Green Card Processing

How Is Green Card Processing done after Green Card Lottery?

Permanent members of the United States who come from foreign countries usually are sponsored by someone. This means that an employer or a family member usually will sponsor their way over. However, the Green Card Lottery also is a way that many people win permanent visas.

However you enter the United States you will want to know more about the processing of the green card. In the beginning of the green card processing you will have to be patient. There are generally three steps to the process.

Step 1: Immigration Petition

This first step happens when an individual from a foreign country makes application to the United States. This could be through the Green Card Lottery or it could be through a family member already living in the U.S. as a citizen.

Step 2: Immigrant Visa Availability

There is a quota of numbers that is presented to the U.S. Department of State (DOS) that will issue a number to new people coming into the country. However, this may take awhile if they did not go through the Green Card Lottery or if they do not have a family member already living in the United States. Sometimes getting a number can take several years.

Step 3: Immigrant Visa Adjudication

This happens after an individual receives a number who is coming to the country in a way other than having a family member or through the Green Card Lottery. They will need to apply with USCIS to change their status to “permanent” or apply with DOS for an immigrant visa. They will have to go to the nearest US Consulate for this action.

During this step a criminal background check is done and the USCIS can decide either to approve the application or reject it. During the green card processing time they can live in the U.S. but they will have to stay in the country until the full green card processing is completed.

The entire green card processing can take several years so an individual applying must be patient.

Advantages of Green Card Lottery Application

If an individual knows they are coming to the United States to live within the next 3-5 years it may be a good idea to apply for the Green Card Lottery. This is an easier way to live in the country if you meet the qualifications. The point to the lottery is to give people permanent residency that come from countries that are under represented.

The U.S. Department of State determines which countries are eligible and the criteria they must have in order to be eligible to apply. If you know when you want to come, it is a good idea to apply sooner than later. As an example, if you are planning to come in 2011, you will need to apply in 2009. If you want to come sooner you will need to choose a different route than the Green Card Lottery.

There is no guarantee that you will “win” a place through the lottery but many people feel it is a better chance and takes less time for green card processing than other methods. You have a certain time you must apply within and then they have a few months to give you the visa or not. You are notified if you have received one through this process.

There is a lot of waiting and work that happens when you are gong through green card processing so it is important to know the best route for you. The Green Card Lottery has helped millions of people so it is an option that should be on your list.