| A large number of people apply for green card every | | | | requirements and the educational qualifications are |
| day as they dream of working, studying or living in the | | | | specified by the U.S. government under the respective |
| U. S. The U. S. Department of State holds a Diversity | | | | sections. |
| Immigrant Visa program, also known as the "Green | | | | You can be eligible for a green card under the |
| Card Lottery," once every year, and around 50,000 | | | | following conditions: |
| people from various countries around the world are | | | | - Your spouse or you must be the natives of the |
| issued visas for the U. S. The department has its own | | | | countries mentioned on the list of eligible countries. |
| criteria according to which it selects these people who | | | | - In the last five years you must have worked in a |
| are supposed to fill in the requisite forms and furnish | | | | recognized occupation for at least two years. This |
| supporting documents in order to qualify | | | | must also include a training period of about two years. |
| You must have the required knowledge about several | | | | - You can apply online, but you must apply within the |
| aspects if you wish to apply for green card. If you | | | | specified time frame so that your application may be |
| would like to apply for a Diversity Immigrant Visa, using | | | | considered. |
| the green card lottery system, you must complete all | | | | You can apply for green card if you belong to the six |
| the required formalities two years in advance. This | | | | eligible regions that the U. S. government has specified |
| means that if you apply in the year 2009, the results | | | | for a particular year. The U.S. counts those regions |
| will be declared in the year 2011. | | | | ineligible that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to |
| Although it is known as the green card lottery, it is | | | | the country at any time in the last five years. |
| totally different from a financial lottery. In a financial | | | | After You Apply |
| lottery there is a chance that every entrant can | | | | Once you apply for green card lottery you must go |
| equally win. Green card lottery first of all has certain | | | | through a waiting period till the application deadline has |
| restrictions as to which country can apply for that | | | | passed. Every year the date of receiving the "Notice |
| particular year. Then you must qualify for the minimum | | | | of Approval" will be declared by the U. S. Department |
| criteria with regards to education and work experience. | | | | of State. You will be given detailed instructions as to |
| Why You Should Register Now | | | | what you must do after you are selected. For |
| If you are a native of the eligible country for a | | | | example, for the year 2008, people who have been |
| particular year, you are at an advantage if you register | | | | selected for diversity immigrant visas through the |
| immediately rather than go through a family or an | | | | green card lottery system will receive their approval |
| employer. If you are chosen through the green card | | | | letter at anytime from April to July of the year 2009. |
| lottery, you get the legal right to live and work in the U. | | | | Although the 50,000 people chosen are selected |
| S. This means that you do not have to spend time | | | | randomly, submitting your application early may have |
| waiting and you do not have to travel on a visitor's | | | | an advantage. The people who have submitted their |
| visa. | | | | applications on time and those whose documents are |
| Eligibility | | | | in the proper format are the ones who stand a good |
| The eligibility for applying for the green card lottery is | | | | chance of being awarded with a visa. |
| specified under Section 203 (c) of the Immigration and | | | | Since the U. S. Department of State is in charge of |
| Nationality Act (INA) every year. The eligible list of | | | | issuing the diversity immigrant visas, you can apply for |
| countries that can apply for green card, the work | | | | the same online. |