The German "Green Card" (2024)

FAQs

Is the DV lottery really random? ›

The DV program issues 55,000 immigrant visas annually, based on the results of a random drawing. 2 The visas are apportioned among countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. For fiscal year 2023, more than 9.5 million people applied to the green card lottery.

The Opportunity Card is initially issued as a job search permit for up to one year, giving the applicant the opportunity to seek employment in Germany. Applicants from non-EU countries are guaranteed a 12-month stay in Germany through the Opportunity Card to look for a job.

Immigrating from Germany to the US involves a substantial commitment of time, effort, and careful deliberation. The immigration application process can be complex and tiring, which is why engaging the services of an immigration specialist can prove highly beneficial.

How to increase your chances of being selected. Given that the Diversity Visa program is based on a random selection process, there is no way to ensure your selection. Remember that millions apply for each lottery, but only a maximum of 55,000 will win.

Egypt is one of the countries that has received the most along with Algeria, Iran, Russia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan. It's not that those countries are favoured, but that a LOT of people from those countries submit entries. Also, selection is done regionally, not nationally.

The lottery cap for FY 2024 will be about 55,000. The win rate for the lottery has fallen about 80 percent since 1995, when the first lottery was held, to about 0.25 percent—a 1 in 400 chance of receiving a green card.

To receive the Opportunity Card, basic knowledge of German at level A1 or English at level B2 is required. Other language skills play a role in the points system. German at level A2 is awarded one point, German at level B1 is awarded two points, German at level B2 is awarded three points.

The Opportunity Card in Germany differs from the Green Card in that it allows a period of residence of one year. You do not have to have a job offer or an employment contract or a family relationship. However, you must score at least six points in the points system for the Opportunity Card.

The United States generally permits dual citizenship, allowing its citizens to hold citizenship in other countries simultaneously.

Are Germans accepting of immigrants? ›

Three decades later, Germany has taken in millions of Ukrainians, Syrians, and Afghans, drastically changing how the country welcomes and integrates migrants.

You are able to stay in United States for up to 90 days. If you wish to stay longer, please refer to the information at the top of this page to see if there are any long-stay visa options. If there are none, please contact your nearest American embassy or consulate for more information on how to extend your stay.

The two countries that won most immigrant visas were Egypt and Russia, with 5,568 and 5,118 winners, respectively, of this year's DV-2020 diversity lottery, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (4,743 applicants selected), Iran (4,101), Nepal (3,696) and Sudan (3,691).

Inadmissibility Criteria, including 212(a)(4)(A) Public Charge — The same inadmissibility criteria that apply to other immigrants also apply to Lottery winners: medical, criminal, security, unlawful presence, etc… Under the public charge rules, Lottery winners are vulnerable to being refused on these grounds.

Employment-based (EB) visas are one of the fastest and most efficient ways to get a U.S. Green Card. The EB-5 Visa is often the quickest route. EB-5 investors can self-sponsor, meaning they do not require a Labor Certification or proof of employment.

DV-Lottery winners are randomly selected by computer from eligible countries in six regions. A lottery is used as a fair, unbiased method to choose DV Lottery participants for the opportunity to continue the US immigration process.

Each year, many people get U.S. green cards through the lottery who wouldn't otherwise qualify for green cards at all, and others cut years off their wait time for a green card.

The balls are random so there is a very slim chance that a number will repeat–in the neighborhood of 3 or 4%. But, don't forget: You have the same chance that any other ball is chosen, too.

Learn if you are eligible for the Diversity Visa Program

The program is also known as the DV Lottery and the Green Card Lottery. It makes a limited number of immigrant visas available every year to people meeting certain eligibility requirements.