Green Card Lottery 2010 is Here
Generally, there are four ways that a person can immigrate into the United States. First, an individual can be sponsored by a qualifying relative. Second, an individual can be sponsored by an employer. Third, an individual can filed for asylum. Finally, an individual can file an application under the Diversity Visa Lottery Program.
Each year during a designated period of time, the Department of State accepts applications for diversity visa lottery program. This year, the Department of State will accept applications for the Diversity Visa 2010 Registration beginning October 2, 2008 and ending December 1, 2008. Applications must be submitted electronically. No paper applications will be accepted. Electronic applications will be accepted only between noon (Eastern Daylight Time) on October 2, 2008 and noon (Eastern Standard Time) on December 1, 2008. The Department of State warns the public that high demands may cause website problems resulting in delays. Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait to the last minute to file as applications not received before noon on December 1, 2008 will not be accepted.
The Immigration and Nationality Act provides for 55,000 immigrant visas that may be distributed each fiscal year. Before submitting an application for the diversity, be sure that you are from an eligible country. The following countries are not eligible:
Brazil, Canada, China (main-land born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Peru, Poland, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland), Vietnam
The visa lottery provides a greater number of immigrant visas to countries with lower rates of immigration into United States. According to the Department of State, “selectees” are picked through a computer-generated program random lottery drawing. Selectees will be notified by mail with further instructions on the completing the process beginning May 2009 through July 2009.