Learn how to get a Green Card to become a permanent resident, check your green card case status, bring a foreign spouse to live in the U.S. and what documents you need when traveling back to the U.S. Also, find out how to enter or check your results for the Diversity Visa Lottery program.
A Green Card (Permanent Resident Card):
You can present a legal document issued in the United
States for use in another country. These documents can include court
orders, contracts, vital records, and educational diplomas.
The process to get a document authenticated depends on the specific document, the state in which it was issued, and other factors. Check with your state’s document authentication agency and the Authentications and Apostilles page from the Department of State (DOS).
For more information, details on a procedure, or status, call the DOS Office of Authentications at 1-202-485-8000, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday.
The United States’ Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Lottery
program allows for up to 50,000 immigrant visas to be awarded each year.
It gives foreign nationals of countries that have low rates of
immigration to the U.S. an opportunity to participate in a random
drawing for the potential of getting an immigration visa. Check the State Department’s DV lottery site to learn more about the program.
Your status determines who you can bring (sponsor) to live and work in the United States.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can sponsor:
If you or a member of your family is in the U.S. military, you may petition for citizenship for family members.
If you have a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or are a foreign citizen living in the U.S., you may need additional documents to
return to the U.S. after traveling abroad. Obtain these necessary
documents from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS) before your trip:
Apply for, Renew, or Replace a Green Card
- Gives you official immigration status in the United States
- Entitles you to certain rights and responsibilities
- Is required if you wish to naturalize as a U.S. Citizen
Apply for a Green Card
- Find out if you're eligible.
- If you are eligible, file Form I-485 - Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with USCIS, including all supporting documents and fees.
- USCIS will review your application and schedule an interview with you.
- Once issued, your Green Card will be valid for 10 years.
Renew or Replace a Green Card
Learn how to renew or replace your Green Card:- Renew your Green Card if your current card expired or will expire in the next six months.
- Replace your Green Card for a number of reasons, including loss or theft.
Check Your Case Status
- Go online to check the status of your case using your receipt number.
Beware of Scams
If you are not familiar with the immigration, visa or Green Card process, scammers will try to take advantage of you by getting your personal information or your money. Learn about common immigration scams and identity fraud. You can also file a complaint in your state.Authenticate Documents
The process to get a document authenticated depends on the specific document, the state in which it was issued, and other factors. Check with your state’s document authentication agency and the Authentications and Apostilles page from the Department of State (DOS).
For more information, details on a procedure, or status, call the DOS Office of Authentications at 1-202-485-8000, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday.
Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery Program
Eligibility Requirements
Also known as the Green Card lottery, the DV program makes a limited number of immigrant visas available every year to people meeting certain eligibility requirements:- You must be a foreign citizen from a country with a low immigration rate to the United States. Each year, the U.S. Department of State puts out a list of eligible and ineligible countries. The list of countries may change each year. See the 2020 DV lottery instructions (PDF, Download Adobe Reader) (PDF, Download Adobe Reader) for the most recent list.
- You must have graduated from high school or its equivalent or have qualifying work experience.
Participating in the Lottery
The lottery is open once a year, usually for 4 to 5 weeks in the fall.- Online registration for the 2020 Diversity Visa Lottery concluded on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.
- If you qualify for a Green Card, 2020 is the year you can enter into the United States.
- Complete the online application for the lottery. It is a web form only and cannot be downloaded. There is no charge for registering.
- Keep your confirmation number in a safe place; you will need that number to check the status of your entry online. If you lose it, you can recover your confirmation number.
DV Lottery Results
- Results for the 2019 DV lottery are available May 15, 2018 through September 30, 2019 for people who submitted an application in Fall 2017 to enter the U.S. in 2019.
- Results for the 2020 DV lottery will be available starting May 7, 2019.
- Make sure you have your confirmation number to check your application status. You can only check your status by going online. The State Department will not send you a letter or an email about winning a Green Card. See the fraud warning below.
If You Are a DV Lottery Winner
If you are selected through the random lottery drawing, you can move forward in applying for an immigrant visa (Green Card).- Submit your visa application, DS form 260.
- Prepare for your interview.
- If you have a question about your interview, call the Kentucky Consular Center, 1-606-526-7500, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET.
Fraud Warning
The State Department wants DV lottery participants to know about scams involving fraudulent email and letters sent to DV program applicants. The U.S. government is the exclusive operator of the DV program. It may send you an email reminding you to check the status of your entry, but it will not contact you by email or letter to let you know if you are a winner. You have to check online yourself. The U.S. government will also never ask you to pay for your visa in advance by wire transfer, money order, or check.Sponsor a Foreign Spouse, Future Spouse, or Relative
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can sponsor:
- Your foreign spouse or fiancé(e)
- Your foreign children
- Certain immediate relatives, such as parents or siblings
- Your foreign spouse
- Your unmarried children (regardless of age)
If you or a member of your family is in the U.S. military, you may petition for citizenship for family members.
Travel Documents for Foreign Residents Returning to the U.S.
Permanent and Conditional Residents
- Absent for one year or longer:
- Apply for a re-entry permit using Form I-131 - Application for Travel Document.
- The permit is valid for two years from the date of issue for Permanent Residents; up to two years for Conditional Residents.
- Absent for less than one year:
- No additional document is required.
- Show your Green Card upon your return.
All Other Foreign Citizens Living in the U.S.
- Contact USCIS and your country's embassy or consulate for all document requirements.
- United States: Call 1-800-375-5283; for TTY dial 1-800-767-1833
- Abroad: Contact the nearest USCIS international office or a U.S. Embassy or consulate.
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