The diversity visa lottery program is an opportunity provided by the U.S. State Department for immigrants to obtain permanent legal status in the United States. Also known as a “green card,” obtaining a visa through the diversity lottery program requires applicants to meet certain eligibility criteria; however, there is no fee to enter into the lottery. If you are interested in pursuing the diversity lottery visa program for 2016, we encourage you to speak with a Bronx immigration lawyer right away. Currently, the U.S. offers just 55,000 diversity visas to individuals seeking to enter the United States, and the application period is generally just one month long.
Bronx Immigration Law Firm Helping Immigrants Enter the United States Legally
The diversity visa program was set up by the United States Congress (legislative body) in 1990 as a way to encourage emigration from nations with a historically low rate of immigrants to the U.S. As such, citizens of the following nations are excluded from the diversity lottery: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories and Vietnam. Moreover, no eligible nation may receive greater than seven percent of available diversity visas within a given years.
Your Bronx immigration lawyer will also help you better understand the eligibility criteria to obtain a diversity visa, which includes a thorough background check by U.S. immigration officials. First, applicants must meet education criteria by having either a high school education (or the equivalent) or two years of work experience (within the past five years) in a field requiring at least two years’ training to perform.
Bronx Immigration Law Firm Helping Families of Visa applicants
If you are from an ineligible country but have a spouse who was born elsewhere, your immigration lawyer may be able to help you successfully obtain a diversity visa from the U.S. State Department. In addition, if you are a native of an excluded nation but your parents did not legally reside in that nation at the time of your birth, you may be able to obtain a diversity visa nonetheless.
Bronx Immigration Lawyer Helping to Combat Fraud
There is no fee to enter into the diversity visa lottery program. If you are selected, however, you will be required to pay the regular visa fees assessed to all successful applicants. According to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, a notable increase in fraudulent emails and letters is occurring wherein scammers are posing as U.S. visa officials seeking payment for entrance into the diversity lottery. In addition, scammers posing as “visa consultants” are extracting enormous fees from applicants for help with a diversity lottery application, then absconding with the payment and leaving the potential applicant unassisted. If you suspect this type of fraud or have received suspicious correspondence, visit us right away for further clarification on the diversity visa process.
Contact a Bronx Immigration Attorney Today
If you are ready to get started on your diversity visa application, please call the Law Office of Delmas Costin, Jr. right away. For 2015, the visa lottery closes on November 2, 2014, so be sure to make your appointment today: 718-618-0589.