Considering immigrating to the USA in 2022? Want to find out the basic requirements for the Diversity Green Card Lottery?
We’ve got the answers for you!
This post examines some of the main requirements required to begin your American Dream via one of the most popular immigration pathways, the Green Card DV Lottery.
What is the DV Lottery?
The DV Lottery is a random visa allocation program for the US. Each year, a computer program selects around 100,000 lottery winners across all regions of the globe. The US strives to preserve a diverse immigration population, which is why no country receives more than 7% of the Visas available in any given year.
What are the three main requirements for the DV Lottery?
Although the program is designed to support people and families who would not otherwise be eligible for a US visa, there are some exceptions to entry based on the following factors:
#1 Country of Birth
#2 Your education and qualifications
#3 Your work experience
Your birth country
Your birth country plays a key role in your chance of winning the Green Card lottery, as some countries are not eligible to apply. In this case, it is not your nationality but your birthplace that determines your eligibility. Excluded from the list are countries that have received more than 50,000 Green Cards through immigration pathways over the past 5 years.
Statistics can change over the years, which means that new countries can be added or removed from the list. Canada, China, and the United Kingdom, however, do not usually qualify as there is often a high volume of applications from these countries.
However, applicants from excluded countries may still be able to apply in certain circumstances. For example, if your husband or wife were born in an eligible country.
Education
The basic requirement is that you must hold the equivalent of a US High School Diploma in your country, or have higher education. This generally includes the completion of both primary and secondary education within 12 years.
Work experience
As an alternative to education, your work experience can help you qualify for the DV Lottery program if you wish to immigrate to the United States. In your application, you will need to show that you have 2 years’ experience in a qualified field over the last 5 years. In this case, a qualified field is one that requires at least two years of training.
It is not possible to apply for the lottery if you do not meet the above requirements, however, it is always wise to consult a seasoned immigration expert to make sure you have all the information.
What else should you know about the DV Lottery scheme?
There can be a few assumptions regarding what is expected of you during the immigration application process since the scheme is so different from other immigration programs. An example is the age requirement. The age limit for applications is not specified. However, it is important to realize that if you are under 16 years old, you will not have obtained a High School Diploma yet.
In addition, you will not be required to prove your financial position during the lottery process, but you will be required to provide it after being invited to the Consular interview.
I Qualify for the DV Lottery – What Now?
Congratulations! You are already halfway toward becoming a Green Card lottery winner. The program opens every October and runs until early November. While you wait, we recommend you speak to a US immigration specialist who can answer more of your questions and discuss your personal circumstances regarding your US visa. The Dream of USA team will guide you through the whole process, advise you on your next steps and assist with any inquiries. Click here for more information.