Contents (June 2012 edition) |
|
| FRONT COVER |
i |
| BACK COVER |
ii |
| SPONSORS |
iii |
| LICENSE AGREEMENT |
iv |
| TABLE OF CONTENTS |
v |
| ABOUT THE AUTHORS |
xvii |
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS |
xix |
| PREFACE |
1 |
| Audience |
1 |
| Figure the Odds… |
2 |
| Using This Booklet |
2 |
| Electronic Registration Only |
2 |
| Registration Dates |
3 |
| About the Eighth and Ninth Editions |
3 |
| Which Title Or Version Do You Need? |
4 |
| Download our Slide Presentation |
5 |
| "Diversity Visa Lottery Winners Only" |
5 |
| Take Our Survey and Get a FREE Copy |
5 |
| About Us |
6 |
| Service Providers--Complete Our Questionnaire |
7 |
| Future of the Lottery |
7 |
| Will the State Departe Charge a Fee to Enter? |
8 |
| Keep Current |
8 |
| Disclaimer |
8 |
| CHAPTER 1 Introduction |
9 |
| Applying - A Brief Overview |
10 |
| Step 1 Determine if You (or Your Spouse) are Eligible |
10 |
| Step 2 Complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry (EDV) Form |
11 |
| Step 3 If You Win Choose Whether to Adjust Status in the U.S. or Apply for an Immigrant Visa Outside the U.S. |
11 |
| Step 4 Prepare for Your Interview |
12 |
| Step 5 If Your Immigrant Visa is Approved Enter the U.S. Within Six Months |
12 |
| What is a Green Card? |
13 |
| What is the Green Card (Diversity Visa) Lottery? |
14 |
| How It Began |
15 |
| Today’s Lottery System |
15 |
| How Many Diversity Visa Winners Are There Each Year? |
16 |
| What The “DV?” Name Means |
16 |
| When Can I Apply? |
16 |
| What are My Odds of Getting a Visa? |
17 |
| Will My Spouse and Children Also Get Green Cards? |
20 |
| Important Dates and Deadlines for DV-2014 |
21 |
| Pros and Cons of Becoming a Permanent Resident |
22 |
| Benefits |
22 |
| Limitations |
22 |
| Travel Restrictions |
22 |
| You Must Renew Your Green Card in 10 Years |
23 |
| Benefits of Citizenship Versus a Green Card |
24 |
| Where to Get the Latest Information |
24 |
| State Department Diversity Visa Lottery Hotline |
25 |
| www.myGreencard.com |
25 |
| www.myUSAi.org |
25 |
| State Department Web Site |
25 |
| State Department “Visa Bulletin” |
26 |
| Changes Resulting From Sept 11, 2001 |
26 |
| Changes to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) |
26 |
| U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS) |
27 |
| The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) |
28 |
| Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
29 |
|
|
| CHAPTER 2 Registration Instructions |
31 |
| Fill Out the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form |
31 |
If You Use a Lottery Service |
31 |
| Validate your Photo |
32 |
| PART ONE – Entrant Information |
32 |
| 1. Full Name |
32 |
| 2. Date of Birth |
33 |
| 3. Gender |
33 |
| 4. City Where You Were Born |
33 |
| 5. Country Where You Were Born |
33 |
| 6. Country of Eligibility |
34 |
| 7. Applicant Photograph |
34 |
| 8. Mailing Address |
36 |
| 9. Country Where You Live Today |
37 |
| 10. Phone Number (Optional) |
27 |
| 11. E-mail Address (Optional) |
38 |
| 12. Education |
38 |
| 13. Marriage Status |
38 |
| PART TWO - Derivatives |
39 |
| Spouse Information |
39 |
| 14. Children's Information |
41 |
| When You Are Finished |
42 |
| Keep your Confirmation Number |
42 |
| When to Apply |
43 |
| Only Apply During the Registration Period |
43 |
| Submitting Multiple Applications |
44 |
| If You Are Selected |
45 |
| Already Have a Non-Immigrant Visa? |
45 |
| How to Prove Non-Immigrant Intent |
46 |
| Why Visa Lottery Registrants Are Disqualified |
47 |
| Problems with Your Photograph |
47 |
| Not a Native of a Visa Eligible Country |
47 |
| Sending in Multiple Applications |
47 |
| Insufficient Biographical Information For Spouse and Children |
47 |
| |
|
| CHAPTER 3 Using a Lottery Service or Agent |
49 |
| Why Use a Visa Lottery Service? |
49 |
| Advantages |
50 |
| Disadvantages |
51 |
| Guidelines for Lottery Entrants |
53 |
| Green Card Lottery Services |
55 |
| Our Lottery Service Classifications |
55 |
| Reviewed Websites |
56 |
| Poorly-Rated Web Sites |
57 |
| Our Review Criteria |
57 |
| Disclaimer |
57 |
| How to Protect Yourself from Immigration Fraud |
58 |
| Who Is Allowed to Represent You to the USCIS |
58 |
| Beware Of Notarios |
60 |
| Those Unauthorized To Practice Law |
61 |
| Preventative Measures |
62 |
|
|
| CHAPTER 4 Residential Requirements |
63 |
Geographic Regions |
63 |
| Eligible Countries for Calendar Year 2011 (DV-2013) |
64 |
| REGION 1 (Africa) |
64 |
| REGION 2 (Asia) |
64 |
| REGION 3 (Europe) |
65 |
| REGION 4 (North America) |
65 |
| REGION 5 (Oceania) |
65 |
| REGION 6 (South America) |
66 |
| Ineligible Countries for Calendar Year 2011 (DV-2013) |
66 |
| "Low Admission" and "High Admission" Countries |
67 |
| About Low and High Admission |
67 |
| Low Admission Example |
67 |
| Very Low Admission Countries for DV-2012 |
68 |
| |
|
| CHAPTER 5 Personal Requirements |
69 |
| General |
69 |
| You Must Be Born In Or “Chargeable” To a Visa Eligible Country |
70 |
| Dual-Citizenship Does Not Help |
70 |
| AND You Must Have a Secondary Education |
70 |
| OR You Must Have Two Years Recent Work Experience in a Specific Occupation |
71 |
| If You Do Not Have the Required Education |
71 |
| Rules for Immediate Family Members |
72 |
| Dependents |
72 |
| Married Applicants |
73 |
| Unmarried Applicants |
73 |
| Unmarried Minor Child |
74 |
| Elderly Parent |
75 |
| Death of the Principal (Primary) Applicant |
75 |
| Rules of "Chargeability" |
76 |
| If Your Husband or Wife is Born in a Visa Eligible Country |
77 |
| Chargeability Example #1 |
77 |
| If a Parent Is Born In A Visa Eligible Country |
77 |
| Chargeability Example #2 |
78 |
| Chargeability Example #3 |
78 |
| If You Are In the US Illegally |
79 |
| Should You Contact Your U.S. Congressman? |
80 |
| |
|
| CHAPTER 6 Determine if You Won and What to do Next |
81 |
| Check Online to See if You Won |
81 |
| If You Are Selected As a Winner |
85 |
| Step 1 Send Forms to the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) |
85 |
| Step 2 Pay the Immigrant Diversity Visa Surcharge Fee (Only if Processing in the U.S.) |
86 |
| If You Have a Change of Address Inform the KCC |
87 |
Step 3 Decide Where You Should Apply for Your Green Card |
87 |
| Using INFOPASS to Schedule an Appointment with Your Local USCIS District Office |
88 |
| Step 4 Decide When You Should Apply for the Green Card |
90 |
| Your Ranking Number and the Visa Bulletin |
91 |
| Find Out if You are “Current” with the Visa Bulletin |
91 |
| Definition of “Current” |
92 |
| Important Dates |
95 |
| If You Did Not Win |
97 |
| If You Win and You Live Outside the U.S |
97 |
| If You Win and You Live Inside the U.S. |
97 |
| Why Use an Immigration Attorney? |
98 |
| |
|
| CHAPTER 7 Consular Processing |
99 |
| Applying for an Immigrant Visa at a U.S. Consulate |
99 |
| Winning Notification Letters are No Longer Mailed |
99 |
| Your Case Number and KCC Files |
100 |
| Forms DSP-122 and DS-230 (Part I and II) |
100 |
| Do Not Send Original Documents |
101 |
| New DS-2001 Form |
101 |
| Pre-Interview Instructions |
102 |
| Consular Processing Fees |
102 |
| Required Documents |
103 |
| Proof of Education |
103 |
| Birth Certificates |
104 |
| Marriage Certificate |
105 |
| Vaccination Certificates |
105 |
| HIV Tests and HIV Waivers (No Longer Required) |
105 |
| Passport |
105 |
| Photographs |
106 |
| Past Addresses |
106 |
| Police Clearance Certificates |
106 |
| Contacting Foreign Consulates in the U.S. |
107 |
| Countries That Do Not Supply Police Certificates |
107 |
| Police Clearance Certificate Example |
108 |
| Arrest Records |
108 |
| Military Service Records |
109 |
| Evidence of Financial Support and Form I-134 |
109 |
| If You Cannot Obtain All the Required Documents |
110 |
| Document Translations |
111 |
| Your Interview with the U.S. Consulate Officer |
111 |
| Prepare for Your Interview |
111 |
| Medical Examination |
112 |
| Transferring Your Immigrant Visa Interview to a Different U.S. Consulate |
113 |
| What to Expect |
113 |
| Approval |
114 |
| Include “Care of” on Your Return Address |
114 |
| Consular Denials |
116 |
| Poor Preparation |
116 |
| New Regulations |
116 |
| Poor Quality Photographs |
116 |
| Consular Denial |
117 |
| If Denied Get Immediate Help |
117 |
| Apply for a Waiver of Inadmissibility with Form I-212 or Form I-601 |
117 |
| If Your Waiver is Denied |
118 |
|
|
| CHAPTER 8 Adjustment Of Status (AOS) in the U.S. |
119 |
| Choosing Between AOS and Consular Processing |
119 |
| Filing an AOS Application in the U.S. |
120 |
| Winning Notification |
120 |
| Your Case Number and Ranking Number |
121 |
| Eligibility |
121 |
| If You Are Out of Status for More than 180 Day But Less than One Year |
123 |
| If You Are Out of Status for More than One Year |
124 |
| Existing AOS Pending Through an Employer |
124 |
| Filing AOS After Entry to U.S. Through Visa Waiver Program and/or Filing AOS After Entry to U.S. Less than 60 Days |
125 |
| General AOS Processing Steps |
126 |
| Filing the AOS Too Early (Before Ranking Number is Current) |
127 |
| List of Required AOS Documents |
127 |
| AOS Forms |
129 |
| Special Notes About Certain Forms |
129 |
| No Petitioner in Diversity Lottery Visa Cases so No I-130, I-140, I-864 or I-134 Required |
130 |
| AOS Fees |
130 |
| Proving Employment and Definition of “Public Charge” |
131 |
| Translation of Foreign Language Documents |
132 |
| Mailing the AOS Forms, Supporting Documents, and Fees |
133 |
| If Your I-94 Card is Lost |
134 |
| Adding a Document to the AOS after You Mailed it to the USCIS |
134 |
| Changing Your Address with USCIS after Filing Your Adjustment Of Status Application |
135 |
| Traveling After Submitting the AOS Package |
137 |
| How to Handle Your USCIS Green Card (Adjustment of Status) Interview |
138 |
Prepare for Your Green Card Interview |
138 |
| Approval |
139 |
| AOS Denials |
140 |
| Applying for a Waiver of Inadmissibility with Form I-601 |
141 |
| Filing a Motion to Reopen |
141 |
| Top Reasons for “Inadmissibility” |
142 |
| Criminal Behavior |
142 |
| Ill Health |
142 |
| Other Reasons |
143 |
| |
|
| CHAPTER 9 Other Ways to Get a Green Card |
145 |
| Major Visa Categories |
147 |
| Non-Immigrant Visas (Temporary Stays) |
147 |
| Immigrant Visas (Permanent Residence) |
148 |
| Limited versus Unlimited Immigrant Visas |
150 |
| Family-Based Green Cards |
150 |
| Immediate Relatives Category |
151 |
| Family First Preference (FB-1) |
151 |
| Family Second Preference (FB-2) |
151 |
| Family Third Preference (FB-3) |
151 |
| Family Fourth Preference (FB-4) |
152 |
| Other Important Information |
152 |
| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative |
152 |
| Medical Examinations |
152 |
| Consular Visa Fees |
152 |
| Adjustment of Status Fees |
153 |
| Numerical Limitations |
153 |
| Miscellaneous |
153 |
| How to Apply for a Social Security Number Card |
153 |
| Questions? |
154 |
| Employment-Based Green Cards |
154 |
| Employment First Preference (EB-1) |
154 |
| Employment Second Preference (EB-2) |
155 |
| Employment Third Preference (EB-3) |
155 |
| Employment Fourth Preference (EB-4) |
156 |
| Employment Fifth Preference (EB-5) |
156 |
| Labor Certification |
157 |
| Individual Labor Certification (PERM) |
157 |
| Schedule "A" Designation |
157 |
| Labor Market Information Pilot Program |
158 |
| I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker |
158 |
| Visa Ineligibility/Waiver |
158 |
| Political Asylees and Refugees |
158 |
| |
|
| APPENDIX A Green Card Lottery Service Provider Questionaire |
161 |
| APPENDIX B Sample Winning Letter for DV-2011 |
163 |
| APPENDIX C Occupations Requiring 2 Years Training or Experience |
165 |
| APPENDIX D Lottery Winners Allocated by Country for FY 2011 (DV-2013) |
175 |
| APPENDIX E Guidelines for Producing High Quality Photographs |
179 |
| Setup and Production Guidelines |
180 |
| Proper Lighting Arrangement |
180 |
| Camera/Subject Position |
181 |
| Photograph Print Properties |
181 |
| Composition Checklist |
182 |
| Content |
182 |
| Head Position |
182 |
| Use the Photo Check Website |
182 |
| No Retouching or Image Stretching |
183 |
| Well-Composed Photos |
184 |
| Brightness, Contrast, & Color |
184 |
| Photo Too Dark |
185 |
| Correct Contrast |
185 |
| Natural Color |
186 |
| Head Position & Background |
186 |
| No Glare on Glasses or Shadows on Face |
188 |
| Exposure and Lighting |
189 |
| Resolution and Printing Quality |
190 |
| No Pixelation |
190 |
| No Visible Dot Pattern |
191 |
| Introduction to Digital (Electronic) Photographs |
192 |
| Image Formats |
192 |
| Picture Sizes are Measured in Pixels |
192 |
| Color Depth is Measured in Bits |
183 |
| Image Size |
193 |
| How to Take Good Digital Pictures |
193 |
| How to Scan Existing Photos |
193 |
|
|
| GLOSSARY |
195 |
| INDEX |
207 |
| BACK COVER |
208 |
To help you determine where content you may want is located, please see the table below. You can also view "bookmarks" in the free version of Win the Green Card Lottery! (WGCL) available on our Downloads page in May when we publish the 2012 edition.
