If you entered last year’s green card lottery (DV-2011), the U.S. State Department is now sending winning notification letters and forms to those who won. Winner notifications will run from now until the end of July, 2010.
MyGreencard.com, a leading web site dedicated to the green card lottery, just released “Lottery Winners ONLY” for lottery winners. You can view the Table of Contents.
This new publication includes: How and When to Check Online to See if You Won, Adjusting Status, Required Documents, Your Interview, How to Protect Yourself from Immigration Fraud, Top Reasons for "Inadmissibility", and much much more, including what to do if you are out of status.
The U.S. Department of State began notifying DV-2011 winners this week. And, lottery services will be sending or forwarding winning notices too. You should get your copy of this booklet as soon as you receive your winning letter since only the first 50,000 of the 100,000 winners can receive a green card.
Some critical things to remember are: 1) winning only gives applicants the opportunity to apply for a visa, 2) understand the possible pitfalls (by reading the booklet) and 3) make sure you meet all the qualifications, including financial requirements. I also suggest that in most cases you contact an immigration attorney. According to the State Department:
The selected individuals will be notified by mail between May and July 2010; the notification letters will provide further instructions, including information on fees connected with immigration to the United States. Those selected in the random drawing are NOT notified by e-mail. Those individuals NOT selected will NOT receive any notification. You will NOT receive an official selection letter at this address. However, if your entry is selected and you respond to the official letter you receive from the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC), you may receive follow-up communication from them by email.
How many New Mexico applicants entered last year’s lottery? I’ll guess that under 1000 people applied from the Albuquerque metropolitan area. This is because those born in Mexico, who may be visiting here temporarily, are ineligible for the diversity visa lottery. Worldwide, I previously estimated that perhaps 17 million may have applied.
Please note that beginning July 1, you can check online to see if you won, but only if you kept your Confirmation Number.
I’ll write more on this topic in future columns. But if you entered last year’s lottery and won, please let me know. I’d like to hear from you.
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