Adjustment of Status Application info for visa lottery applicants

To adjust your status to permanent resident, you have to fill out a bunch of documents and forms--separate sets for all family members including your spouse and your kids. You should go to the USCIS website for a packet of the forms you have to fill out: www.uscis.gov. You will definitely need form I-485--the application for permanent residence. You will also need form G-325A, form I-134, form I-131 and a host of documents including by not limited to proof of education, birth certificate, medical exam report, official notice of your lottery selection, marriage certificate, I-94 card, photos, fingerprints, and filing fees. You may also need to pay a penalty fee if you are in the U.S. illegally but because of a grandfather clause you are still allowed to adjust your status.

Getting a Greencard through the visa lottery

After you apply online, you may be one of the lucky few who gets notification eight months later from the Department of State that your name has been drawn from visa lottery. The next thing to worry about would be proving you are not inadmissble and are not at risk of becoming a public charge. For the latter you may need a family member or close friend file an affidavit on your behalf stating their responsibility to the United States govt. if you do become a public charge. They would have to file an I-134 Affidavit of Support. This is a big deal because if you become a public charge, the person who files this affidavit will have to pay the government all the support you need for three years.

How to register for the Visa Lottery

You register for the visa lottery online and you usually have to attach a digital photo of yourself. You will have to provide your name, date of birth, gender, country of birth, mailing address, your spouse' info, your children's info (especially under 21) your marital status, and a photo. You should send only one application per person otherwise they will disqualify you. But your spouse can send their own application as can your children if they were qualified to apply on their own notwithstanding applying for the lottery and can immigrate without you if need be.

You can apply on the Department of State website: www.state.gov (travel/business, Visas for Foreign Citizens, coming permanently to the U.S.)

What is a diversity based immigrant visa? Or What is the Visa Lottery?

If you are a native of (or married to a native, or have parents who were natives) a qualifying country, are 16 years of age or older, possess a high school diploma or two years experience in a job that normally requires at least two years of training, you can apply for the visa lottery.

It doesn't mean you will get a greencard. If you win the lottery and they send you notice that you won, you will have to prove you are not inadmissible for any reasons such as certain crimes, health problems, or that you entered or stayed in the U.S. illegally prior to your application for a lottery visa.

There is a new application required each year if you did not get called in the year you applied. There is no roll over. It usually takes about eight months for you to be notified you have won the visa lottery. After that, make haste to apply for the greencard becuase if time runs out on you and you don't get the card within that year, you lose your chance and have to apply all over again.

The three types of visas available in the U.S.

According to the Department of State there are three types of visas for immigrants who want to live permanently in the United States. In other words, either you must have a family member or an employer petition for a visa for you with the Department of Homeland Security. Or, for the lucky few, you can obtain a petition by registering for the visa lottery. The three types of visas are:

1) Family-based immigrant visas

2) employment-based immigrant visas

3) diversity program immigrant visas