Demand for admission is high, making this immigration channel highly competitive in the United States. According to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) provisions, a few nations with high immigration rates into the US are denied participation in the Green Card Lottery, formally referred to as the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program. Non-English versions for or by the US Department of State can receive the name of the program; it offers around 50,000 immigrant visas annually, randomly selected from applicants who fulfill basic eligibility requirements. A process is generally free of charge; however, applicants need to be strictly in compliance with the application guidelines to avoid immediate disqualification. The accepted formal name for the program is the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program.
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The U.S. Green Card Lottery is running right now — no job offer, no sponsor, no huge investment needed. Just a clean application and the courage to say… pic.twitter.com/Lz014wrmWr
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Key Facts
Started: In 1990, under the Immigration Act
Who operates it: U.S. Department of State
Number of visas allotted every year: 50,000 permanent resident visas
Fee to apply: None (fraudulent sites may ask for money)
When to apply: Usually opens in October and closes in November annually
How selections are made: By a random drawing of names conducted and computerized.
When to issue the green cards: On or after the first of October of the next year, offering, for example, the issue of green cards from October 1, 2025, for DV-2026.
Details About the Green Card Lottery
Winning the Green Card lottery is a big step, but it doesn't mean you automatically get a Green Card. If you win, you still have to go through a tough process. This includes:
- Passing an interview: You'll need to talk with an officer.
- Getting a medical checkup: You'll need to see a doctor.
- Having a background check: The government will check your history.
These steps make sure you meet all the rules for living in the U.S. There are also strict rules for applying:
- You can only enter once. If you send in more than one entry, you'll be automatically disqualified. There are no exceptions.
- Watch out for scams! The only real place to apply is on the official government website. Don't trust other sites.
A good tip for married couples is that both partners can apply separately. This can make your chances of winning better. If one spouse gets picked, the other spouse and their children can also get Green Cards from that same winning entry.
Why Does the US Run This Lottery?
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, often called the Green Card Lottery, was created with a special goal: to make immigration to the United States more diverse.
It does this by offering a chance to people from countries that haven't sent many immigrants to the U.S. in recent years. This helps to even out immigration patterns, ensuring that people from a wider range of backgrounds can come and contribute to American society.
Beyond just balancing origins, the lottery also gives opportunities to skilled individuals who might not have other ways to immigrate. Many traditional visa paths focus on specific family ties or job offers. The DV Lottery acts as an alternative, providing a pathway for talented people who may not qualify through those regular options, enriching the U.S. with a broader mix of cultures and skills.
