People from countries in recent years who have sent the fewest immigrants to the United States are offered approximately 50,000 green cards yearly in order to ensure an ethnic mix of people immigrate to the United States. The program is known as the green card lottery because the method used for selecting people who can apply for these green cards is randomly selected by a computer.
Entering the lottery is the first step. You must illustrate that you are not inadmissible including showing that you can support yourself financially in the United States or that someone is willing to support you. Additionally, you must show that you are not affiliated with certain physical or mental defects, have not been involved in subversive or terrorist activity and, have not committed certain crimes.
Contact us to inquire if you qualify to apply for the Diversity Visa lottery. We will explain the application process including how to register for the lottery and prepare your application for permanent residence if you are randomly selected.
FAQS
Non-Immigrant Visas: For temporary stays, tourist, student, or work visas.
- B-1/B-2: Business/Tourist visas
- F-1: Student visa
- H-1B: Specialty worker visa
- J-1: Exchange visitor visa
Immigrant Visas: For those wishing to live permanently in the U.S.
- Family-based: For close relatives of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
- Employment-based: For workers in various categories
- Diversity Visa (DV): Based on a lottery for countries with low immigration rates to the U.S.
- Refugee/Asylum: For those fleeing persecution
The processing time can vary greatly depending on the type of visa, country of application, and any delays in documentation or background checks. It can range from a few weeks to several months, or even longer for certain types of visas.
The Visa Bulletin is published monthly by the U.S. Department of State and shows the current wait times for family-sponsored and employment-based green card applications. The bulletin indicates which priority dates are being processed in each category. You can check the current bulletin at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html
Eligibility requirements depend on the visa type, but typically you must prove:
- Your visit’s purpose e.g., tourism, work, study.
- Ties to your home country for non-immigrant visas to show that you intend to return.
- Financial ability to support yourself while in the U.S.
- No criminal background or immigration violations.
No, a tourist visa does not allow you to work in the U.S. If you wish to work, you would need an appropriate work visa like the H-1B or L-1.
In some cases, you can apply for an extension of your visa, B-1/B-2 tourist visa or a change of status to another type of visa such as from a student visa to a work visa. However, approval is not guaranteed, and you must meet the eligibility criteria.
If your visa application is denied, you will be informed of the reason. Common reasons include lack of evidence of ties to your home country, insufficient financial support, or previous immigration violations. In some cases, you can reapply or appeal the decision.
Yes, in numerous cases. If you have a valid visa, your immediate family members, spouse and children under 21 can apply for derivative visas to join you. This is common for work, student, or immigrant visa categories.
Overstaying a visa can result in serious consequences, including:
- Unlawful presence: Accumulating unlawful presence can lead to a ban from re-entering the U.S. for a period of time such as 3 years or 10 years.
- Deportation: You may be removed from the U.S. and barred from returning.
It’s important to apply for an extension or change of status prior to your visa’s expiration if you desire to stay longer.
Contact us for assistance with your visa application or if you have questions about the visa process.