How to prepare for an interview after winning a green card

US Green Card based on Family Reunion

The United States Green Card can be obtained by close relatives of American citizens and foreigners with a valid Green Card, acting as sponsors for their family.

In the case of a US permanent resident

• • Spouses
  • Unmarried children of any age, including adopted children and stepchildren.

In the case of a US citizen

• • • Spouses.
    • Unmarried children of any age, including adopted children and stepchildren.
    • Parents, including reception.
    • Married children of any age.
    • Brothers and sisters.

Family reunification is one of the most common options for obtaining a US Green Card, but at the same time, for some categories of relatives, longest. There are special “preferential categories” or “queues” for which fixed quotas are set for the number of cards issued annually. For example, brothers and sisters can wait for the document until 10 years.

DV Lottery Application Period 2024: dates and details

The DV-2024 lottery is one of the most famous and popular programs for obtaining a green card. (Green Card) in USA. If you want to increase your chances of qualifying for the Diversity Visa program (DV), then you have the right to apply for participation in the DV-2024 lottery.

The application period for the DV-2024 lottery will begin in October 2022 year and ends in November 2022 of the year. If you apply too early or too late, then she will be disqualified. To apply for the DV-2024 lottery, you need to fill out an electronic form (Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form).

If your entry wins the lottery, then you will be eligible for a visa interview (visa) category DV. Lottery results are usually announced in May of the following year (2023 year). If you win the lottery, then you will need to undergo an interview at the US embassy or consulate.

The DV lottery is held every year (DV-2022, DV-2023, DV-2024, etc.) and is intended for residents of countries, whose participation in the Diversity Visa program is insufficient. Applications are accepted only for a specific period of time. General rules for applying for the lottery are listed on the State Department website (www.state.gov).

If you want to get a green card and are a citizen of the country (United States Permanent Resident Card), participation in the DV lottery is not necessary. However, if you win the lottery, then you can get a green card for permanent residence in the USA.

Your photograph or digital image must meet the following requirements:

• Color image;
• In focus;
• The head height in the image should be 22–35 mm (1–1-3/8 inches), or borrow 50%-69% from the total height of the photo. The photo should show your entire head, starting from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin;
• The photo was taken during the last 6 months and corresponds to that, what do you look like at the moment;
• The background of the photo should be white or close to white.;
• Taking pictures, look straight into the camera;
• Facial expression should be neutral, eyes are open;
• Cloth, which falls into the frame, should be everyday;
• ️ Photos of applicants in uniform will not be accepted. Clothing is an exception., worn every day for religious reasons;
• ️ Photos of applicants wearing a headdress are not accepted, which hides the hair or hairline. The exception is hats, which are worn every day for religious reasons. The face must be completely visible, the headdress should not obscure the face;
• ️ Photos are not accepted, showing the applicant wearing headphones, wireless headset and similar devices;
• ️ Don't take pictures with GLASSES;
• If you regularly wear a hearing aid or similar device, you can take pictures with them.

Check out photo examples on the Photo Examples page. ️ Photos, copied or scanned from a driver's license or other official document, not accepted.

️ Household photos are also not accepted, photos from magazines, low quality photos, made in vending machines or on a mobile phone, as well as photographs, made to full length.

Where to find out the result of the draw

To find out the final status of your application in the Green Card lottery, necessary:

If you don't win, you will see a page with the following message:

Based on the information provided, the Entry HAS NOT BEEN SELECTED for further processing for the Electronic Diversity Visa program at this time. Please verify that you have entered all information correctly. You may re-check the Entry status by clicking on the ESC Home Page link below.

Translation:

"Based on the information provided, your application was not selected for further processing under the Electronic Diversity Visa program. Make sure, that you have provided all the information correctly. You can check your application status again, by going to the main page".

If you receive a positive response, then you will see a message page: You have been randomly selected for further processing in the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program for the fiscial year 2021 .

Translation: “You have been randomly selected for further processing in the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program for the fiscal year 2021 ».

Green Card Visa Lottery

For similar immigrants, as part of the Diversity Visa Lottery program, every financial year available 50 000 visa, which are distributed among six geographical regions, however, no country can count on more than 7 % visas for one year.

New requirements for immigrants – Public Charge

Public Charge

C 24 February 2020, new rules of Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds came into force. According to these rules, most immigrants to the US must prove, that they will not become a burden to American society.

Regulations, introduce a number of criteria for assessing the suitability of an immigrant, wishing to obtain a US Green Card.

Winning the Green Card Lottery, obtaining an immigrant visa, or change of status in the United States, beginning with 24 February 2020 of the year, will be possible only if, that the foreigner will prove his financial and professional worth.

That's why, before starting the immigration process, evaluate your chances of completing it in light of tough innovations.

Instructions have been developed for consular employees 9 FAM 302.8 (U) PUBLIC CHARGE — INA 212(A)(4). This document instructs the immigration officer on what aggregate factors to evaluate a potential immigrant..

• Receiving social assistance (benefits) from US government agencies, during 12 months over the past 36 months(receiving the money, food stamps, rental subsidies, medical care;
• Age. Under 18 or older 62 years is not a favorable factor;
• Health status. Absence of diseases, that impede employment in the United States or that could create a burden on US healthcare;
• Family status (family composition, number of dependents). There must be a potential for financial support for the family at a level of at least 125% from the poverty level in the USA;
• Availability of finances and/or assets (real estate, shares, etc.);
• Annual income level ;
• No debt (loans, loans);
• The level of education (basic, professional, higher), acquired specialty;
• Profession, work experience in the profession, professional licenses, certificates of advanced training;
• English language level (language certificates);
• Past violations of US law (illegal stay, deportation, arrests, etc.);

I-864P US Poverty Level for Immigration

Confirmation of participation in the Green Card Lottery

After submitting an application for participation in the lottery, registration confirmation appears on the screen, which contains your name, as well as a unique confirmation number (Confirmation Number).

You must save this confirmation, since to check the results you will need a unique confirmation number.

Checking Diversity Visa Draw Results

Every lottery participant, upon completion of the visa draw, can check the results of his participation and find out about his winnings on the official website, above. For DV-2021 participants, who applied in the fall 2019 — the results can be checked on the official website, beginning with 5 May 2020.

What you need to have to check your DV winnings

To check the results you need
have the following data:

1. Unique number, received upon successful registration in the drawing (Confirmation Number). If you lose your unique number, don’t worry, since the site provides an active link “Forgot Confirmation Number”.

Using this service, filling in the required data, you will be able to recover your lost unique DV Lottery participant confirmation identification number;

2. Family name (your last name is Latin,
which was indicated when filling out the application for participation in the draw);

3. Year of birth.

Required documents for the US Embassy

1. Appointment Letter, printed on paper. It must be given to the employee at the entrance to the US Embassy.
2. A document, confirming financial solvency. This may be a job offer from an American employer (Job Offer) or a guarantee of financial assistance from your sponsor (Affidavit of Support). In the absence of the above documents, Bank statements will do, documents on ownership of real estate and car. The US Consul must verify, that you have the necessary funds to move to the USA and will not need financial assistance from the state.
3. Passports of all family members of the lottery winner. They must be valid for 6 months from the interview date.
4. The results of the medical examination of each family member, sealed in an envelope. So it’s worth taking an extract about vaccinations from your outpatient card., or vaccination certificate.
5. Documents on education and work experience. Employment history, diplomas, certificates, English language test results.
6. Photos 5x5 centimeters, two pieces.
7. Marriage certificate. If your marriage is recently registered, you may be asked to confirm the reality of your relationship, requesting photographs and possible documents, who can confirm this.
8. Documents on the dissolution of a previous marriage, if your current marriage is not the first and you are divorced, or remarried (got married).
9. Military ID for older men 18 years.
10. Certificate of no criminal record for older persons 16 years. A certificate is required from each country, in which you lived from above 12 months.

During the interview, you will need translations of all documents into English., as well as cash to pay the visa fee in the amount of 330$. Payment is accepted only in cash.

Help in filling out an application for participation in the green card lottery in the USA

If you want to try yourself in the green card lottery in the USA, but there is no time/desire to deal with the subtleties and details, study the application form in English and prepare a photograph to meet the necessary requirements, we can do it all for you.

In this case, you will be required:

1. Fill out a short form in Russian, Total 6 questions (we will send after payment).
2. Send us photos: your, spouse and all minor children (if there).
3. Pay for our services (payment form is below).

You can take a photo in the studio or take a photo yourself with a camera or smartphone. We will bring it to the necessary requirements ourselves., The main thing, that the following conditions are met.

The photo must be:

• Colored.
• Made no earlier than 6 months before the date of application.
• On a white or gray background (plain, no patterns or textures).
• In casual clothes (not allowed in uniform, You can wear religious clothes).
• Without headdress, points, headphones, headsets, etc..
• With a neutral expression and open eyes.
• The face must be completely in the frame (the head from the chin to the crown should occupy 50-70% Images).
• The photo must not be retouched (not processed in the editor), i.e. you can't remove the background, cover up defects and generally make any changes to the original photograph.

The cost of our services is 1900 rubles for one questionnaire (or 3500 for two questionnaires from one family - this increases the chances of winning 2 times). For regular customers (if you have already submitted an application through us in previous years) discount applies 10%.

As a result, you will receive two documents from us - screenshot, confirming the completed form,

as well as a screenshot with a confirmation code, which you will use to check the lottery results.

We also have a discount system for early bookings! When paying before:

• 1 March: 1500 rubles.
• 1 May: 1600 rubles.
• 1 July: 1700 rubles.
• 1 September: 1800 rubles.
• 1 October 1900 rubles.

After 1 October 2000 rubles.

After 1 November, Due to the large influx of applications, the cost will be 2500 rubles per 1 questionnaire.

Filling out applications, regardless of payment date, will be made during the lottery period (approximately from 4 October to 7 November).

note:

Important!! We do not guarantee you a win and provide services exclusively for collecting documents and filling out the application form. Useful articles:. Useful articles:

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How to take part in the Green Card drawing

If you want to take part in the lottery, You must remember the following things:

You must reside in the country, which is included in the list of states, eligible to participate in the drawing are residents of countries such as Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia and other CIS countries. However, even if the country, where you live, not on this list, there are two ways to overcome this problem:Opportunity number one. If your spouse was born in the country, whose citizens are allowed to participate in the drawing, You can indicate this country in the application form and submit an application from this country.
Possibility number two. If your parents were citizens of the country at the time of your birth, which is on the list of participants, You are eligible to participate from this country, by providing the relevant information in the form.
You must have an official document, which confirms your receipt of secondary education. If you do not have a certificate of secondary education, You can provide proof of experience in that position, training for which must last at least two years

In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to, that this experience must be acquired at least five years before submitting the application.
S 2021 To participate, you must have a foreign passport. If the application is issued for a family, It is sufficient for only the main applicant to have a passport. The main applicant will need to provide a passport number, country of issue and expiration date of the passport

If your passport number changes before you receive your visa, then you will need to provide evidence, explaining the reason for the replacement. If you enter incorrect or false passport information, then the application will be disqualified.

The main applicant will need to provide a passport number, country of issue and expiration date of the passport. If your passport number changes before you receive your visa, then you will need to provide evidence, explaining the reason for the replacement. If you enter incorrect or false passport information, then the application will be disqualified.

Important information: there is a site https://www.onetonline.org, where you can check whether your experience meets the required requirements.

Transition from L-1A to EB-1C Green Card

The EB-1C visa is an option for a foreign manager or executive, who wants to get a green card.

EB-1C Requirements

To apply for EB1C, you need to meet the following requirements:

• As a beneficiary, you must have worked as a manager or executive for a foreign company for at least one year in the last three years before filing the petition, and you are entering the United States, to continue working for the same employer.
• As an applicant, the employer must have conducted business in the United States for at least one year. The US company must be an affiliate, subsidiary or other legal entity of a foreign company, for whom you worked outside the US.

Procedure for obtaining a Green Card from L-1A status

Except in very rare cases, employer applies for EB-1C visa on behalf of L-1A holder, using Form I-140, Immigration Petition for Alien Worker. Date, when USCIS receives I-140, becomes your "priority date".

Applicant completes Form I-485 to register permanent resident status or adjust status, when it is permitted on the basis of it / her "priority dates". EB-1C is a US permanent resident visa.

Form I-485 Processing Time

Processing of a submitted Form I-485 to adjust status in the United States takes on average between 10 to 12 months.

L-1A visa holder can also apply in person, by scheduling an interview at the US consulate or embassy in your country. Consular interview process can be faster and less expensive, than filing documents in America.

Details about EB-1C

Won a card, but didn't get a visa

It's not uncommon. You found out online, that your application has won. You need to collect all personal documents in originals and appear at the embassy for an interview to obtain a visa.

Basic documents, who will decide your fate:

• Education document: it should be at least average. If education 8-9 classes, must have five years of work experience in the specialty, which requires 2 years of professional training or work experience.
• Certificate of no criminal record from all places of residence, where you were registered for the period 6 months or more. One year of criminal prosecution is a valid reason for refusal.
• All types of documents, confirming your relationship, having children up to 21 of the year, unmarried, even if they don't live with you, as well as marriage and all divorces, which were.
• Health certificate. Serious illnesses such as AIDS or hepatitis C may be a reason for refusal to travel.

Financial condition

If you have spent illegally in the US over 180 days, you will also be denied a visa. Don't neglect your financial situation. During the interview you must show, that you will be able to adapt to the country at first.

In this case, you can show the valuation of the property, bank account with an amount of at least 10000 US dollars. Besides, You can indicate relatives in the USA, ready to provide you with support for the first time.

Example of a bank account statement

To do this, you must obtain written confirmation from them and attach copies of their invoices with sufficient amounts (no less 3000 US dollars). The country must be specified correctly, in which you were born and whose citizenship you have. Not the country, where you currently live - this is one of the common mistakes when filling out the application form.

If you win, you will receive a number, showing your place in line relative to your region in the world. To get a card, you need to be on the first queue list. As soon as they are issued 50000 visa, The drawing program ends.

What could be the consequences?, if you provide false information when applying for the DV Lottery 2024?

Applying for participation in the DV lottery 2024 is a serious step to obtain a green card in the United States of America. But providing false information on an application can lead to serious consequences..

When, if your data is found to be incorrect at any stage of the lottery, at the time of the interview you will be denied a green card. Besides, you may be refused any other visa, not only in the USA, but also in other countries. You may also lose your right to participate in future sweepstakes.

If you have already submitted an application and noticed an error, do not panic. Your application will not be automatically rejected, Therefore, it is recommended to contact the official lottery organizers by email and report the error.

So, if you are planning to take part in the DV lottery 2024, it is important to fill out the application correctly. Application periods and lottery dates are known

If you win, then you will have to pass an interview and administrative check, and only after that you will receive a permanent resident card.

• Application period: October to November 2022 of the year.
• The results will be known in June 2023 of the year.
• The interview must be completed before 30 September 2024 of the year.

Step 3 – obtain an L1 visa

L1 – visa for intra-company transfers. It binds the employee to the employer. That is, upon arrival in the states, you can only work for the company, who issued your visa. In our case it is EPAM. You will not be able to come to America on an L1 visa and work for another company. If you leave EPAM, then your visa will be canceled and you will have to leave the USA.

L1 visa also allows you to bring your spouse and children. At the same time, your spouses will also receive authorization to work in the states, but will NOT be tied to the company. That is, they can work for any company. To do this they will need to obtain an EAD (Employment Authorization Document). This will take several months. My friends received for 6.

The likelihood of receiving an L1 visa is very high. This opinion is based on my observations - my colleagues and I have not yet met colleagues, who was denied this visa.

Example of L1 visa. Photo from usaforforeigners.com

Green Card for Family Members of L-1A and L-1B Visa Holders

The applicant's wife and their children, underage 21 year, and unmarried, are eligible for an L-2 visa. It is valid for the same period, same as L1A or L1B spouse/parent visa.

Spouses, those who received L2 visas, allowed to work in the US after filing an I-765 application and obtaining a work permit (EAD).

Children cannot receive an EAD in L-2 status. Nevertheless, they can attend school.

Each dependent of the employee, requesting labor immigration, must file a separate I-485 application to register permanent resident status or change status as a "derivative applicant" along with the L1 holder's application.

Green Card Privileges

• You will freely enter and exit the United States.
• You can get a job in this country.
• You can open your own business.
• You can use the education assistance program, controlled by the US government.
• You, as a Green card holder, you will pay three times less for training, than foreign citizens.
• You will have a chance to obtain US citizenship through 5 years.
• You will be eligible to receive pension benefits, if you work approximately 10 years until retirement.
• You will be able to legally acquire movable and immovable property, as well as firearms.
• You can cross country borders without obtaining visas, if the US has agreements with them.

Detailed map of US administrative divisions

Your benefits are not limited to this list. You will be eligible for government grants. Besides, will be exempt from export restrictions. You will not have voting rights, which are only possible for citizens of the country.

But as a temporary resident permit holder, you can apply for American citizenship after 5 years. If you wish, you can remain on the card status for life, without applying for citizenship.

Green card does not expire, and if you do not break the law and do not leave the country for a long period, you have the right to maintain this status forever.

What happens within the walls of the Consulate

Let's talk, what to expect from a visit to the US Consulate or Embassy from the moment you enter the building.

Passing the security post

It is better to arrive to the Embassy building early, at least for 15 minutes before the appointed time. There will be a line of people near the entrance, who are assigned different times for the interview. An officer controls the movement of the line. He only lets in those, who's turn at the appointed time.

You must have a printout of the interview time with you along with your passport.. Inside, an American embassy official will review your invitation letter. (Appointment Letter) and will let you pass further.

Inspection and clearance inside the building

There is a storage room inside at the entrance to the Embassy.. You will be asked to leave all your belongings there., in addition to the documents required for the interview. Therefore, it is better not to take unnecessary things with you, and take only the required papers. Pocket items will be placed in a special bag, which will be given to you only after passing the interview. Next you will go through a metal detector, like at the airport.

After that, how will you provide all the documents, you will be asked to pay an immigrant visa fee, as well as additional fees for working with your documents. The total amount per person will be 819$.

Then you get to the next queue, at the end of which you will be fingerprinted. And only after this you will get to the final interview with the consular officer (embassies).

Interview time

When the checks and paperwork are over, it's time to wait for you. Sometimes this period can last for several hours. Listen carefully to last names, which the consular officer calls, after all, they will be pronounced with a characteristic American accent and may sound unusual to the ear.

The interview takes place opposite the window, where does the consular officer sit?. First, what they will evaluate about you is your appearance. Americans love simplicity in their clothing., so there is no point in wearing expensive clothes. It is better not to show uncertainty and nervousness, since the officer may regard this as something, that you have something to hide, and then, that you may be insincere.

At the beginning of the interview you will be asked to take an oath to, that you will answer only the truth. If an officer asks you to give him any document, then give him exactly that, what did you ask. No need to transfer the entire stack of documents. Your words and actions must be specific and unambiguous.

Main questions, the answers to which you will be asked:

1. Procedure for participation in the lottery. How many times have you participated, How did you find out about the win?, who filled out the form.
2. Plans for life in the USA. Where are you going to live and work?, who can help you.
3. Family relationships. How many years have you been married, Do you have any children, have you ever had a divorce?. People are checked especially carefully, whose marriage was concluded after winning the Green Card lottery. The officer may cross-examine the spouses: where did they meet, what day did the wedding take place?, description of housing, etc.. This is necessary to identify inconsistencies and fictitious marriages.
4. Education and place of work.
5. Financial position.
6. Family and friendship ties in the USA.

How to take part in the DV lottery 2024?

Lottery DV 2024 provides residents of certain countries with the chance to obtain a permanent visa, so-called green card, and live and work in the United States of America. If you meet all conditions for participation, then you need to register on the official website of the Diversity Visa program.

To register, you need to fill out an electronic form and attach a selfie.. Free registration. After submitting your application, you will be given a unique number to check the status of your application. Submission dates and results deadlines are known annually in October-November, and the lottery runs throughout the year with periodic breaks to process the results.

If you win, you will need to interview at the US embassy in your country, to demonstrate your higher education or significant work experience and pass a medical examination. Additional documents include birth certificates, marriage and criminal records, as well as financial evidence for, to confirm your financial capabilities and ability to live in the United States of America without government assistance.

You can increase your chances of winning, by joining the United States Permanent Resident Card program and submitting your green card application along with participation in the lottery. But, to avoid mistakes and problems in the future, Don't forget to read all the rules and conditions for participating in the DV lottery 2024 and follow them strictly.

Summarizing

To participate in the drawing for a residence permit and the right to work in the United States, you must fill out an application on the official lottery website. Annual registration for the Green Card Lottery takes place in October.. The exact start and end dates for accepting applications are indicated on the official website.

Winning the draw does not automatically mean you will receive a visa.. Each winner must complete an electronic migration visa application, collect the necessary package of documents, successfully pass a medical examination and an interview with a visa officer. If all stages have been completed, the candidate will be given six months to cross the American border using the issued Green Card.

Interview, registration and issuance of visas is carried out in the next financial year after the lottery. That is, if the application is submitted in the fall 2021 of the year, Visa processing will be carried out in 2021 year.