Things to know before entering the DV 2011 & 2012!
Before you enter into the DV 2011 & 2012 when it opens to any eligible person, you should be aware of the following.
You don't get the GC just by winning. You have to show proof of certains things like:
-High School diploma or equivelant or having worked for the last 2 out of 5 years in a job from the approved list. (to be found on the DV website)
-Your country of origin has to be eligible to play the lotery.
-If you have syphilis your chances are slim to none of obtaining the GC. (as of 10/ 30/2009, people with HIV are allowed to enter the USA and obtain a visa/GC, etc. Check out, there have been more changes 10/1/2010)
-You have to pay the DV fees after winning and before obtaining the GC and if you are denied you won't get a refund. (fees can be up to $ 1,600 per person)
-You pay for your own tickets to travel to the US after having the GC. Additonal tickets for people traveling with you, all for your own expense.
-All persons traveling need their own passport.
-If you don't have a job (job offer doesn't count, you need to work the job and have proof) in the US you either need to proof you have enough savings (according to the poverty guidelines) per person or you need to have a US sponsor who is willing to sign off to guarantee he/she will provide in case you won't have an income.
-Have no prior criminal record (counts for all applying ofor the GC), some things are over looked but being a felon is a guarantee you will be denied.
-You have to know if you really want to immigrate since the GC isn't just a visa on which you can live in your own country and go and visit whenever you want....of course you are allowed to travel in and out the USA as much as you want, but the GC means you live and work here the majority of the time.
Many people enter the lotery and don't realize that if you win, the only thing (but most important) is a chance to enter into the process of obtaining a GC which can take months and cost money and some stress but the great GC can be waiting in the end.
I didn't write this to discourage any one but just so people know what they enter and if they win they know they really want to move here...otherwise don't enter and give the people who really want to be here, a better chance of winning.
I have read so many threads from people who only started to think after winning and sometimes didn't have a chance to obtain the GC or didn't want to move....so please think before you enter!
...and hopefully you win!
Medical cost can also add up. It depends if you already had all vaccinations taken care off or not. If not you have to pay to get everything updated and for all woman/girls between 12 and 26, they need to have the HPV vaccin which takes 7 months to complete and only if you are pregnant you don't need it otherwise it is mandatory. If your TB turns out to be unsure, the civil surgeon can order X-Rays to be taken which add also to the costs. For every person filled out on the application you have to have the medical done...(added this due to sudipmuk response). Medical fees vary from $ 100.- to $ 400.- but maybe some have paid even more per person. HPV cost aprox. $ 145.-.
Lately gay people who got married in Countries that do recognize gay marriages, have asked if they are eligible to apply together if one is winning and can the spouse apply too. The answer is very clear. "NO". The USA doesn't allow gay marriages. Even if they have kids and the kids will receive a GC it will take at least 5 years before the child can become a Citizen and can sponsor a parent, but not a parent from the samesex as the other parent since only a man and a woman can get a baby, so 2 men or 2 woman can't receive a child and be both the parents since sex marriages aren't recognized so neither will the adoption due to the marriage be able to be a way to obtain a GC.
If you claim your husband/wife died, you need a death certificate to proof.
If you have proof of all requirements you should be eligible.
A sponsor form could make your case go much easier. Many have had the question to provide the form + proof, so the earlier you start preparing all the papers the better it is. A sponsor is liable if you become a liability and request certain benefits after entering the US and applying for them within a certain time frame.
When you move to the USA you are responsible for all costs of moving, tickets, housing, medical expenses (insurance) and future income. Unless you have some one paying for all of that, you have to pay it your self.
Important: the risks that people may face when applying for the DV. There is an article that analyzes the DV program and it says that since 2005 all the information disclosed on the lottery applications are not longer destroyed and these millions of applications are now in a database with names, biographic information and photographs of people who voluntarily participate in the DV program.
The bottom line is that this information could be used in many ways and, if the applicant is not issued the immigrant visa, some may have their student and/or visitor's visas canceled for possessing "immigrant intent" and may not be eligible for future visas because they had expressed an intent to immigrate. (thanks to i2009). So inform your self before you enter, you might risk your visa....
Also if you ever been denied a visa for whatever reason, you have to fill out the "yes" box of ever been denied a visa, which can and will cause an issue if you ever want to enter the US on tourist visa or any other visa application...the US has noted you intheir computer of having the intent to stay here which is a red flag.
Many have done it before you so you should be able to do it....
For 2012 DV lottery, the winners won't be notified by letter anymore only by logging in with their confirmation # that you get when you enter.
Due to the economy there are less jobs and foreclosures are up which can mean you can find good deals to buy a home but you need cash to do so as a foreigner. The rental market is very hot now due to people who are foreclosed on need a rental too. With no cash and no rental history in the US it might be harder to get a rental. I own a property management company so I run into this everyday with people who have no history and no cash...which means no rental!
The economy has not hit hard every where so look what part of the country has more job offers and lower housing cost or no income tax like Florida, but it has a high unemployment so many are fighting to get that one job. Due to uncertainty about Health care many businesses are not hiring until they know what will happen...this is not disencourage you but just being honest about what is happening. We have seen many foreigners who are very happy here and also people who spent a lot of money and have to go back. You have no right to unemployment, health care, etc.... so be prepared to pay for it. Kids can get some free health care at the Health department until they are 18 yrs old, but that is mostly for their vaccinations, but it can help to go there.
Before you enter into the DV 2011 & 2012 when it opens to any eligible person, you should be aware of the following.
You don't get the GC just by winning. You have to show proof of certains things like:
-High School diploma or equivelant or having worked for the last 2 out of 5 years in a job from the approved list. (to be found on the DV website)
-Your country of origin has to be eligible to play the lotery.
-If you have syphilis your chances are slim to none of obtaining the GC. (as of 10/ 30/2009, people with HIV are allowed to enter the USA and obtain a visa/GC, etc. Check out, there have been more changes 10/1/2010)
-You have to pay the DV fees after winning and before obtaining the GC and if you are denied you won't get a refund. (fees can be up to $ 1,600 per person)
-You pay for your own tickets to travel to the US after having the GC. Additonal tickets for people traveling with you, all for your own expense.
-All persons traveling need their own passport.
-If you don't have a job (job offer doesn't count, you need to work the job and have proof) in the US you either need to proof you have enough savings (according to the poverty guidelines) per person or you need to have a US sponsor who is willing to sign off to guarantee he/she will provide in case you won't have an income.
-Have no prior criminal record (counts for all applying ofor the GC), some things are over looked but being a felon is a guarantee you will be denied.
-You have to know if you really want to immigrate since the GC isn't just a visa on which you can live in your own country and go and visit whenever you want....of course you are allowed to travel in and out the USA as much as you want, but the GC means you live and work here the majority of the time.
Many people enter the lotery and don't realize that if you win, the only thing (but most important) is a chance to enter into the process of obtaining a GC which can take months and cost money and some stress but the great GC can be waiting in the end.
I didn't write this to discourage any one but just so people know what they enter and if they win they know they really want to move here...otherwise don't enter and give the people who really want to be here, a better chance of winning.
I have read so many threads from people who only started to think after winning and sometimes didn't have a chance to obtain the GC or didn't want to move....so please think before you enter!
...and hopefully you win!Medical cost can also add up. It depends if you already had all vaccinations taken care off or not. If not you have to pay to get everything updated and for all woman/girls between 12 and 26, they need to have the HPV vaccin which takes 7 months to complete and only if you are pregnant you don't need it otherwise it is mandatory. If your TB turns out to be unsure, the civil surgeon can order X-Rays to be taken which add also to the costs. For every person filled out on the application you have to have the medical done...(added this due to sudipmuk response
). Medical fees vary from $ 100.- to $ 400.- but maybe some have paid even more per person. HPV cost aprox. $ 145.-.Lately gay people who got married in Countries that do recognize gay marriages, have asked if they are eligible to apply together if one is winning and can the spouse apply too. The answer is very clear. "NO". The USA doesn't allow gay marriages. Even if they have kids and the kids will receive a GC it will take at least 5 years before the child can become a Citizen and can sponsor a parent, but not a parent from the samesex as the other parent since only a man and a woman can get a baby, so 2 men or 2 woman can't receive a child and be both the parents since sex marriages aren't recognized so neither will the adoption due to the marriage be able to be a way to obtain a GC.
If you claim your husband/wife died, you need a death certificate to proof.
If you have proof of all requirements you should be eligible.
A sponsor form could make your case go much easier. Many have had the question to provide the form + proof, so the earlier you start preparing all the papers the better it is. A sponsor is liable if you become a liability and request certain benefits after entering the US and applying for them within a certain time frame.
When you move to the USA you are responsible for all costs of moving, tickets, housing, medical expenses (insurance) and future income. Unless you have some one paying for all of that, you have to pay it your self.
Important: the risks that people may face when applying for the DV. There is an article that analyzes the DV program and it says that since 2005 all the information disclosed on the lottery applications are not longer destroyed and these millions of applications are now in a database with names, biographic information and photographs of people who voluntarily participate in the DV program.
The bottom line is that this information could be used in many ways and, if the applicant is not issued the immigrant visa, some may have their student and/or visitor's visas canceled for possessing "immigrant intent" and may not be eligible for future visas because they had expressed an intent to immigrate. (thanks to i2009). So inform your self before you enter, you might risk your visa....
Also if you ever been denied a visa for whatever reason, you have to fill out the "yes" box of ever been denied a visa, which can and will cause an issue if you ever want to enter the US on tourist visa or any other visa application...the US has noted you intheir computer of having the intent to stay here which is a red flag.
Many have done it before you so you should be able to do it....
For 2012 DV lottery, the winners won't be notified by letter anymore only by logging in with their confirmation # that you get when you enter.
Due to the economy there are less jobs and foreclosures are up which can mean you can find good deals to buy a home but you need cash to do so as a foreigner. The rental market is very hot now due to people who are foreclosed on need a rental too. With no cash and no rental history in the US it might be harder to get a rental. I own a property management company so I run into this everyday with people who have no history and no cash...which means no rental!
The economy has not hit hard every where so look what part of the country has more job offers and lower housing cost or no income tax like Florida, but it has a high unemployment so many are fighting to get that one job. Due to uncertainty about Health care many businesses are not hiring until they know what will happen...this is not disencourage you but just being honest about what is happening. We have seen many foreigners who are very happy here and also people who spent a lot of money and have to go back. You have no right to unemployment, health care, etc.... so be prepared to pay for it. Kids can get some free health care at the Health department until they are 18 yrs old, but that is mostly for their vaccinations, but it can help to go there.
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