I WON THE GREEN CARD LOTTERY! | Feli from Germany

Summary

Felicia, a German native living in Cincinnati, Ohio, shares her journey of winning the U.S. green card lottery. She explains the process of obtaining a green card, including the low odds of winning and the necessary steps such as medical exams, interviews, and documentation. Despite the complexities, Felicia is grateful for the opportunity, which grants her freedom and flexibility in the U.S. She reflects on the uncertainty of her long-term future, though she plans to stay in the U.S. for the foreseeable future. Felicia offers insights into the green card lottery and its significance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Felicia won the U.S. green card lottery and is now a permanent resident in the U.S.
• 😀 A green card allows immigrants to live and work permanently in the U.S., with most rights and responsibilities similar to U.S. citizens.
• 😀 A green card is valid for ten years, and after five years, a permanent resident can apply for U.S. citizenship.
• 😀 The green card lottery is officially called the Diversity Visa Lottery and aims to diversify U.S. immigration by providing green cards to applicants from countries with low immigration numbers.
• 😀 There are 55,000 green cards available each year through the lottery, but the chances of winning are very low—around 0.2% of all applicants.
• 😀 To qualify for the lottery, applicants must meet a few requirements, including being from an eligible country, having a high school education or certain work experience, and being in good health with no criminal record.
• 😀 Winners of the lottery must go through a detailed process, including submitting personal information, attending an interview, and proving financial stability to ensure they can support themselves in the U.S.
• 😀 If selected, applicants may also need to attend a medical examination and pay several fees, including an immigration fee and a green card fee.
• 😀 While being selected in the lottery is an exciting first step, it does not guarantee a green card unless the applicant's case is fully processed within the fiscal year.
• 😀 Felicia's green card journey took about two years: from entering the lottery in 2017, finding out she won in 2018, attending her interview in 2019, and receiving her physical green card later that year.
• 😀 Although the green card lottery is controversial, Felicia is grateful for the opportunity it provided, even though she is uncertain about her long-term plans in the U.S.

Q & A

What is the Green Card Lottery, and why does it exist?

The Green Card Lottery, officially called the Diversity Visa Lottery, is a U.S. government program aimed at diversifying the immigrant population by granting 55,000 permanent residency visas (Green Cards) each year to people from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S.

What are the basic eligibility requirements for the Green Card Lottery?

To qualify, applicants must be from an eligible country, have completed at least a 12-year high school education, have sufficient work experience, be in good health, and have no criminal record.

How competitive is the Green Card Lottery?

The Green Card Lottery is highly competitive. For example, in 2018, there were 23 million applicants, but only 55,000 Green Cards were issued. This means the odds of winning are around 0.2%, or 1% for countries like Germany.

How does the Green Card Lottery application process work?

To apply, you must submit personal information, including a digital photo, through the official U.S. government website during the annual entry period. If selected, you will need to complete a detailed application and provide supporting documents for your visa processing.

What happens after winning the Green Card Lottery?

Winning the lottery means you're selected for the Green Card, but it's not a guarantee. You must submit additional forms, attend a consular interview, undergo a medical exam, and pay various fees. If successful, you can then activate your Green Card by traveling to the U.S.

How long does the Green Card process take from winning the lottery?

In Felicia's case, the process took about two years. She applied in fall 2017, was selected in May 2018, attended her interview in August 2019, and received her Green Card in September 2019.

What kind of documents are required for the Green Card Lottery interview?

Required documents include educational certificates, birth certificates, police certificates, proof of financial resources (showing you can support yourself in the U.S.), and other personal records to confirm eligibility.

What fees are involved in the Green Card Lottery process?

The Green Card Lottery involves several fees, including a medical exam, visa processing, and the Green Card fee itself. For Felicia, the total cost was over $500, excluding the medical exam and other related expenses.

Can family members also receive Green Cards through the lottery?

Yes, if the winner is married or has children under 21, they can also receive Green Cards as part of the application process.

What are Felicia's plans for the future now that she has a Green Card?

Felicia plans to stay in the U.S. for a few more years, taking things step by step. While she appreciates the opportunities the Green Card offers, she remains uncertain about her long-term future and is open to returning to Germany if the situation arises.