In my column Migratory Consultation This week I am informing you that the registration period for the 2022 visa lottery is now open and explaining how you can participate in the next lottery drawing.
Each year, millions of foreign nationals aspire to a future in the United States by registering for a diversity visa, popularly known as the "visa lottery."
It is a random process. If eligible immigrants "win" the lottery, they can obtain permanent residency in the United States. But even if luck is on their side and an immigrant is selected, receiving one of these coveted visas requires that the person meet all of the conditions set by the government, including being eligible to enter the country. Competition is intense. Only 50,000 visas are drawn for millions of applicants.
2022 visa lottery registration deadline begins
The U.S. Department of State has just opened the new registration deadline for the FY 2022 diversity visa lottery covering October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.
Interested persons may submit their applications electronically beginning Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. EDT through 12:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.
Who can participate in the FY 2022 visa lottery?
There are strict restrictions on who can receive a diversity visa, based on the foreign national's origin.
These visas are intended for individuals from countries with a low rate of immigration to the United States. The government determines which countries are eligible. The list may change from year to year.
The following countries are among those eligible for the new enrollment period for the FY2022 draw:
Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Spain, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
From Latin America, are not Eligible individuals from Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Mexico.
Being a native of one of the eligible countries is only one of the requirements. The foreigner must also be eligible. Just because you "win" the lottery does not mean that you will automatically get a visa.
When submitting your application, you must meet a number of requirements, including having at least a high school education or two years of work experience in an occupation that has required training. In addition, the person must be admissible to the country. If you do not meet all the requirements, the Government will deny the visa.
How to register for the 2022 visa lottery?
To participate in the lottery, an electronic application must be submitted on the following web site dvlottery.state.gov.
All instructions are available on the U.S. Department of State website, which you can view by clicking here. click here.
You must follow the instructions exactly and confirm that all information is correct. If you do not meet all registration requirements, your application will be disqualified.
The procedure is free of charge. Applications can only be submitted strictly within the registration period.
If you wish to participate, I recommend that you submit the electronic form as soon as possible. If you wait until the last minute, problems can arise. Generally, there are high demand before closing of the enrollment period and this could lead to an overload on the website. If that happens, there is a possibility that you may not be able to submit your application on time.
Prohibited to submit multiple applications
The law stipulates that only one application per person may be submitted for the diversity visa lottery during each enrollment period.
The State Department uses sophisticated technology that can detect if someone has made multiple entries. If they detect that someone submitted multiple forms to increase their chances of winning a visa, they will eliminate them from the lottery.
How to find out who won the 2022 visa lottery?
The Government will publish the names of the foreigners selected through the lottery on the website dvlottery.state.gov as of Tuesday, May 8, 2021.
It is the responsibility of each applicant to verify whether he/she has been selected. You will need to log in to the website with the confirmation number you received when you completed the online visa lottery application.
If your name is on the list of those selected, is time-limited during fiscal year 2022 to claim the visa and make the corresponding procedures. If you miss the deadline, you lose the right to the visa.
Beware of fraudulent notifications!
If you receive an e-mail saying you won and you are asked for money, it is most likely a scam. Report it immediately to the authorities.
A great benefit of winning this lottery is that if you are married or have children, they could also receive a visa and permanent residency if they meet all the requirements.
If in doubt, consult an immigration attorney for proper advice.
For more information and immigration tips, visit my website at Immigration Today.
Send your questions to preguntas@consultamigratoria.com. Include detailed information about your situation to better answer your questions.
Nelson A. Castillo, Esq. is an immigration attorney and author of La Tarjeta Verde: Cómo Obtener la Residencia Permanente en los Estados Unidos (Green Card: How to Obtain Permanent Residence in the United States). He is a former President of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Westlake South Los Angeles Neighborhood Council. For information on how to consult with Dr. Castillo, click here. click here.
The purpose of this column is to provide general information. There can be no guarantee or prediction as to what will be the outcome of the information presented by Dr. Nelson A. Castillo. The information should not be taken as legal advice for any individual, case or situation. This column may be considered an advertisement under the Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys in several states, including California and New York. Consult with an immigration attorney for personalized legal advice before beginning any immigration proceedings.
