The Green Card, officially known as the Permanent Resident Card, grants foreign nationals the right to live, work, and reside in the United States. It is designed for individuals who wish to become permanent residents of the U.S., giving them access to certain privileges and benefits associated with American citizenship, regardless of where they were born or live.
The Diversity Visa Lottery (Green Card Lottery) is a program established by the U.S. government in 1990, aimed at increasing ethnic and cultural diversity in the country. It offers an opportunity to citizens from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. to apply for permanent residency. Through this program, 55,000 visas are issued annually to individuals from “diversified countries,” providing people from various regions a unique chance to live and work in the United States.
The Importance of the Green Card
The Green Card provides many privileges to its holders. It not only allows individuals to live and work legally in the U.S., but also offers access to social and economic security benefits. Green Card holders can apply for various social and medical programs, pursue education, reunite with family, and after a certain period, apply for U.S. citizenship.
The Green Card represents a guarantee for foreign immigrants, offering one of the most highly sought-after resources: the legal right to reside in the U.S. This enables them to seek higher quality education, find better employment opportunities, and build a family.
How to Participate in the Green Card Lottery?
The Green Card Lottery is held annually, with the U.S. Department of State accepting applications online, typically in the second half of the year, during October. Applicants must register on a dedicated website for the lottery. Registration is free, but certain eligibility requirements must be met:
- Country of Birth: Only citizens from countries with fewer than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the last five years are eligible. Each year, a list is published outlining which countries are eligible for the lottery. For the 2026 program, citizens of the following countries are ineligible because more than 50,000 immigrants from these nations have moved to the U.S. in the last five years: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong), Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
- Education or Work Experience: Applicants must either have at least a high school education or, in the last five years, have two years of work experience in a profession that requires at least two years of training or education.
- Timely and Accurate Registration: Registration must be completed within the designated period. Applicants must provide detailed information, including their full name, birth date, gender, place of birth, country, a photograph, and, if applicable, information about their spouse and children.
Lottery Results and Process
Once the registration period is over, applicants wait for the results, which are typically announced in May of the following year. The lottery results can be checked on the official Green Card Lottery website. It is important to note that winning the lottery does not guarantee the receipt of a Green Card. Winners must undergo a thorough visa application process, including document verification, an interview at the U.S. embassy, and other requirements.
While the lottery awards 55,000 visas, more winners are often selected to account for those who may not meet all the necessary requirements to receive a visa.
The Green Card Lottery offers a unique opportunity for individuals from around the world who wish to start a new chapter of life in the U.S. It allows them to gain legal status, work, study, and enjoy benefits close to American citizenship. However, the process comes with its challenges, and applicants must carefully handle documentation and complete registration accurately.
Winning a Green Card can be a life-changing event and serves as an open door to new opportunities for people from diverse nations around the world.
How can Avia.ge help with registration?
If you are unable to complete the Green Card application yourself, simply fill out the short form below, providing your name, surname, and contact number. Our operator will then contact you to collect all the necessary information to properly complete the registration process.