What Is a Green Card?

A "green card" is the common name given to the plastic identity card issued by the CIS and is proof of your permanent resident status in the U.S. Obtaining your green card is the final step towards U.S. permanent residency and winning one is the purpose of this book.

Originally called a Form I-151, it was renamed to a "Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card" in December 1998. It became known as a "green card" because the card was initially green in color. Today, it features your photograph, fingerprints, a security hologram, CIS number, and a CIS expiration date on a white background.

Of course, you can also obtain a green card through a U.S. employer, or under certain circumstances, by being a qualifying family member of a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident. There are other visas too, such as those for alien "entrepreneurs", those seeking asylum or amnesty, and "special immigration" categories such as being in the clergy of a recognized religious denomination.

What is the Green Card (Diversity Visa) Lottery?

The U.S. Department of State operates a random computer drawing for those of you who wish to enter the USA to take up residence, seek employment, study, conduct business, invest, retire, or join family members already in the United States. As the "diversity" name implies, the program was established to increase the numbers of immigrants entering the U.S. from underrepresented countries. Although the diversity visa lottery and the green card lottery are used interchangeably here, the U.S. government program officially refers to this program as the "Diversity Visa Lottery."

The visa lottery is for anyone who wants to become a U.S. permanent resident. This includes temporary employees, students, business people, visitors, and others who are already in the U.S.

Please note that a green card is not issued automatically by winning the lottery, but is obtained after you submit additional documentation and are interviewed by a government official. Winning the diversity visa lottery just gives you an opportunity to receive U.S.

How do I apply?

he USAICS website is now accepting registrations for the American Green Card Lottery - Year 2006/7. start your registration process. or call us at .

How Did the Diversity Visa Lottery Began?

The system originated in 1986 with several temporary lottery programs created to help balance the burgeoning immigrant populations from Asia and Latin America. In 1995, a permanent diversity visa lottery system was established, awarding 55,000 visas to lottery winners. Over the last decade, the U.S. Congress increased this figure to as many as 95,000 visas and then reduced it to 50,000.

How Many Diversity Visa Winners Are There Each Year?

There are 50,000 visas available under the Diversity Visa Program. However, 100,000 primary applicants are selected as winners. Therefore, twice as many winners are selected as there are visas available. This is because, historically, about half of those selected change their mind or fail to qualify due to problems with their application.

Also, note that each person in your family gets one of the 50,000 available visas, even if there is only one "winner" per family. On average, each lottery winner uses three to five additional visas.

What The "DV-" Name Means?

Today's diversity visa lottery system has many informal names-the green card lottery, the immigration lottery, the visa lottery, and the Schumer Visa Lottery (named after U.S. Congressman Charles Schumer, its chief sponsor). It became identified with the "DV-" (Diversity Visa) symbol followed by the U.S. Government fiscal year in which the visas are finally awarded.

Will My Spouse And Children Also Get Green Cards?

Your immediate family will also receive visas, although they must also pass a visa interview along with you. Immediate family members include your spouse and unmarried children under 21. Immediate family members will be able to live and work permanently in the United States.

According to the current U.S. State Department policy, your children must be under the age of 21 when you (the principal applicant) register with the U.S. Embassy or file for adjustment of status with the local CIS office. Note that under the lottery rules effective August 08, 2001, you must list all your children on your visa lottery registration whether or not they will accompany you to the United States.

Who is The USAICS Organization?

We provide all the necessary information in our website. The USAICS Organization gives you the opportunity to apply for the American Green Card Lottery program, which will guarantee you a valid application that most certainly will qualify you to enter the program. We are not an American Government Agency; if you would like to know more about our Independent Organization please click here (url to be connected to the word here)

What is the cost for the Green Card Lottery program?

Participation in the American Green Card Lottery Program is free. However, the USAICS Organization charges a fixed fee per application only to ensure that all the US BCIS requirements are met. According to US Officials, 2.5 Million applications were rejected last year due to misinterpretation of the requirements (out of 10 Million forms submitted). We can prevent this from happening.

How will I know if I was selected?

"The USAICS organization center will notify all winners of the Green Card lottery via the contact information (email, phone or regular mail) provided by the applicants during (or later updated) the application process. You will be notified between April and June of the coming year together with the U.S government letter explaining how to apply for the Immigrant Visa. As stated earlier the applicants must meet the necessary requirements."

What are the requirements for education or work experience?

Every applicant must have at least a high school education or its equivalent or, within the past five years, have two years of work experience in an occupation requiring at least two years training or experience. A "high school education or equivalent" must be a successful completion of a twelve-year course of elementary and secondary education in the United States or successful completion in another country of a formal course of elementary and secondary education comparable to a high school education in the United States. Documentary proof of education or work experience should not be submitted with the lottery entry, but must be presented to the consular officer at the time of the visa interview

Can I pay by bank transfer?

Yes this option is available. USAICS uses a collection company named CCNow that accepts payments through bank transfer.

Is it safe to use a credit card online?

The service has the highest level encryption and so is completely secured. This guarantees that your personal data is not revealed to any other parties besides the Credit Card Company.

Why do certain countries not qualify?

"Diversity visas are meant to provide a better opportunity to countries with a low immigration to the U.S.A, that is why countries with a high admission rate to the U.S are not allowed to enter this lottery.

What are the updates in the new program?

The new rule states that all Green Card Lottery Applications must be made electronically. Being so, USAICS will submit all the completed applications electronically at the allocated time making your application eligible to participate."

Did you receive my photo(s)?

If you have carried out the online upload correctly you may check this information in the user section clicking "edit". If such was sent by regular mail you will be getting an email as soon as we receive the photographs and process them.

Do I need a printer?

No, it is not mandatory to use a printer as you can easily do this by uploading it to USAICS website. However, if you choose to send it by regular mail then a printer will be most necessary. If you choose to perform this way please print the "photo page" after entering the "user area" and attach your photo to it. After this you may send your photo(s) by regular mail

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