ABOUT THE 2014 DIVERSITY VISA (GREEN CARD) LOTTERY

Transcription

1 ABOUT THE 2014 DIVERSITY VISA (GREEN CARD) LOTTERY

2 Contents to do Next Enter the Green Card Lottery Determine if you Won and What Consular Processing Abroad Adjusting Status in the U.S mygreencard.com 2

3 Enter the Green Card Lottery

4 Who Are We? J. Stephen Wilson is Founder of mygreencard.com Marybeth Rael is a former green card lottery service owner Our editors are members of AILA 4

5 What is a Green Card? Green Card Front Green Card Back 5

6 The Diversity Visa Lottery Program An annual lottery program - U.S. visas (green cards) are available to those who meet eligibility requirements Electronic registration at the U.S. State Department Electronic Diversity Visa (E- DV) web site at Over 100,000 eligible winners selected at random in a computer drawing 50,000 who pass their interview get green cards DV-2016 named for the U.S. State Dept. fiscal year when the visas are awarded 6

7 DV Program Application Statistics Odds of winning depend on number of applicants from your birth country 7

8 Entry Options 1. Enter yourself for free OR 2. Pay for third party assistance The decision depends on your financial situation and other factors. BUT if you can t afford to use a good lottery service then you probably can t afford the visa fee and other costs required to enter and settle into the United States. The total cost depends on how many years you pay for, number of children, and which add-on services you choose. In most cases do not pay for more than two-three years. 8

9 Who is Eligible? 1. Residential Requirements Visa-eligible countries 2. Personal Requirements Secondary Education Or, specific work experience 3. No minimum age, but educational and work requirements disqualify most persons under 18. 9

10 Who is Eligible?, con t DV-2015 Residential Requirements: For DV-2015 all people, EXCEPT natives of the following visa ineligible countries are eligible: ANGUILLA, BANGLADESH, BRAZIL, CANADA, CHINA (MAINLAND BORN), COLUMBIA, BERMUDA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, CAYMEN ISLANDS, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, ECUADOR, EL SALVADOR, FALKLAND ISLANDS, GIBRALTAR, GREAT BRITAIN, HAITI, INDIA, JAMAICA, MEXICO, MONTSERRAT, NIGERIA, PAKISTAN, PERU, PHILIPPINES, PITCAIRN, SOUTH KOREA, ST. HELENA, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM (except Northern Ireland) and VIETNAM are all ineligible. GUATEMALA was newly eligible for DV-2014, POLAND was newly eligible beginning with DV-2013, BANGLADESH is no longer eligible. SOUTH SUDAN was eligible with DV NIGERIA is no longer eligible beginning with DV

11 Who is Eligible?, con t DV-2016 Residential Requirements: The U.S. Department of State will announce the list of visaqualifying countries for the calendar year 2014 lottery ( DV ) in September, We do not expect this list to differ significantly from the list for the calendar year 2013 lottery ( DV-2015 ). 11

12 Who is Eligible?, con t Personal Requirements: Secondary Education Equivalent to a U.S. high school (12-year) graduate NOTE: To register as primary applicant, you must graduate by the date of your visa application, not your lottery registration, to qualify. OR 2 Years experience in a specific occupation that requires at least 2 years of training. For the complete list of allowed occupations, see the Department of Labor O*Net database at Occupation must be designated as Job Zone 4 or 5, with a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP or 7.0 or higher) Examples: Chemist, Lawyer, Technical Writer 12

13 Who Can Enter? You can enter if you live in the United States, OR if you are living abroad. If you are selected, you must have evidence you can pass criminal and medical checks and can financially support yourself with: Personal assets Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) from a friend or relative in the United States Offer of employment from a U.S. employer. 13

14 Entering Yourself Register at the U.S. State Dept E-DV website at: Unless you use a lottery service, you can only enter during the 30-day open registration period in October NOTE: Exact dates change each year All information must be correct! No misspellings, no missing children Data will be verified, including education, and legal status if living in the U.S. Photographs must meet requirements 14

15 Q: Will There be a DV-2017? The Pending Immigration Reform Bill Terminates the Diversity Visa Lottery But Will the Bill Pass the U.S. Congress? Democrats favor keeping the DV Lottery Republicans are resisting immigration reform The United States Association of Immigrants at myusa.org 15

16 Entering Yourself, con t Fill out the Registration Form Make sure you are eligible Enter at the official site at: First validate your photo Answer all questions Print the confirmation page with entry number Ex: 20161O0DZWY3DOV9 Only enter ONCE (or TWICE if married) 16

17 Entering Yourself, con t Information Required: 1. Full Name 2. Date of Birth 3. Gender 4. City Where Born 5. Country Where Born 6. Country of Eligibility 7. Entry Photograph(s) 8. Mailing Address 9. Country Where you Live Today 10. Phone Number (optional) 11. Address (optional) 12. Educational Level 13. Marital Status 14. Number of Children 15. Spouse Information 16. Children Information 17

18 Entering Yourself, con t Notes address. If your entry is selected and you respond to the notification of your selection through the Entrant Status Check, you will receive follow-up communication from the Department of State by notifying you that details of your immigrant visa interview are available on Entrant Status Check. Same-sex marriages are now recognized by immigration law for the purpose of immigrating to the United States. However, your same-sex partner is free to submit his/her own entry into the DV program. 18

19 Digital Photograph Requirements Passport photos required of primary applicant, spouse, and all unmarried children under 21 years at the time of entry Photo not required of children who are already a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident Example: 19

20 Digital Photo Requirements, con t If a digital image is not available, scan color paper photos at a minimum resolution of 300 dots per inch. Image resolution is 600 pixels high x 600 pixels wide. Images must be 24-bit color only. Black and white (grey scale) images are not accepted. Maximum file size is 240 kilobytes. Image file format is jpg. 20

21 Advantages of Using a Lottery Service Convenience Can enter any time of year Some services will scan your paper photos Application checking Confirm eligibility Check for photographic and other errors Follow-up legal services Especially use a service if you have: Poor English or computer skills Services should provide your confirmation number and notify you if you win. Some services will even pay for your travel to the USA if you win! 21

22 Disadvantages of Using a Lottery Service Poor service from some vendors Overcharging False claims of increasing chances of winning 22

23 Lottery Service Reviews MyGreencard.com reviews lottery services annually Rating Criteria: Price Service Information content Reputation and more. Top-ranked services Do not use a poorly rated service 23

24 How are Applicants Selected? 100,000 winners are selected at random by computer Incorrect entries are disqualified for that year only Winners are no longer notified by mail Scammers typically send winning letters by . These are all frauds. 24

25 Electronic Status Checking Winning letters are NO LONGER sent to the 100,000 winners (selectees). You can ONLY check winning status online with your official confirmation number. Approximately twice the number of winners are selected than visas are available. DV-2016 winners must obtain their immigrant visa (or adjust status) during the 2016 fiscal year -- October 1, 2016 to September 30, Winners must enter the U.S. within the next six months. 25

26 For More Information Visit mygreencard.com for the latest dates and deadlines for DV-2014 to DV Download Win the Green Card Lottery! the COMPLETE Do-It-Yourself Guide FREE edition (Chapters 1-3) available for download at COMPLETE version is available at Use one of the ethical lottery service providers we recommend. Official State Department instructions are or will be available at: dvlottery.state.gov 26

27 Determine if you Won and What to do Next

28 Electronic Status Check (ESC) Online status checking began May 1, 2014 for calendar year 2013 (DV-2015) entrants. Required information: Family (last) Name Birth Year Official Confirmation No. Ex: 20154lO0DZWY1DOV9 Visit 28

29 DV-2016 Entrants 1. Check Online at: 2. Electronic status checking for DV-2016 entrants begins May 1, You must have your confirmation number, but it can be retrieved if you lost it. 29

30 More Immigration Statistics Just ten countries get 50% of green cards reserved for the Diversity Visa Program, but the entire program represents less than 5% of the total LPRs admitted per year. 30

31 If You Won You now have a roughly 50% chance of obtaining your green card. KCC selects100,000 winners for only 50,000 green cards. Check your Case Number 31

32 Your Ranking Number The last 8 digits of the Case Number indicates the winner s Ranking Number: Example: 2016EU = Ranking Number 2,345 The monthly Visa Bulletin indicates the waiting list for each Geographic Region. The Visa Bulletin can be found on the U.S. State Dept. web site and: Your Ranking Number must be at or below the number listed on the Visa Bulletin to be Current 32

33 Being Current Current means all winners from a Geographic Region can apply for a green card. Current = an immigrant visa is now available. You cannot be interviewed until a visa is available 33

34 Your Interview Interviews for Green Cards take place in one of two places: 1. U.S. Consulate abroad (aka CP - Consular Processing); or 2. USCIS District Office in the U.S. (aka AOS - Adjustment of Status) KCC should notify winners for Consular Processing when an immigrant visa is available. Winners must notify USCIS when current by filing an AOS application. Use an attorney to help decide where to be interviewed if you have a choice. 34

35 Your Interview, con t It is not the responsibility of the KCC to help DV winners decide where to be interviewed. This important decision is up to each winner. KCC staff are not immigration attorneys and do not know all the laws. 35

36 How to Decide If you live abroad and do not have an American visa, then CP is only choice. If you already have a non-immigrant visa and are in the U.S. you may be eligible for either CP or AOS Some winners in the U.S. may trigger a 3- or 10-year bar from returning if they leave the U.S. to be interviewed abroad Some winners may be removed (deported) if they attempt to adjust status 36

37 How to Decide, con t If you frequently travel legally between your home country and the U.S. on a valid non-immigrant visa you may qualify for AOS. To adjust status, you must be legally present, never worked illegally, and date of I-94 Card must not be expired. If unsure seek professional help 37

38 More Conversations with USCIS, U.S. Consulate, or KCC may be used against you. For some winners, special circumstances permit AOS even if they entered the U.S. illegally REMEMBER: You must get your green card processed by September 30 of your fiscal year. 38

39 Consular Processing Abroad

40 Consular Processing PURPOSE: to have your immigrant visa granted An immigrant visa is a sticker placed in your passport by the U.S. Consulate Immigrant visa required by every family member to enter the U.S. good for only 6 months Green card is not provided by the Consulate, it is mailed after arriving to U.S. 40

41 Send Forms to KCC KCC (Kentucky Consular Center) prepares paperwork for U.S. Consulates abroad Form DS-260 now replaces forms DS-230 Parts I and II for DV-2016 and DV-2016 winners. Sample DS-260 is available at Do not mail original documents to KCC Do not pay fees to KCC List of U.S. Consulates is at: 41

42 Immigrant Visa Interview Scheduled by KCC when Current If KCC does not notify you when you are Current, file Form DS-2001 to request an interview Expect instructions from U.S. Consulate regarding medical exam and what to bring to your interview Pay fees Consular Officer will interview the Principal Applicant and family members 42

43 Entry into the U.S. If approved, Consular Officer will place immigrant visa sticker in your passport Approved applicants are given a sealed envelope to give the American Immigration Officer at Port of Entry Immigrant visa allows entry to U.S. Passport should be stamped with Lawful Permanent Resident approval Green card arrives later in the mail 43

44 Consular Denials The Consular Officer normally makes decision to approve or deny the immigrant visa on same day as the immigrant visa interview If denied, decision is normally given in writing Immigrant visas can be denied when the Consular Officer suspects fraud, misrepresentation, if the applicant is found to be inadmissible, and for other reasons If the applicant is missing paperwork, the Consular Officer may offer an opportunity to submit the missing documents 44

45 Consular Appeals Reasons for inadmissibility include criminal behavior, ill health, entering the U.S. illegally, time spent in the U.S. illegally, falsely claimed U.S. citizenship, and other reasons. There is no appeal of a Consular Officer s decision. Sometimes you can ask a U.S. Congress Representative or American Immigration Attorney to help. A Waiver of Inadmissibility may help but it cannot be submitted until after the Consular Officer makes decision If the Waiver is denied, the U.S. State Dept. offers an informal review, but their decision is not binding on the Consular Officer. See Win the Green Card Lottery for complete information. 45

46 Consular Approval Your official, laminated I-551 Green Card should arrive in the mail about 2-3 weeks after your entry in the United States. CONGRATULATIONS! 46

47 Adjusting Status in the U.S.

48 Adjustment of Status Send forms to Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) See Pay Immigrant Diversity Visa Surcharge Fee(s) to Department of State Determine when your visa is available according to the Visa Bulletin 48

49 USCIS Forms Prepare and submit AOS Applications to the USCIS in Chicago with Fees AOS Forms are available at and USCIS AOS Fees are available at USCIS addresses for mailing are at 49

50 USCIS Forms, con t Follow instructions carefully; many require additional documents. Except for medical and passport photos, do not mail original documents. See Win the Green Card Lottery for important tips and suggestions. 50

51 USCIS Biometrics Biometrics appointment for fingerprinting and photograph Location: Application Support Center near your home After Biometrics, your AOS interview is scheduled at a USCIS District Office 51

52 USCIS Interview Interview notice contains instructions including documentation requirements Immigration Officer will determine eligibility to adjust status to that of a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident You will be asked detailed questions Interview may be taped 52

53 AOS Denials by USCIS Decision by Immigration Officer made same day of interview If denied, decision provided in writing Major reasons for denial include: suspected fraud, misrepresentation, or if applicant is inadmissible If reason is missing paperwork, applicant may submit missing docs 53

54 Appeals and Waivers First you will receive a formal Letter of Intent to Deny AOS by USCIS File a response If response is not acceptable, a Denial Letter will be issued You can file either: an Appeal, a Motion to Reopen, a Waiver of Inadmissibility and/or contact a U.S. Congress Representative or American Immigration Attorney in an attempt to reverse the denial by the end of the fiscal year 54

55 Approval Your official, laminated I-551 Green Card should arrive in the mail about 2-3 weeks after your AOS interview. CONGRATULATIONS! 55

56 Sponsors USGreencardOffice.com Green-card.com 56

57 Etc. Visit mygreencard.com to download our free and paid immigration publications. Get the latest Immigration News from Visit the Albuquerque Immigration Examiner for progressive immigration opinion and current lottery information. 57