{"id":142,"date":"2012-02-16T16:20:53","date_gmt":"2012-02-16T16:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/?p=142"},"modified":"2024-03-04T14:08:53","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T14:08:53","slug":"is-the-green-card-lottery-right-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/is-the-green-card-lottery-right-for-you","title":{"rendered":"Is the Green Card Lottery right for you?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" style=\"font-size:16px\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h3><strong>Table of content<\/strong><\/h3><nav><div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#is-the-us-green-card-lottery-right-for-you\">Is the US Green Card Lottery Right for You?<\/a><\/div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#alternative-routes-of-entry\">Alternative Routes of Entry<\/a><\/div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#country-of-origin\">Country of Origin<\/a><\/div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#health-status\">Health Status<\/a><\/div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#educational-qualifications\">Educational Qualifications<\/a><\/div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#criminal-record\">Criminal Record<\/a><\/div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#final-thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/nav><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"548\" height=\"219\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/is-the-green-card-lottery-right-for-you.jpg\" alt=\"Is the Green Card Lottery right for You\" class=\"wp-image-187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/is-the-green-card-lottery-right-for-you.jpg 548w, https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/is-the-green-card-lottery-right-for-you-300x119.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 548px) 100vw, 548px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"is-the-us-green-card-lottery-right-for-you\">Is the US Green Card Lottery Right for You?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to the numerous ways to become a permanent resident, it\u2019s reasonable to wonder, is the Green Card Lottery right for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The US Green Card Lottery is one option that many people consider when trying to enter the US. Although the process of applying for the lottery is fairly simple, everyone can qualify due to specific circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>So, let\u2019s go over some of the eligibility criteria to help you decide, is the Green Card Lottery right for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"alternative-routes-of-entry\">Alternative Routes of Entry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing to consider is whether you have alternative routes to obtaining permanent residency in the US. Specifically, do you already have family in the country or is there a chance you could get a job with an American employer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If so, it might be worth investigating these routes. While the Green Card Lottery is arguably simpler, there\u2019s less of a chance that you\u2019ll obtain a Green Card. This is because, as the name suggests, it\u2019s a lottery, so you\u2019re essentially entered into a prize draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, family or employment connections typically result in guaranteed acceptance for residency. Not everyone will have these connections, but if you do, it\u2019s worth thinking about them first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"country-of-origin\">Country of Origin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><br>The country where you were born must be on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/qualifying-countries\">eligibility list<\/a> for the US Green Card Lottery. This means that fewer than 55,000 migrants entered the US from your country within the previous 5 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Your country will be eligible according to these criteria. However, if the number of immigrants to the US changes, your country will be removed from the eligibility list. It is important to be sure of your country\u2019s status before considering the US Green Card Lottery as an option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There are typically some changes every year, although not many. Countries that fall off the list will usually appear again in a few years\u2019 time because their migration numbers are often affected by the lottery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The list of countries that do not qualify for the Green Card Lottery is subject to change from one year to the next, so you can always <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/apply\">apply<\/a> and be on our waiting list should your country not be on the list this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, some countries will never appear on this list. This includes most European countries as well as places like Mexico, Canada, and Australia. These countries always have high levels of immigration to the US, so aren\u2019t eligible under the lottery\u2019s diversity aspect. Unfortunately, if you\u2019re from one of these countries, you\u2019ll have to stick with a \u201ctraditional\u201d route to permanent residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-status\">Health Status<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Knowing your health status is vital when deciding is the Green Card Lottery right for you. That said, the vast majority of health conditions don\u2019t change your eligibility for application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>USCIS is particularly focused on infectious diseases that could pose a threat to the wider American public. Some examples include infectious tuberculosis, smallpox, yellow fever, and COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Your mental health is also considered to an extent when it comes to eligibility. You\u2019ll still be eligible if you\u2019ve had something like depression, but more severe psychiatric conditions might prevent you from entering the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, you\u2019ll need to have the required vaccinations. These include things like measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis a and b, and more. You\u2019ll attend a physical as part of your application process, and the doctor will check your medical records during it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s worth noting that some health conditions won\u2019t make you ineligible on the basis of being infectious, but could make you ineligible because you\u2019d be a likely public charge. In short, this means you\u2019d need government assistance when living in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"educational-qualifications\">Educational Qualifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><br>To apply for the US Green Card Lottery, you must be able to show that you can support yourself in the US. In short, you must have an appropriate level of education to apply for entry-level jobs and\/or enter further education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In the US, this means a minimum of a high school-level diploma. Alternatively, you can have 5 years of work experience that required a minimum of 2 years of training. An extension of this is that you\u2019re expected to have a basic level of English language ability, which should be a given if you\u2019re filling out the lottery forms. The Department of State will use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usa.gov\/dv-lottery-eligibility\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">U.S. Department of Labor\u2019s O*Net Online database<\/a> to determine qualifying work experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>So, when asking yourself, is the Green Card Lottery right for you, consider your education and work experience. While you don\u2019t need a high-level degree or specialist skills, proving you can support yourself is one of the main qualifications to apply for the US Green Card Lottery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"criminal-record\">Criminal Record<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><br>It should probably come as no surprise that a criminal record could affect your chances of becoming a permanent resident in the US. That said, the severity of the crime is a big factor when it comes to applying for the Green Card Lottery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>First, you must have been convicted of the crime. In immigration law, this includes both being convicted in a court and admitting in a plea deal, even if you were told there wouldn\u2019t be a record of the crime. For example, admitting to a drug-related crime and attending rehab as a result would count as a conviction. <div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a few different types of crime that could make you ineligible. The first is your country\u2019s equivalent to an aggravated felony, which includes things like murder and tax fraud. Then there\u2019s \u201ccrimes of moral turpitude\u201d, which are generally the same. Finally, there are drug crimes, which are fairly self-explanatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, different countries have different opinions of criminal severity, particularly for something like drug-related crime. Relatively minor offences, such as burglary or assault, likely won\u2019t impact your eligibility. But if you do have a criminal record, it might be worth speaking to a lawyer before deciding whether or not to apply for the Green Card Lottery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Hopefully, you\u2019ll now be able to ask yourself, is the Green Card Lottery right for you? Remember, none of the things discussed above will necessarily make you ineligible, but it\u2019s worth considering them in more detail before applying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are still unsure, you should consult with a knowledgeable immigration professional who can answer your questions and determine your eligibility to apply for the US Green Card Lottery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:31px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Apply online today by clicking the green button below<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:45px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/apply\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/images\/apply\/apply-now-us.gif\" alt=\"\" title=\"Green Card Lottery\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is the US Green Card Lottery Right for You? Due to the numerous ways to become a permanent resident, it\u2019s reasonable to wonder, is the Green Card Lottery right for you? The US Green Card Lottery is one option that many people consider when trying to enter the US. Although the process of applying for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":187,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-142","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-about-the-usa-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142"}],"version-history":[{"count":46,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5029,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142\/revisions\/5029"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/187"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}