Green Card Lottery – Costs & Registration

Living and working in the land of opportunity through the Green Card Lottery is a big dream for many people, especially younger ones. This dream is especially strengthened when you’ve already vacationed in the United States and had the chance to experience the “American way of life.”

Between the desire to move to the U.S. and be able to live and work there permanently, and reality, there is usually the approval of the U.S. government. One of the best-known ways to obtain permanent residence and work authorization is the green card. Officially, the green card is also called the “United States Permanent Resident Card.”

What is the Green Card Lottery?

The Green Card Lottery is a type of drawing to win one of the highly sought-after green cards. The green card allows the holder to live and work in the U.S. permanently.

The green card was introduced in 1940 with the “Alien Registration Act.” With the outbreak of World War II, a way had to be created to distinguish illegal immigrants from people living legally in the U.S.

The history of the Green Card Lottery

The Green Card Lottery was introduced in the late 1980s under Ronald Reagan. This was done to ensure a better balance among nationalities. With the introduction of the Green Card Lottery, everyone was given the opportunity to immigrate to the U.S.; however, at the same time, immigration caps were set for the various countries.

Odds of winning the Green Card Lottery

Each year, the Green Card Lottery gives 55,000 people the chance to obtain one of the coveted green cards relatively easily and without much hassle. The only thing you need is a bit of luck.

Requirements to participate

In principle, anyone has the opportunity to participate in the Green Card Lottery. However, there are three basic requirements:

You must be from a country that is eligible to participate in the lottery.
You must provide proof of a school diploma equivalent to a 12-year U.S. high school diploma. This requirement is met with the German Realschulabschluss.
To apply for the green card, you need a valid passport.

Registering for the Green Card Lottery

Registration for the Green Card Lottery takes place only during the period between October and November. You then have about 30 days to submit your green card application. During this period, you can submit your application via the government’s official website.

Green Card Lottery data entry

To register for the green card, you’ll need some personal data and information. It’s best to have your valid passport handy so you can complete the registration.

Green Card Lottery photo requirements

You need a current photo of yourself that must not be older than six months. You may not wear glasses, and any kind of head covering such as hats, caps, and scarves is prohibited.

Green Card Lottery registration

After successful registration, you will receive a confirmation number. In May of the following year, it will be announced whether you are among the winners and are allowed to apply for the green card.

Filling out the DS-260 form

You won the Green Card Lottery? Congratulations! Now it’s time to gather documents and fill out forms. You must complete the DS-260 form online. In this form, you must disclose a lot of personal information about yourself, your health status, and your financial situation.

The green card interview at the U.S. consulate

After some time, you will receive an invitation to an interview with a consular officer. You will be asked about your life, your reasons, and other things—why you want to live and work in the U.S. At the end of the interview, you will be told whether you will receive a green card.

Receiving your green card in the U.S.

After your application is approved, you will receive a visa in your passport that authorizes you to enter the U.S. The green card is only mailed to an address in the U.S. So you will never have your green card mailed to your home address.

8 tips to increase your chances of getting a green card

Submit your application on time.
Upload a current photo that meets the photo requirements. The photo must not be older than six months.
Check in advance that your passport is valid.
Gather all required information ahead of time whenever possible.
Enter the Green Card Lottery every year.
Keep in mind that if you apply again, you must submit new and current photos.
Have your partner participate as well.
If you are already married, each of you should submit your own application.

Green Card Lottery costs

Registration for the Green Card Lottery is free on the official Department of State website. There are Green Card Lottery service agencies that handle submitting your application. The costs are often between €49 and €99.

Won a green card – these additional costs apply

Medical exam: approx. €200 to €400
Consular fee: approx. €280 per person
Green card issuance fee: $220 (approx. €206)

Green Card Lottery for Germany, Switzerland, and Austria

Participation is especially interesting for people from Germany, Switzerland, or Austria. For these people, the chances of winning the Green Card Lottery have more than doubled.

What should I expect if I win?

If you didn’t win, unfortunately the whole matter is over. You shouldn’t get discouraged and should try again next year.

But if you are among the lucky winners, you will receive mail and get forms that you must fill out. These forms will ask you very detailed questions about your life.

The most important thing at the end: If you won the Green Card Lottery, you do NOT receive a green card yet! What you get is authorization to apply for a green card. So it is entirely possible that your application could still be denied (even though that case is rather unlikely).