What is the Green Card Lottery?

Do you want to live and work in the United States? A green card gives you the chance to do just that. It also the first step towards U.S. citizenship that could open up a world of opportunities.

Every year, United States gives out 50,000 green cards through the diversity visa lottery. A green card is a visa (also called a diversity visas) allows you and your family to live and work in the United States. Unlike tourist, student or work visas, the green card will make you a permanent U.S. resident with no time limit.

Who can apply?

People from most countries can apply. There is no minimum or maximum age limit. You need at least a high school degree or equivalent or a two years work experience in an occupation requiring at least two years training or experience. 

How do I apply for the lottery?

We recommend using USAFIS when applying for your green card. USAFIS offers help in many different languages and if you win, they will even give you a free airline ticket to the United States.

What are my chances?

Since one of the purposes of the green card lottery is to bring diversity, countries with fewer people immigrating to the United States have a higher chance.

The green card program divides the world into geographic regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America. The world is divided up into high and low admission regions and each of the six regions is divided into high and low admission states. A greater portion of the visas goes to the low admission regions than to high admissions regions. No single state may receive more than 7% (3,500) of the 50,000 allotted visas for Complete Do it Yourself Immigration Kits.