| FRONT COVER August, 2010 Edition |
i |
| WHERE TO GET THE LATEST INFORMATION |
ii |
| CONTENTS |
v |
| ABOUT THE AUTHORS |
xix |
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS |
xxi |
| PREFACE |
1 |
| Audience |
1 |
| Figure the Odds… |
2 |
| Electronic Registration Only |
2 |
| Registration Dates |
2 |
| Using This Booklet |
3 |
| Keeping Current |
3 |
| The Seventh Edition for DV-2012 |
3 |
| Where Can I Purchase the Full Version? |
4 |
| Future of the Lottery |
4 |
| About Us |
5 |
| Diversity Visa Winners Only |
6 |
| Visa Lottery Services Report |
6 |
| Service Provider Survey |
6 |
| Disclaimer |
6 |
|
|
| CHAPTER 1 Introduction |
7 |
| Applying - A Brief Overview |
8 |
| Step 1 Determine if You (or Your Spouse) are Eligible |
8 |
| Step 2 Complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry (EDV) Form |
8 |
| Step 3 If You Win Choose Whether to Adjust Status in the U.S. or Apply for an Immigrant Visa Outside the U.S. |
8 |
| Step 4 Prepare for Your Interview |
8 |
| Step 5 If Your Immigrant Visa is Approved Enter the U.S. Within Six Months |
8 |
| What is a Green Card? |
9 |
| What is the Green Card (Diversity Visa) Lottery? |
9 |
| How It Began |
9 |
| Today’s Lottery System |
9 |
| How Many Diversity Visa Winners Are There Each Year? |
10 |
| What The “DV?” Name Means |
10 |
| When Can I Apply? |
10 |
| Will My Spouse and Children Also Get Green Cards? |
11 |
| Important Dates and Deadlines for DV-2012 |
12 |
| Pros and Cons of Becoming a Permanent Resident |
13 |
| Benefits |
13 |
| Limitations |
14 |
| Travel Restrictions |
14 |
| You Must Renew Your Green Card in 10 Years |
14 |
| Benefits of Citizenship Versus a Green Card |
14 |
| Where to Get the Latest Information |
15 |
| State Department Diversity Visa Lottery Hotline |
15 |
| www.mygreencard.com |
15 |
| www.myUSAi.org |
15 |
| State Department Web Site |
16 |
| State Department “Visa Bulletin” |
16 |
| Changes Resulting From Sept 11, 2001 |
16 |
| Changes to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) |
17 |
| U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS) |
17 |
| The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) |
18 |
| Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
19 |
|
|
| CHAPTER 2 Registration Instructions |
21 |
| Fill Out the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form |
21 |
If You Use a Lottery Service |
21 |
| Validate your Photo |
22 |
| PART ONE – Entrant Information |
22 |
| 1. Full Name |
22 |
| 2. Date of Birth |
23 |
| 3. Gender |
23 |
| 4. City Where You Were Born |
23 |
| 5. Country Where You Were Born |
23 |
| 6. Country of Eligibility |
24 |
| 7. Applicant Photograph |
24 |
| 8. Mailing Address |
26 |
| 9. Country Where You Live Today |
27 |
| 10. Phone Number (Optional) |
27 |
| 11. E-mail Address (Optional) |
28 |
| 12. Education |
28 |
| 13. Marriage Status |
28 |
| PART TWO - Derivatives |
29 |
| Spouse Information |
29 |
| 14. Children's Information |
31 |
| When You Are Finished |
32 |
| Keep your Confirmation Number |
32 |
| When to Apply |
33 |
| Only Apply During the Registration Period |
33 |
| Submitting Multiple Applications |
34 |
| If You Are Selected |
35 |
| Already Have a Non-Immigrant Visa? |
35 |
| How to Prove Non-Immigrant Intent |
36 |
| Why Visa Lottery Registrants Are Disqualified |
37 |
| Problems with Your Photograph |
37 |
| Not a Native of a Visa Eligible Country |
37 |
| Sending in Multiple Applications |
37 |
| Insufficient Biographical Information For Spouse and Children |
38 |
| |
|
| NEW! CHAPTER 3 Using a Lottery Service or Agent |
39 |
| Why Use a Visa Lottery Service? |
39 |
| Advantages |
39 |
| Disadvantages |
41 |
| Guidelines for Lottery Entrants |
43 |
| Green Card Lottery Services |
44 |
| Lottery Service Classifications |
45 |
| Reviewed Websites |
46 |
| The Winners! |
47 |
| The Losers |
48 |
| Our Review Criteria |
49 |
| Disclaimer |
49 |
| How to Protect Yourself from Immigration Fraud |
49 |
| Who Is Allowed to Represent You to the USCIS |
50 |
| Beware Of Notarios |
51 |
| Those Unauthorized To Practice Law |
52 |
| Preventative Measures |
53 |
|
|
| CHAPTER 4 Residential Requirements |
55 |
Geographic Regions |
55 |
| Eligible Countries for Calendar Year 2008 (DV-2010) |
56 |
| > REGION 1 (Africa) |
56 |
| REGION 2 (Asia) |
56 |
| REGION 3 (Europe) |
57 |
| REGION 4 (North America) |
57 |
| REGION 5 (Oceania) |
57 |
| REGION 6 (South America) |
58 |
| Ineligible Countries for Calendar Year 2008 (DV-2010) |
58 |
| "Low Admission" and "High Admission" Countries |
59 |
| About Low and High Admission |
59 |
| Low Admission Example |
59 |
| Very Low Admission Countries for DV-2011 |
60 |
| |
|
| CHAPTER 5 Personal Requirements |
61 |
| General |
61 |
| You Must Be Born In Or “Chargeable” To a Visa Eligible Country |
57 |
| AND You Must Have a Secondary Education |
62 |
| OR You Must Have Two Years Recent Work Experience in a Specific Occupation |
62 |
| If You Do Not Have the Required Education |
63 |
| Rules for Immediate Family Members |
64 |
| Dependents |
64 |
| Married Applicants |
65 |
| Unmarried Applicants |
65 |
| Unmarried Minor Child |
65 |
| Elderly Parent |
66 |
| Death of the Principal Applicant |
66 |
| Rules of "Chargeability" |
66 |
| If Your Husband or Wife is Born in a Visa Eligible Country |
67 |
| Chargeability Example #1 |
67 |
| If a Parent Is Born In A Visa Eligible Country |
68 |
| Chargeability Example #2 |
68 |
| Chargeability Example #3 |
69 |
| If You Are In the US Illegally |
69 |
| Should You Contact Your U.S. Congressman? |
70 |
|
|
| NEW! CHAPTER 6 Determine if You Won and What to do Next |
71 |
| Check Online to See if You Won |
71 |
| If You Are Selected As a Winner |
72 |
| Step 1 Send Forms to the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) |
73 |
| Step 2 Pay the Immigrant Diversity Visa Surcharge Fee (Only if Processing in the U.S.) |
74 |
| If You Have a Change of Address Inform the KCC |
75 |
Step 3 Decide Where You Should Apply for Your Green Card |
76 |
| Using INFOPASS to Schedule an Appointment with Your Local USCIS District Office |
77 |
| Step 4 Decide When You Should Apply for the Green Card |
79 |
| Your Ranking Number and the Visa Bulletin |
79 |
| Find Out if You are “Current” with the Visa Bulletin |
80 |
| Definition of “Current” |
80 |
| Important Dates |
84 |
| If You Have Not Been Notified Then You Did Not Win |
86 |
| If You Win and You Live Outside the U.S |
86 |
| If You Win and You Live Inside the U.S. |
86 |
| Important Dates |
87 |
| Why Use an Immigration Attorney? |
87 |
| |
|
| NEW! CHAPTER 7 Consular Processing |
89 |
| Applying for an Immigrant Visa at a U.S. Consulate |
89 |
| Winning Notification Letter from KCC |
89 |
| Your Case Number |
90 |
| Forms DSP-122 and DS-230 (Part I and II) |
90 |
| Do Not Send Original Documents |
90 |
| New DS-2001 Form |
91 |
| Pre-Interview Instructions |
91 |
| Consular Processing Fees |
92 |
| Required Documents |
92 |
| Proof of Education |
92 |
| Birth Certificates |
93 |
| Marriage Certificate |
93 |
| Vaccination Certificates |
94 |
| HIV Tests and HIV Waivers (No Longer Required) |
94 |
| Passport |
94 |
| Photographs |
95 |
| Past Addresses |
95 |
| Police Clearance Certificates |
95 |
| Contacting Foreign Consulates in the U.S. |
96 |
| Countries That Do Not Supply Police Certificates |
96 |
| Police Clearance Certificate Example |
96 |
| Arrest Records |
97 |
| Military Service Records |
97 |
| Evidence of Financial Support and Form I-134 |
97 |
| If You Cannot Obtain All the Required Documents |
99 |
| Document Translations |
99 |
| Your Interview with the U.S. Consulate |
99 |
| Prepare for Your Interview |
99 |
| Medical Examination |
100 |
| Transferring Your Immigrant Visa Interview to a Different U.S. Consulate |
101 |
| What to Expect |
101 |
| Approval |
101 |
| Include “Care of” on Your Return Address |
102 |
| Consular Denials |
102 |
| Poor Preparation |
103 |
| New Regulations |
103 |
| Poor Quality Photographs |
103 |
| Consular Denial |
103 |
| If Denied Get Immediate Help |
104 |
| Apply for a Waiver of Inadmissibility with Form I-601 |
104 |
| If Your Waiver is Denied |
105 |
|
|
| NEW! CHAPTER 8 Adjustment Of Status (AOS) in the U.S. |
107 |
| Choosing Between AOS and Consular Processing |
107 |
| Filing an AOS Application in the U.S. |
108 |
| Winning Notification Letter from the KCC |
108 |
| Your Case Number and Ranking Number |
108 |
| Eligibility |
109 |
| If You Have Remained Longer Than Your Authorized Period of Stay |
110 |
| If You Are Out of Status for More than 180 Days But Less than One Year |
110 |
| If You Are Out of Status for More than One Year |
111 |
| Existing AOS Pending Through an Employer |
112 |
| Filing AOS After Entry to U.S. Through Visa Waiver Program and/or Filing AOS After Entry to U.S. Less than 60 Days |
112 |
| General AOS Processing Steps |
113 |
| Filing the AOS Too Early (Before Ranking Number is Current) |
114 |
| List of Required AOS Documents |
114 |
| AOS Forms |
116 |
| Special Notes About Certain Forms |
116 |
| No Petitioner in Diversity Lottery Visa Cases so No I 130, I-140, I-864 or I-134 Required |
117 |
| AOS Fees |
117 |
| Proving Employment and Definition of “Public Charge” |
118 |
| Translation of Foreign Language Documents |
119 |
| Mailing the AOS Forms, Supporting Documents, and Fees |
119 |
| If Your I-94 Card is Lost |
120 |
| Adding a Document to the AOS after You Mailed it to the USCIS |
121 |
| Changing Your Address with USCIS after Filing Your Adjustment Of Status Application |
121 |
| Traveling After Submitting the AOS Package |
123 |
| How to Handle Your USCIS Green Card (Adjustment of Status) Interview |
124 |
Prepare for Your Interview |
124 |
| Approval |
125 |
| AOS Denials |
125 |
| Applying for a Waiver of Inadmissibility with Form I-601 |
126 |
| Filing a Motion to Reopen |
127 |
| Top Reasons for “Inadmissibility” |
127 |
| Criminal Behavior |
127 |
| Ill Health |
127 |
| Other Reasons |
128 |
|
128 |
| CHAPTER 9 Other Ways to Get a Green Card |
131 |
| Major Visa Categories |
133 |
| Non-Immigrant Visas (Temporary Stays) |
133 |
| Immigrant Visas (Permanent Residence) |
134 |
| Limited versus Unlimited Immigrant Visas |
135 |
| Family-Based Green Cards |
135 |
| Immediate Relatives Category |
135 |
| Family First Preference (FB-1) |
136 |
| Family Second Preference (FB-2) |
136 |
| Family Third Preference (FB-3) |
136 |
| Family Fourth Preference (FB-4) |
136 |
| Other Important Information |
137 |
| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative |
137 |
| Medical Examinations |
137 |
| Consular Visa Fees |
137 |
| Adjustment of Status Fees |
137 |
| Numerical Limitations |
138 |
| Miscellaneous |
138 |
| How to Apply for a Social Security Number Card |
138 |
| Questions? |
138 |
| Employment-Based Green Cards |
138 |
| Employment First Preference (EB-1) |
139 |
| Employment Second Preference (EB-2) |
140 |
| Employment Third Preference (EB-3) |
140 |
| Employment Fourth Preference (EB-4) |
141 |
| Employment Fifth Preference (EB-5) |
141 |
| Labor Certification |
142 |
| Individual Labor Certification (PERM) |
142 |
| Schedule "A" Designation |
142 |
| Labor Market Information Pilot Program |
142 |
| I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker |
143 |
| Visa Ineligibility/Waiver |
143 |
|
|
| APPENDIX A Green Card Lottery Service Provider Questionaire |
145 |
| APPENDIX B Sample Winning Letter |
153 |
| APPENDIX C Occupations Requiring 2 Years Training or Experience |
155 |
| APPENDIX D Lottery Visas Allocated by Country for DV-2011 |
165 |
| APPENDIX E Guidelines for Producing High Quality Photographs |
169 |
| Setup and Production Guidelines |
170 |
| Proper Lighting Arrangement |
170 |
| Camera/Subject Position |
171 |
| Photograph Print Properties |
171 |
| Composition Checklist |
172 |
| Content |
172 |
| Head Position |
172 |
| No Retouching or Image Stretching |
173 |
| Well-Composed Photos |
174 |
| Brightness, Contrast, & Color |
174 |
| Photo Too Dark |
175 |
| Correct Contrast |
175 |
| Natural Color |
176 |
| Head Position & Background |
176 |
| No Glare on Glasses or Shadows on Face |
178 |
| Exposure and Lighting |
179 |
| Resolution and Printing Quality |
180 |
| No Pixelation |
180 |
| No Visible Dot Pattern |
181 |
| Introduction to Digital (Electronic) Photographs |
182 |
| Image Formats |
182 |
| Picture Sizes are Measured in Pixels |
182 |
| Color Depth is Measured in Bits |
183 |
| Image Size |
183 |
| How to Take Good Digital Pictures |
183 |
| How to Scan Existing Photos |
183 |
| |
|
| GLOSSARY |
185 |
| INDEX |
195 |
