As in years past, millions of people from all over world will submit entries to have a chance at one of 50,000 diversity immigrant visas and obtain “green card” status in the US. Excluded from eligibility are natives of Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and Vietnam. That is because these are considered to be “high admission” nations, and the basis of Congress establishing the visa lottery statute was to provide immigration opportunities for individuals from other, non-high-admission countries. The determination of which countries are “high admission” is made year to year.

The entry period for the 2014 visa lottery begins at noon (EDT) on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 and continues through noon (EDT) November 3, 2012. Individuals who are picked will ultimately be eligible to enter the US (or adjust their status, if they are already in the US and are otherwise eligible) during the 2014 fiscal year which runs from October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014. There is no fee to enter the visa lottery, and entrants will be able to learn of the success or failure of their effort starting around May 1, 2013 via online case status check. (Be aware – the only time an applicant will be asked to submit a fee is after his entry has been chosen and it is requested by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the context of the processing of his immigrant visa.)

Importantly, chosen applicants will not be advised of the success of their applications via email or other direct communication from the Department of State or other government agency. Thus, applicants who receive such a congratulatory or “winning” email should know that it is a fraud and avoid getting caught up in such a predatory scam! Instead, all applicants will be directed to check the status of their entry online starting May 1, 2013 and through June 30, 2014, via Department of State website and through an individualized confirmation number provided entrants after the submission of their application.

Some features: (FYI, anything and everything you need to know about the visa lottery and entry instructions can be found at www.dvlottery.state.gov. Accordingly, beware of websites or companies charging exorbitant fees to “consult or offer special “inside” assistance with the process!)

All entries are electronic and like in years past, among other requirements, applicants must submit photos conforming to detailed specifications.

Other noteworthy features of the DV 2014 Green Card lottery:

• Winners are chosen randomly, and again, there is no initial application fee.

• Applicants must have either a high school education or its equivalent, OR two years of experience working in a “skilled” position within the past 5 years (details on what types of positions qualify are included on the visa lottery website noted above).

• There is a limitation on one application per individual. Qualifying individuals in the same household may submit individual applications.

• Applicants can be living in the U.S. or abroad.

• Those picked as winners are eligible to have their spouse and children under 21 years of age join in on receiving the same green card benefits. Siblings and parents of winners do not stand to derive immigration benefits.

For every detail featured in this column, there are at least 10 that I did not discuss. The application is not rocket science, and again, individuals should not be tricked into thinking they need to pay an exorbitant fee to have their application processed. Nor should anyone be tricked into thinking that payment of a fee to a “professional” increases their chances of being picked. As stated, complete details on the 2014 DV visa lottery program can be accessed at www.dvlottery.state.gov.

PUBLISHED September 25, 2012 – “IMMIGRATION LAW FORUM”
Copyright © 2012, By Law Offices of Richard Hanus, Chicago, Illinois

Published:  October 15, 2011

As in years past, millions of people from all over world will submit entries to have a chance at one of 50,000 diversity immigrant visas and obtain “green card” status in the US.  Excluded from eligibility are natives of Bangladesh (new), Brazil, Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and Vietnam. That is because these are considered to be “high admission” nations, and the basis of Congress establishing the visa lottery statute was to provide immigration opportunities for individuals from other, non-high-admission countries. The determination of which countries are “high admission” is made year to year.

The entry period for the 2013 visa lottery began at noon (EDT) on October 4, 2011 and continues through noon (EDT) November 5, 2011. Individuals who are picked will ultimately be eligible to enter the US (or adjust their status, if they are already in the US and are otherwise eligible) during the 2013 fiscal year which runs from October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013. There is no fee to enter the visa lottery, and entrants will learn of the success or failure of their effort starting May 1, 2012.

Some features: (FYI, anything and everything you need to know about the visa lottery and entry instructions can be found at www.dvlottery.state.gov Accordingly, beware of websites or companies charging exorbitant fees to “consult or offer special “inside” assistance with the process!)

All entries are electronic and like in years past, among other requirements, applicants must submit photos conforming to detailed specifications.

All winners will be chosen randomly by computer and entrants will be able to find out the status of their entry by visiting a specific page on the Department of State website starting May 1, 2012. No email notification will be sent either. Like in years past, applicants are reminded to be on the look-out for scam artists using email and the Internet to take advantage of unsuspecting applicants.

Other noteworthy features of the DV 2013 Green Card lottery:

• There is no requirement that the application be signed.

• There is no initial application fee.

• Applicants must have either a high school education or its equivalent, OR two years of experience working in a “skilled” position (details on what types of positions qualify are included on the visa lottery website noted above).

• There is a limitation on one application per individual. Qualifying individuals in the same household may submit individual applications.

• Applicants can be living in the U.S. or abroad.

• Those picked as winners are eligible to have their spouse and children under 21 years of age join in on receiving the same green card benefits. Siblings and parents of winners do not stand to derive immigration benefits.

For every detail featured in this column, there are at least 10 that I did not discuss. The application is not rocket science, and again, individuals should not be tricked into thinking they need to pay an exorbitant fee to have their application processed. Nor should anyone be tricked into thinking that payment of a fee to a “professional” increases their chances of being picked. As stated, complete details on the 2013 DV visa lottery program can be accessed at www.dvlottery.state.gov.

 
PUBLISHED October 15, 2011 – “IMMIGRATION LAW FORUM” Copyright © 2011, By Law Offices of Richard Hanus, Chicago, Illinois

As in years past, millions of people from all over world will submit entries to have a chance at one of 50,000 diversity immigrant visas and obtain “green card” status in the US. Like last year, excluded from eligibility are natives of Brazil, Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and Vietnam. That is because these are considered to be “high admission” nations, and the basis of Congress establishing the visa lottery statute was to provide immigration opportunities for individuals from other, non-high-admission countries. The determination of which countries are “high admission” is made year to year.

The entry period for the 2012 visa lottery began at noon (EDT) on October 5, 2010 and continues through noon (EST) November 3, 2010 (this year the entry period has been reduced to just 30 days). Individuals who are picked will ultimately be eligible to enter the US (or adjust their status, if they are already in the US and are otherwise eligible) during the 2012 fiscal year which runs from October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012. There is no fee to enter the visa lottery, and entrants will learn of the success or failure starting May 1, 2011.

Some features: (FYI, anything and everything you need to know about the visa lottery and entry instructions can be found at www.dvlottery.state.gov  Accordingly, beware of websites or companies charging exorbitant fees to “consult or offer special “inside” assistance with the process!)

All entries are electronic and in years past, among other requirements, applicants must submit photos conforming to detailed specifications. This year however, the photograph must be scanned at a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (dpi).

All winners will be chosen randomly by computer and unlike previous years where notifications were sent by way of conventional mail, this year entrants will find out the status of their entry by visiting a specific page on the Department of State website starting May 1, 2011. No email notification will be sent either. Like in years past, applicants are reminded to be on the look-out for scam artists using email and the Internet to take advantage of unsuspecting applicants.

Other noteworthy features of the DV 2012 Green Card lottery:

• There is no requirement that the application be signed.
• There is no initial application fee.
• Applicants must have either a high school education or its equivalent, OR two years of experience working in a “skilled” position (details on what types of positions qualify are included on the visa lottery website noted above).
• There is a limitation on one application per individual. Qualifying individuals in the same household may submit individual applications.
• Applicants can be living in the U.S. or abroad.
• Those picked as winners are eligible to have their spouse and children under 21 years of age join in on receiving the same green card benefits. Siblings and parents of winners do not stand to derive immigration benefits.

For every detail featured in this column, there are at least 10 that I did not discuss. The application is not rocket science, and again, individuals should not be tricked into thinking they need to pay an exorbitant fee to have their application processed. Nor should anyone be tricked into thinking that payment of a fee to a “professional” increases their chances of being picked. As stated, complete details on the 2012 DV visa lottery program can be accessed at www.dvlottery.state.gov

PUBLISHED October 5, 2010 – “IMMIGRATION LAW FORUM”
Copyright © 2010, By Law Offices of Richard Hanus, Chicago, Illinois

As in years past, millions of people from all over world will submit entries to have a chance at one of 55,000 diversity immigrant visas and obtain “green card” status in the US. Excluded from eligibility are natives of Brazil (new to the list), Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru (new to the list), Philippines, Poland, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and Vietnam. That is because these are considered to be “high admission” nations, and the basis of Congress establishing the visa lottery statute was to provide immigration opportunities for individuals from other, non-high-admission countries. The determination of which countries are “high admission” is made year to year.

The entry period for the 2011 visa lottery began at noon (EDT) on October 2, 2009 and continues through noon (EST) November 30, 2009. Individuals who are picked will ultimately be eligible to enter the US (or adjust their status, if they are already in the US and are otherwise eligible) during the 2011 fiscal year which runs from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011.

Some features:

• For the 6th year in a row, all entries are electronic, with specific, detailed instructions available here. As in years past, among other requirements, applicants must submit photos conforming to detailed specifications.
• All winners will be chosen randomly by computer and notifications will be forwarded by way of conventional mail sometime between May and July, 2010. Applicants are specifically advised that email notification should not be expected, and to be on the look-out for scam artists using email and the Internet to take advantage of unsuspecting applicants. (Applicants are also provided with instructions for reporting Internet fraud or unsolicited emails).

Other noteworthy features of the DV 2011 Green Card lottery:

• There is no requirement that the application be signed.
• There is no initial application fee.
• Applicants must have either a high school education or its equivalent, OR two years of experience working in a “skilled” position.
• There is a limitation on one application per individual. Qualifying individuals in the same household may submit individual applications.
• Applicants can be living in the U.S. or abroad.
• Those picked as winners are eligible to have their spouse and children under 21 years of age join in on receiving the same green card benefits. Siblings and parents of winners do not stand to derive immigration benefits.
• Applicants may check the status of their entry by way of the official DV lottery/State Dept. website – see above.

For every detail featured in this column, there are at least 10 that I did not discuss. The application is not rocket science, and individuals should not be tricked into thinking they need to pay an exorbitant fee to have their application processed. Nor should anyone be tricked into thinking that payment of a fee to a “professional” increases their chances of being picked. As stated, further details on the 2011 DV visa lottery program can be accessed here.

PUBLISHED October 4, 2009 – “IMMIGRATION LAW FORUM”
Copyright © 2009, By Law Offices of Richard Hanus, Chicago, Illinois

As in years past, millions of people from all over world will submit entries to have a chance at one of 55,000 diversity immigrant visas and obtain “green card” status in the U.S. Excluded from eligibility are natives of Brazil (new to the list), Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru (new to the list), Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and Vietnam. That is because these are considered to be “high admission” nations, and the basis of Congress establishing the visa lottery statute was to provide immigration opportunities for individuals for other, non-high – admission countries. The determination of which countries are “high admission” is made year to year.

The entry period for the 2010 visa lottery will begin began at noon (EDT) on October 2, 2008 and continues through noon (EST) December 1, 2008. Individuals who are picked will ultimately be eligible to enter the US (or adjust their status, if they are already in the US and are otherwise eligible) during the 2010 fiscal year which runs from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.

Some features:

For the 5th year in a row, it is expected that all entries will be electronic and specific, detailed instructions will be available in the coming few days at www.travel.state.gov. As in years past, it is likely that applicants will have to include photos conforming to detailed specifications.

All winners will be chosen randomly by computer and notifications will be forwarded by way of conventional mail sometime between May and July, 2009. Applicants are specifically advised that email notification should not be expected, and to be on the look-out for scam artists using email and the Internet to take advantage of unsuspecting applicants. (Applicants are also provided with instructions for reporting Internet fraud or unsolicited emails).

There is no longer a requirement that all applications be signed.

There is no initial application fee.

Applicants must have either a high school education or its equivalent, OR two years of experience working in a “skilled” position.

There is a limitation on one application per individual. Qualifying individuals in the same household may submit individual applications.

Applicants can be living in the U.S. or abroad.

Those picked as winners are eligible to have their spouse and children under 21 year s of age join in on receiving the same green card benefits. Siblings and parents of winners do not stand to derive immigration benefits.

For every detail featured in this column, there are at least 10 that I did not discuss. The application is not rocket science, and individuals should not be tricked into thinking they need to pay an exorbitant fee to have their application processed. Nor should anyone be tricked into thinking that payment of a fee to a “professional” increases their chances of being picked. As stated, further details on the 2010 DV visa lottery program can be accessed in the coming week at http://travel.state.gov

PUBLISHED September 25, 2008 - “IMMIGRATION LAW FORUM”
Copyright © 2007-2008, By Law Offices of Richard Hanus, Chicago, Illinois

Like in years past, millions of people from all over world will submit entries to have a chance at one of 50,000 diversity immigrant visas and obtain “green card” status in the U.S. Excluded from the program are natives of Brazil (new to the list), Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru (new to the list), Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and Vietnam. That is because these are considered to be “high admission” nations, and the basis of Congress establishing the visa lottery statute was to provide immigration opportunities for individuals for other, non-high admission countries. A determination of which countries are “high admission” is made year to year.

The entry period for this year’s visa lottery began at noon (EST) on October 4, 2006 and continues through noon (EST) December 3, 2006. Individuals who are picked will ultimately be eligible to enter the US (or adjust their status, if they are already in the US and are otherwise eligible) during the 2008 fiscal year which runs from October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008.

Some features:

For the 4th year in a row, all entries are electronic. Applicants must register at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period, and all application must include photos conforming to detailed specifications.

All winners will be chosen randomly by computer and notifications will be forwarded by way of conventional mail between May and July, 2007. Applicants are specifically advised that email notification should not be expected, and to be on the look-out for scam artists using email and the Internet to take advantage of unsuspecting applicants. (Applicants are also provided instructions for reporting Internet fraud or unsolicited emails).

The requirement that all applications be signed has been eliminated.

There is no initial application fee.

Applicants must have either a high school education or its equivalent, OR two years of experience working in a “skilled” position.

There is a limitation on one application per individual. Qualifying individuals in the same household may submit individual applications.

Applicants can be living in the U.S. or abroad.

Those picked as winners are eligible to have their spouse and under 21 year old children join in on receiving the same green card benefits. Siblings and parents of winners do not stand to derive immigration benefits.

For every detail featured in this column, there are at least 10 that I did not discuss. The application is not rocket science, and individuals should not be tricked into thinking they need to pay an exorbitant fee to have their application processed. Nor should anyone be tricked into thinking that payment of a fee to a “professional” increases their chances of being picked. Further details on the DV visa lottery program can be accessed at http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html

Like in years past, many foreign nationals do not get to participate in this year’s visa lottery where millions from all over world submit entries to have a chance at one of 50,000 diversity immigrant visas and obtain “green card” status in the U.S. Excluded from the program are natives of Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia (new to the list), South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and Vietnam. That is because these are considered to be “high admission” nations, and the basis of Congress establishing the visa lottery statute was to provide immigration opportunities for individuals for other, non-high admission countries. A determination of which countries are “high admission” is made year to year.

The entry period for this year’s visa lottery begins at noon (EST) on Friday, October 5, 2005 and continues through noon (EST) Sunday, December 5, 2005. Individuals who are picked will ultimately be eligible to enter the US (or adjust their status, if they are already in the US and are otherwise eligible) during the 2007 fiscal year which runs from October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007.

Some features:

• All entries are electronic. Paper entries continue to no longer be accepted. To enter the new visa lottery, applicants must register at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the 60 day registration period, and all application must include photos conforming to detailed specifications.
• All winners will be chosen randomly by computer and notifications will be forwarded by way of conventional mail between May and July, 2007.
• The requirement that all applications be signed has been eliminated.
• There is no initial application fee.
• Applicants must have either a high school education or its equivalent, OR two years of experience working in a “skilled” position.
• There is a limitation on one application per individual. Qualifying individuals in the same household may submit individual applications.
• Applicants can be living in the U.S. or abroad.
• Those picked as winners are eligible to have their spouse and under 21 year old children join in on receiving the same green card benefits. Siblings and parents of winners do not stand to derive immigration benefits.

For every detail featured in this column, there are at least 10 that I did not discuss. The application is not rocket science, and individuals should not be tricked into thinking they need to pay an exorbitant fee to have their application processed. Nor should anyone be tricked into thinking that payment of a fee to a “professional” increases their chances of being picked.

Further details on the DV visa lottery program can be accessed at http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2005/Sep/21-691169.html.

Like in years past, those from Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia (new to the list), South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and Vietnam do NOT get to participate in this year’s visa lottery where millions from all over world submit entries to have a chance at one of 50,000 diversity immigrant visas and obtain “green card” status in the U.S. That is because these are considered to be “high admission” nations, and the basis of Congress establishing the visa lottery statute was to provide immigration opportunities for individuals for other, non-high admission countries. A determination of which countries are “high admission” is made year to year.

The entry period for this year’s visa lottery begins Saturday, November 1, 2003 and continues through Tuesday, December 30, 2003. Individuals who are picked will ultimately be eligible to enter the U.S. (or adjust their status, if they are already in the U.S. and are otherwise eligible) during the 2005 fiscal year which runs from October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005.

Some new features:

• The Big Change: All entries are electronic. Paper entries will no longer be accepted. To enter the new visa lottery, applicants must register at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the 60 day registration period, and all application must include photos conforming to detailed specifications and in the JPEG format.
• All winners will be chosen randomly by computer and notifications will be forwarded by way of conventional mail between May and July, 2004.
• The requirement that all applications be signed has been eliminated.

Like in years past:

• There is no initial application fee
• Applicants must have either a high school education or its equivalent, OR two years of experience working in a “skilled” position.
• There is a limitation on one application per individual. Qualifying individuals in the same household may submit individual applications.
• Those picked as winners are eligible to have their spouse and under 21 year old children join in on receiving the same green card benefits. Siblings and parents of winners do not stand to derive immigration benefits.

For every detail featured in this column, there are at least 10 that I did not discuss. The application is not rocket science, and individuals should not be tricked into thinking they need to pay an exorbitant fee to have their application processed. Nor should anyone be tricked into thinking that payment of a fee to a “professional” increases their chances of being picked.

Further details on the DV visa lottery program can be accessed at www.state.gov/dv2005.