Why you might not immigrate to US despite winning DV lottery

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Millions of foreign nationals around the world are waiting with bated breath to know if they have been selected in the DV lottery programme to receive US permanent residency commonly known as green card.

It is the most popular way to legally immigrate to the US. Each year the US government issues about 55,000 green cards for successful applicants.

Run by the State Department, the programme seeks to boost nationalities of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.

But being selected does not guarantee immigration to the US. In this article, we look at major reasons as to why you might not immigrate to US despite winning DV lottery:

1.Unsuccessful visa interview

After being selected, winners will be expected to attend rigorous visa interviews at US embassies abroad to determine their suitability to enter the US. Consular officials will especially be interested in authenticity of the information they filled in the visa form DS 260 and compare them with the documentation provided.

Majority of winners will be eliminated at this stage. Conflicting information as in marriage for example can lead to visa denial. Serious criminal record can also deny you an opportunity to move to the US despite winning DV lottery.

2.Unable to meet financial obligation for the green card processing

Being selected in the DV lottery is the beginning of a process that requires financial stamina. That you have won a green card does not automatically mean that you will enter the US. Expenses for the DV lottery includes: Visa fee($330 per person), medical fee (between( 300-400$), You also need passports if you will be moving with your family, and air tickets. You will also pay a fee for the actual green card(about $200 per person).

Also Read: Step-by-Step guide for Green Card winners

In case you have no host in the US, you will need to find accommodation and that is not cheap either.

3.High case number 

Lottery winners are given case numbers which gives a rough idea on when an individual can be invited for a visa interview. The higher the case number the lower the chance of getting a slot for the interview and thus the lower the chance of immigrating to the US. The lottery offers about 55,000 permanent resident visas. If your case number is 100,000 for instance, your chance of being invited for the interview is minimal compared to someone with a case number of 5,000. This is also one of the reasons why you might not immigrate to the US despite winning a green card.

4.Your country is not eligible

Countries that have more than 50,000 of their citizens immigrate to the US over the previous five years are excluded from participating in the program. For DV-2024, which is currently in progress, that list includes: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

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