenCardLottery.org does and with our experience and helpful customer service we can help you enter the Green Card Lottery in time for the 2014 Diversity Visa.

So sign up today and get on the path to United States permanent residency!