When most people think about immigration, they imagine people sneaking in from other countries or trying to hide from criminal charges. What most people don't realize about immigration, however, is how difficult it is to live other places. In my native homeland, I had a difficult time feeding my kids on a shoestring budget, and I worried about safety on a daily basis. I needed an immigration attorney to make my dreams of a peaceful existence possible. I created this blog to help you to see how much of a difference the right legal counsel can make, so that you don't have to worry about the future.
If you have the right qualifications and wish to immigrate to the U.S., the Diversity Visa program might be right for you. This program grants permanent visas (also known as green cards) to 55,000 people each year. While that number has been lowered to 50,000 – temporarily – the program still represents a valuable opportunity for those that meet the guidelines to enter the U.S. legally. Read on to find out more about this program.
The Diversity Visa Program
This program is meant to allow a fixed number of foreigners into the U.S. on a regular basis by use of a lottery and visa application process. While the 50,000 or more immigrants allowed to enter the U.S. seems like a high number, the worldwide interest in immigration to the U.S. means that not everyone that applies and qualifies is chosen to immigrate. Here is how the program works, step-by-step.
Apply to the Lottery
The lottery winnows the number of applicants who are allowed to apply for visas down, which lessens the administrative burden. You can apply to be part of the lottery online, and you should be prepared to upload a digital photograph of yourself. Applying for the immigration lottery is free of charge.
Be Selected by the Lottery
If you are randomly selected in the lottery, you must move onto the next step—time is of the essence. Not everyone that is selected in the lottery will be able to get a visa since there are not enough visas available to all lottery winners. The sooner you apply, the greater your chances will be.
Complete a Visa Application
The visa application process consists of an application that should be completed, a medical examination, and a personal interview at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy location in your country. There is a fee of $330 that must be paid at the time of the interview.
Are You Eligible for the Program?
Your country of residence has a bearing on entry into this visa program, with only certain countries qualifying for so many applicants in a year. The countries and the applicants are chosen using statistics that target places that sent fewer immigrants to the U.S. in the past year. This is an attempt to diversify the immigrant population entering the U.S. You must demonstrate that you have either a high school education (at the minimum) or at least two years of work experience that can be connected to work training in the U.S.
Speak to an Immigration Lawyer
Immigration applications and programs can be exceedingly complex to understand and deal with. Speak to an immigration lawyer who knows the law and can assist you in gaining a successful and legal entry into the U.S.
Share14 March 2019
