Is a Green Card Based on Country of Birth?

When it comes to applying for the US Green Card Lottery, country of birth is one of the most important factors that determine eligibility. However, the place of birth is not necessarily the same as the country of citizenship. If you moved away from the country where you were born, it is quite possible for the two to be different.

What Is the Nationality of a Green Card Holder?

While a Green Card will give the holder a lot of the benefits that are enjoyed by ordinary US citizens, it does not change their nationality. Therefore, a Green Card holder is still a foreign national who has been permitted to live, study and work in the US indefinitely. This means their nationality will still appear as the one they had before they received their Green Card.

Does Green Card Lottery Eligibility Depend on Country of Birth or Citizenship?

Concerning application for the Green Card Lottery, the country of birth is the only one that has bearing on eligibility for this US immigration program. Other factors will come into play, but it is this one that is looked at very closely, since a key goal of the Green Card Lottery Program (also called the Diversity Immigrants Visa Program) is to diversify the US population. The good news is that even if your country of birth is ineligible for the Green Card Lottery, you may still be able to participate if your spouse or at least one of your parents was born in an eligible country (and you also meet the education or work experience criteria).

Does Country of Birth Matter for a Green Card?

Yes, when applying for the Green Card Lottery, also known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, country of birth is one of the first things that the authorities will look at. This is because each year, a number of countries are excluded from the list of those eligible to receive a Green Card through this US immigration program, due to a large influx of nationals from those countries. Therefore, the country of birth you put on your application is one of the key factors that determines eligibility for this particular US immigration program.

Green Card Lottery Application Dates for 2023

Do you have a US Citizenship interview coming up? Are you nervous?

The DV-2025 Green Card Lottery registration period starts on October 4, 2023, and ends on November 7, 2023.

Applying for a Green Card is easier than you may think with the right help. As long as you get all your documents in order and you do not forget the all-important Green Card Lottery application deadline, you should not face any obstacles during this process.

However, a lot of people have their applications denied for this exact reason – because they did not have their details and photos ready on time. Others have all of their information and photos ready only to realize that the US Green Card Lottery deadline has already passed, meaning they now have to wait another year!

Read this article and avoid making those same mistakes when you decide to give the Green Card Lottery a go!

How Many Applicants Get a Green Card Each Year?

The number of Green Card Lottery recipients is limited to just 55,000 winners who complete the process successfully each year. This is out of the approximately 125,000 names drawn at random from the overall pool of about 12 million applications!

How Many Times Can I Apply for the Green Card Lottery?

You are allowed to submit one Green Card Lottery Application under your name each year, however, there is no limit to the number of years you can apply. In other words, you can apply for the Green Card Lottery once a year, year after year, as long as you are still eligible. You are even free to double your chances by applying separately with your spouse if he or she meets the eligibility requirements! For example, you could apply once under your name if eligible and your spouse could apply once under his or her name if eligible during any given year. If either you or your spouse is selected as a winner, your family can move forward with the consular process to receive your US Diversity Immigrant Visa and Green Card!

Green Card Application Deadline

The DV-2024 registration deadline (for those applicants intending to move to the US in 2024) has already passed. The DV-2024 Lottery registration period ended on the November 8, 2022. However, those who were lucky enough to get their applications in on time can now wait for the results that will be available next year. They will need to wait until the May 6, 2023, before entering their Confirmation Number and other details on the DV Lottery website and checking the status of their application. The registration period for the DV-2025 Green Card Lottery is expected to be in October 2023 for people who want to move to the US in 2025.

Final Words

If you have already missed this year’s deadline do not worry because there will be another one next year. You should do things differently this time around to avoid further disappointment. Contact USAFIS and let us help you!

FAQ's

Can I Apply Two Times for the Same DV Lottery?

You can only submit your application under your name once a year for the DV Lottery. However, if you are married and your spouse is also eligible, you can double your chances of success by applying on separate forms with your spouse. This is the only way to “apply twice” – otherwise you will risk being excluded from the Lottery. For example, you could file an application under your name (if eligible), your spouse could file an application under his or her name (if eligible), and if either one is selected as a winner, your family can start the consular process to receive a Diversity Immigrant Visa.

Can I Apply for the Lottery Every Year?

Yes, the DV Lottery is open every year and you are free to keep on applying each year (as long as you are eligible) until you win. However, keep in mind the application deadlines. Usually, the application period runs from early October to early November. You can contact USAFIS for the exact dates of the next DV Lottery deadlines once they are made available in September.

What Is the Last Day to Apply for the Green Card Lottery?

Each year is different but in most cases, the final day to file an application is in early November. The exact dates are always posted on the DV Lottery website so you should check in time and make sure you do not miss next year’s Lottery. In 2022, the last day for applications was on the November 8, 2022.

What Our Clients Say

It's just like a dream in heaven. Four family members including myself were successfully registered and entered into the Green Card Lottery, won in our first attempt, received professional lawyer services, and airline tickets to USA. We now have been admitted as lawful permanent residents in the USA. All courtesy of USAFIS organization. Thank you so much to MR. David Green and the outstanding professional team at USAFIS organization.

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I'm very happy with the deal with USAFIS, it might have given me all the support necessary so I can get to United States.

Hatem JalambouDV 2018

The service received was exceptional. With high professionalism, seriousness and reliability. My family and i are highly thankful to usafis organization since we have succeeded the migratory process to usa in an expedited manner permitting us to legally establish in the usa for the benefit of my family and the usa.

Jose Angarita SergentDV 2018

It's a great pleasure for me to thank USAFIS for what they did in helping me to be a winner of the DV lottery 2015, the USAFIS was always is contact with me during the whole process. I can really say that they are very wonderful in their duties. I've been waiting for a long time thinking that they are scam organization but in fact, I was wrong and today I and my family are green card holders. Thank you USAFIS.

Bahadoor ViswarajDV 2016

I'd highly recommend M/s USAFIS Organization for the provision of consulting services, Legal guidance and valuable assistance throughout the diversity visa program. I had received all assistance needed since the application I made in year 2012 until the review process in 2016. A few steps left to have my family immigrant visa stamped in all passports. I honestly appreciate such a diligent and professional services.

Nasr El Din Fawzi AbdallaDV 2016