International students are welcome to apply!
As an international student in the U.S., can I participate in the Green Card Lottery?
Yes, international students in the U.S. are generally eligible to participate in the Green Card Lottery, also known as the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery. To be eligible for the lottery, applicants must have been born in a qualifying country and meet certain education or work experience requirements.
You must be from a qualifying country. The U.S. Department of State publishes a list of qualifying countries each year. If you were born in a non-qualifying country, you may still be eligible if you are legally married and spouse was born in a qualifying country, or if one of your parents (either yours or your spouse’s) was born in a qualified country.
You must also have a high school education or its equivalent, or two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.
Remember that participation in the Green Card Lottery does not guarantee that you will receive a green card. The lottery selects winners randomly, and only a limited number of green cards are available each year. If you are selected, you will need to go through a rigorous screening process to confirm that you do, indeed, satisfy all the program’s eligibility requirements.
Why would I consider applying for the DV Lottery?
As a foreign student in the U.S., you may consider applying for the DV Lottery because of the many potential benefits you can get when you win the lottery. Examples include:
-
Opportunity for Permanent Residency: Winning the DV Lottery can lead to permanent residency in the United States, which can offer more stability and opportunities for you and your family.
-
Work Authorization: As a permanent resident, you would be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for an employer-sponsored visa, giving you greater flexibility in your employment options.
-
No Sponsor Required: Unlike other immigration pathways to America that require a sponsor (such as a family member or employer), the DV Lottery does not require you to have a sponsor.
-
Ability to Sponsor Family Members: As a permanent resident, you would be able to sponsor certain family members for immigration to the U.S., which can help reunite families that are separated by borders.
-
Access to Public Benefits: Permanent residents are generally eligible for certain public benefits, such as social security, Medicare, and other government benefit programs.
-
Path to Citizenship: If you become a permanent resident through the DV Lottery, you may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after a certain period of time.
-
Low Cost: The DV Lottery is a cost-effective option for foreign students who are interested in obtaining permanent residency in the U.S., with the per-person DV Lottery fee currently (as of March 2023) set at $330 USD per program selectee.
You should remember that the DV Lottery is highly competitive, and winning the lottery does not guarantee that you will get a green card. However, for those who are eligible, the DV Lottery is an attractive and low-effort option to explore for permanent residency in the U.S.
If I participate in the DV Lottery will my student visa be affected in any way?
Participating in the Diversity Visa Lottery as an international student in the U.S. should not have any effect on your F-1 student visa status. The DV Lottery is a separate program from the F-1 student visa program, and participation in the lottery does not impact your ability to maintain your F-1 visa status or your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
However, if you do win the DV Lottery and are approved for a green card, you will need to adjust your visa status from F-1 (student) to lawful permanent resident. There is a slight possibility that this process may require you to leave the U.S. temporarily to complete the necessary paperwork and attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. But in most cases, if you are already in the U.S., you will be allowed to adjust your status from within the country.
If you are in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa, such as an F-1 visa, you must maintain your nonimmigrant status while your green card application is pending. This means that you must continue to attend school and follow the terms of your visa until your green card is approved.
If you have any questions or concerns about how participating in the DV Lottery may impact your visa status, you should talk with an immigration attorney or an international student advisor at your school.
Are there any other considerations I should make before I participate?
Yes, there are several other considerations that you should make as a foreign student before participating in the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, including:
-
Eligibility: Before you apply for the DV Lottery, you should carefully review the eligibility requirements to ensure that you meet all the necessary criteria. If you do not meet the requirements, your application may be disqualified, and you will not be eligible for a green card.
-
Timing: You should also consider the processing times for green card applications, as it may take several months or even years to receive a green card even if you are selected for the DV Lottery. Professional services, like USA Green Card, accept applications all year round.
-
Immigration Status: If you are in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa, such as an F-1 visa, you should carefully consider the potential impact of applying for the DV Lottery on your visa status. Participating in the lottery will not impact your current visa status, but if you are selected and adjust your status to permanent resident, you may need to leave the U.S. temporarily to complete the necessary paperwork and attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
-
Legal Assistance: Diversity Visa issuance is a complex process, and it is recommended that you seek the assistance of an immigration attorney, an international student advisor at your school, or the experts at USA Green Card to ensure that you are fully informed of your options and the potential consequences.
-
Cost: In addition to DV Lottery fees for program selectees, keep in mind that there may be additional costs associated with the green card application process, like fees for medical exams and background checks. Carefully consider these costs before applying for the DV Lottery.
You should consider all of these important factors before applying for the DV Lottery to ensure that you are making an informed decision that is in your best interests.
How do I begin my application?
Are you ready to apply to the Green Card Lottery? To begin your application, follow these steps:
-
Check Eligibility: Before you apply, you should review the eligibility requirements to ensure that you meet all the necessary criteria.
-
Gather Required Information: You will need to provide personal information, such as your full name, date of birth, and contact information, as well as information about your education and work experience.
-
Submit Your Application: You can submit your DV Lottery application online. The application form will also ask you to upload a recent passport-style photo of yourself and family members (if any).
-
Wait for Results: If you are selected for a visa, you will be notified and provided with instructions on how to proceed.
#ForeignStudents #GreenCardLottery #DVLotteryStudents
Back To Home
