‘Green card’ or visa lottery: ways to go legal to the United States

USA has always been one of the countries preferred by Colombians who want to look for new options for their lives.

And the best, in these cases, will always be emigrate legally, but many do not know how to do it or what to resort to.

(See: What is a humanitarian visa and in which cases they are granted).

To be in the United States legally there are several ways. One of them is to access the ‘green card’, a green card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card) that allows you to legally live and work there.

And what should you do to access this document? The first thing to know is that the steps to follow vary depending on your situation.

(See: The most difficult visas to obtain for Colombians).

As of December 23, 2022, some changes began to take effect in the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence, known as the ‘green card’.

Here are some requirements to keep in mind:

1. Age, health, family status, assets, resources and financial status, education and skills in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act.

2. The use of benefits such as Supplemental Security Income or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

3. If requested, form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA.

4. If you are filing Form I-485, you must use the new edition dated 12/23/2022, otherwise the form will be rejected.

(See: How feasible is it for the US to eliminate the visa for Colombians?).

Another way to be legal in the United States is to visa lottery or also calls diversity visas.

This program is administered by the United States Department of State and seeks to increase the diversity of immigrants They decide to go live there.

Each year, the visa lottery awards 50,000 permits to randomly selected individuals. This gives way to permanent residence.

It is important to be clear that this program applies to countries that do not send many immigrants to the United States.

(See: Etias, the permit that Colombians will need to go to Europe).

In the case of 2023, the registrations for the visas that will be granted this year ended on November 9, 2021 and the candidates can verify if they won on the program’s website (Click here).

Those selected have until September 30, 2023 to obtain the visa or do the pertinent procedures.

And for the 2024 lottery, registrations have already been closed.

As already mentioned, this program is not open to all countries and some of those that, for now, cannot participate are:
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– bangladesh
– Brazil
– Canada
– China (including Hong Kong SAR)
– Colombia
– The Savior
– Philippines
– Haiti
– Honduras
– India
– Jamaica
– Mexico
– Nigeria
– Pakistan
– Dominican Republic
– Republic of Korea (South Korea)
– UK and territories
– Venezuela
– Vietnam

It is expected that from May 6, 2023, those who applied for the 2024 lottery will be able to know the results. Besides, at the end of 2023 the 2025 lottery process would open.

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