How to fill out a green card application yourself

A green card, or Green Card in English, gives you the opportunity to receive a preferential mortgage and open your own business. As well as other advantages of living in America. With it you can freely travel within the country and go to places where there is a visa-free regime. The question arises - how to get a US green card? It is difficult to obtain and very easy to lose.

3d illustration of a transparent map of the United States sitting on top of a green card hovering above a reflective gray surface

What does the US Green Card give?

The Green Card actually has a greenish tint. At one time they issued white cards, but then they returned the original version. The official name is much longer than usual - United States Permanent Resident.

The document gives the right to permanently reside on American territory. It is a plastic card. It contains personal information, including a photograph and fingerprints. In essence, it is an identity card.

The Green Card holder becomes a resident of the United States. Now he is under the protection of American justice. Travel abroad is allowed, but without long-term absence for an unexcused reason. Obtaining a certificate is only a step towards naturalization and citizenship.

Photo requirements for participation in the Green Card Lottery

• The head in the photo must be straight, tilting the head is prohibited;
• the background should be light and monochromatic;
• photographs with a dark background will not be accepted;
• there should be no relief or any other design on the background;
• the photo must be sharp;
• a headdress in the photo is allowed only if it is necessary for your religious beliefs, but no part of the face should be covered;
• The photo must be taken in JPG format;
• The photo must be color with a depth of 24 bits. Unfortunately, black and white photographs will not be suitable in this case;
• the file size cannot be more than 240 kilobytes;
• The image resolution should be 600 by 600 pixels (this is the height and width, respectively).

Read more Green Card DV-2020 Lottery: when will it start?

The scanned photograph must also meet the above requirements. In addition, the scanner must have a resolution of 300 DPI. The size must be no more than 240 kilobytes, and the photo resolution must also be 600 by 600 pixels. The image must be color with a depth of 24 bits. Remember that the photo must be no older than six months and there must be no shadows on it. Retouching of photographs is also not allowed.

This is what properly framed photographs look like:

This is what incorrectly framed photos look like:

Important information: You can check the photo on the official website before sending it. If the photo is inappropriate, the program will point out any discrepancies to you. Also on the site you can see examples of correctly executed photographs.

You can adjust the photo and crop it yourself using the link.

Ways to obtain a US green card

Citizens of different countries want to come to America: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, etc. Regardless of your nationality, you need to know how to obtain a US green card legally.

There are several ways to obtain a Gren Card

Family reunion

Only direct family ties are taken into account: brothers, sisters, parents, spouses, children under 21 years of age. An American citizen has the right to take his family from another country for permanent residence and apply for a certificate.

Marriage

The Green Card is available to official spouses of permanent residents. Civil marriage is not considered. Immigration officials are well aware that migrants enter into sham marriages. During the interview, additional questions will be asked regarding family life.

To confirm, you will have to collect all possible evidence of family life. This includes birth certificates of children, utility bills, joint real estate, and business. Based on the marriage certificate, a Green Card is issued for 2 years. Then it needs to be extended.

Work and political visas

The United States is interested in high-quality specialists: scientists, athletes, programmers, artists, musicians, etc. Often large companies lure citizens of other countries to lead positions. Management first gives a work visa, and then assists in obtaining a certificate for the employee.

America provides refuge to people who are in danger in their home countries for religious, political or other reasons.

To figure out how to get a US green card for a citizen of the Russian Federation, you need to understand that words about persecution require evidence.

Investment

You can obtain resident status if you invest more than $500,000 in the American economy. Then, within 2 years, create 10 jobs. The method is suitable for wealthy people. You can create your own business or invest in an existing company.

It doesn’t matter which country the investor comes from: Belarus or the Russian Federation, Canada or Mexico. The US authorities have a positive attitude towards those who are ready to invest in the economy.

Obtaining political asylum or refugee status

How to obtain political asylum in the USA
The situation in the world is difficult. There are wars, the threat of terrorism still exists, and the map of political influence is changing. America's immigration laws are changing. Information needs to be tracked on official websites. The authorities introduce new restrictions on refugee migration every year.

Political asylum is granted to people who have already arrived in America. Refugee status is requested prior to arrival. This is the fundamental difference.

Harassment and threats mean unfounded arrests, threats, violations of human rights and freedoms. If the situation at home changes, the States will deport you back.

Lottery DV-Lottery (DV-Programm)

The US green card lottery is held every year at a strictly set time. In 2021, a draw for documents for 2023 will be held. Registration will take place from October 7 to November 10.

This is the easiest and free way to get a Green Card. First, fill out a form. It is submitted along with the application. The drawing and announcement of the results will be published in the spring of 2022 on the official website https://dvprogram-state-gov.ru

If a person wins, then the receipt will take place only in 2023. After winning, a $300 consular fee is paid. A prerequisite for registration is successful completion of an interview at the embassy.

To increase the chances, all family members submit documents. Then the winner can apply for his direct relatives under the family reunification program. The questionnaire must not contain distorted facts or deviate from the sample. Mistakes and lies may result in disqualification.

The lottery is administered by the American State Department. It sets a limit based on the countries from which migrants are coming. For each state there is a limit: no more than 7% of the total number of visas issued.

It turns out that the fewer compatriots who come, the better for the one who submits the application

Filling out a form to participate in the Green Card drawing

Let us repeat once again: the official website where forms for participation in the lottery are filled out https://dvlottery.state.gov/.

Home page dvlottery.state.gov

In order to correctly fill out the application form for a Green Card and take part in DV 2022, you must correctly indicate the following information: Last name and first name of the applicant, and the last name and first name are filled in in different columns. The third column indicates your second name, if you have one. If you entered your middle name in the third column, this will not be an error. However, it is more correct, if you do not have a middle name, to check the box next to this option. a. — Last name of the participant

b. — Applicant's name

c. — this column indicates the second name (if any). Very often, applicants indicate their middle name here - this is not necessary, but it is not a mistake either. If there is no direct middle name, then it is better to check the box next to “No middle name”.

Next, you will have to indicate your gender, fill in information about your date of birth, your place of birth. If your place of birth has been renamed, it is necessary to indicate the new name of the locality.

In the next paragraph of the questionnaire you will have to select the country of your birth, and in the paragraph below you indicate the country from which you are taking part in the lottery. If your country of birth and country of participation are the same, simply check the appropriate box.

Starting from DV-2021, each applicant (main, in the case of a family application) must indicate passport details (for citizens of the Russian Federation, a foreign passport). In field 7A the name is indicated in Latin letters as in the passport. Next is the passport number, its validity period and the country that issued the passport.

If for some reason you do not have a passport, select the appropriate option:

• Stateless (stateless);
• A citizen of a communist-controlled country and unable to obtain a passport in his own country;
• It is not possible to obtain a passport and received a personal refusal from the Minister of National Security or the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Next, you will be required to upload a photo and provide a mailing address. The address can be anything, the main thing is that you can be found by it. When filling out address information, you will also have to indicate the addressee's first and last name, street name, house number, apartment number.

9a. Recipient's First and Last Name

9b. street, house and apartment number

9c. if the data from paragraph 8b. does not fit, then you can add it here. If the information fits, do not write anything.

Read more Green Card: what to do after winning?

9d. name of the locality

9e. region

9f. index

9g. The name of the country

Important information: there is a special column where you can enter data about the street, house number and apartment number if they do not fit in the above fields. If all the data fits, field 9c may not be filled in.

10. The country in which the participant currently lives.

11 - you must specify a phone number with a prefix (optional field). Point number 12 is the email address belonging to the applicant, that is, you. In the next paragraph (number 13 ), you must select your level of education from the options offered.

Please note that the options include both completed and incomplete education at different levels.

• Primary school only - only basic education;
• High school, no degree - complete secondary education without a supporting document;
• High school degree - completed secondary school;
• Vocational school – secondary special, technical;
• Some university courses – incomplete higher education;
• University degree – completed higher education;
• Some graduate level courses - unfinished master's degree;
• Master's degree - completed master's degree;
• Some doctoral level courses - unfinished doctoral studies;
• Doctorate degree - Availability of a doctorate degree;

In paragraph 14 , you must indicate (choose from the options provided) your marital status. If you have a spouse, you will need to fill out information about him (her). This is information about the last name, first name, middle name, if any. Also data on date of birth, gender, name of the locality where the spouse was born, country of birth, and also upload a photo. If you noted the presence of children, you will be asked to fill out information about them.

If you have children (under 21 years old), indicate their number in paragraph 15 . Next, you will need to fill out information for each child. If there are no children, enter 0.

After you have filled out all the required fields, the complete form you filled out will open to you, so you can also check the correctness of the information you entered. If an error is detected, the system allows you to go back and correct the inaccuracy. If everything was filled out correctly, you click the next button and complete the application.

Save this information!

What advantages do Green Card holders have?

After officially obtaining a US green card, its holder immediately receives the following privileges:

• Bring relatives to America.
• Apply for a job.
• Preferential mortgage.
• Travel within the country without restrictions.
• Travel around the world.
• Legally reside in American territory.
• Protection of American legislation.
• Discounts and grants for training.
• Advantageous loans with reduced interest rates.
• The right to open a business.
• Obtain American citizenship.
• Guarantee of pension and social benefits.
• Discounts on insurance.

If you comply with the laws and rules of staying in the United States, then 5 years after receiving a Green Card you can apply for American citizenship. Until this point, the immigrant retains the citizenship of his country.

Main features of the visa lottery

Before you figure out how to fill out a Green Card (that is, submit the form correctly and complete subsequent steps), it’s worth learning about the nuances of DV Lottery.

• America is the only country in the world that organizes such lotteries.
• The first visa draw was held in 1994.
• Participation in the lottery is absolutely free and does not require in-depth knowledge of the English language.
• You can try your luck for an unlimited number of years in a row. But during one registration period you are only allowed to play once.
• In parallel with playing the lottery, you are allowed to apply for other US visas (including immigration). If defeated, there will be no obstacles to subsequent requests for any US visas.
• Every year, 50 thousand foreigners receive immigrant visas to the United States as part of the DV Lottery.
• Visas are distributed across all geographic regions (there are six such regions in total). Citizens of territories with a small proportion of residents emigrating to the New World have the highest chances.
• After successfully passing the interview, DV lottery winners travel to the United States, where they receive permanent resident status. This status is supported by the issuance of an identification card (in common parlance it is called a Green Card).

Who is eligible to participate in the drawing?

Persons who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for participation in the lottery:

• Residence in a country from the list of countries allowed to participate in the DV Lottery. You can bypass this requirement if:
• The candidate's wife/husband was born in a country eligible for the current year's draw.
• One of the applicant's parents was born in a state eligible for the lottery.
• Relevant education or work experience: Or at least secondary education, documented. You will need at least a high school diploma or other similar document.
• Or at least 2 years of work experience over the past five years. Experience in certain professions is required. The list of suitable specialties is in the database of the US Department of Labor (you should go to the department’s website).
• Based on education and work history requirements, most applicants under 18 years of age are disqualified.

Restrictions for US Green Card holders

A migrant with a work visa is required to work for the inviting company for at least 6 months. Otherwise, suspicions and doubts about reliability arise.

The owner is restricted from leaving the country. If the trip lasts for six months or more, the card may be cancelled. To maintain residency status, you must stay in the States for at least 6 months a year. The rule applies to any person: Mexican, Ukrainian, Kazakh, etc.

Short-term trips or a valid reason for a long absence are allowed. In the second case, a special form Form 131 – Re-entry Permit is filled out.

If a migrant changes his address, he has only 10 days to notify the migration service. All his actions are under control. Any deviation raises suspicions of deception and fraud.

We must not forget about the obligation to our native state. After a Russian citizen has managed to obtain a US green card, he needs to notify the Russian side about obtaining a residence permit. You have 60 days to send a message to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

If you leave the United States for more than six months, your Green Card may be canceled

From the history of green cards

The United States has been a country of immigrants since its founding. Until the beginning of the twentieth century. the process of foreign citizens entering the country was unmanageable and not regulated in any way. The green card was first introduced in 1940. as a “Registration Card of a Foreign Citizen,” and migrants could apply for it at any post office in the country. The first cards were white with green ink, and the photographs of their owners were also greenish. This is where the name green card comes from, which means “green card” in English. This name is still in effect, despite the fact that the green card has changed its color and design several times. So, for example, for some time it was even pink, but since 1999. The green color of this document is back again. Computer-readable plastic green cards appeared in the 1970s, and acquired their current appearance after another redesign a year ago. Thanks to the halogram and optical memory, this document is the most secure against counterfeiting in the world.

Obligations of Green Card holders to the United States

In addition to pleasant bonuses, the owner also receives obligations:

• Payment of taxes, timely submission of declarations.
• Men from 18 to 27 years old register for military service.
• Comply with national and state laws.
• Maintain the state system.
• Do not leave for a long time without a good reason.

Overall, the Green Card provides more benefits. The restrictions and obligations are quite logical. The state requires all residents to comply with local laws and pay taxes.

Application deadlines

Typically, deadlines for accepting applications for participation are announced a month or at least 20 days in advance. But this year, information on the US State Department website appeared only on the last day of September. According to it, the acceptance of applications for participation in the DV-Lottery 2022 draw will begin at noon, October 7, and will also end at noon, on November 10. All according to North American Eastern Time (EST), that is, +8 hours for Moscow.

UPD: applications for participation in the Green Card lottery in 2021 are closed as of November 11.

Perhaps the DV-Lottery 2021 is the last chance for a Green Card for Russians. Image from freepik.com.

Previously, information has repeatedly appeared on the Internet that the deadline for submitting applications for participation in 2021 will be 02.10-05.11, but this contradicts official information. Apparently, before its appearance, sources were guided by the registration dates of last year.

New rules for issuing a Green Card in 2021

Changes in obtaining a Green Card in 2021
Illegal immigrants are the scourge of America. But legal immigrants also pose a problem. We are talking about those who have no value, but enjoy benefits and benefits. It is not profitable for the state to maintain them.

Former President Donald Trump launched a crackdown on poor, unskilled migrants in 2021. To reduce the burden on the budget and free up jobs for Americans, additional conditions have appeared.

Changes to the conditions for issuing a Green Card

First of all, Trump was against the lottery. It is this that makes it possible to receive a card regardless of its usefulness and condition. In 2021, a ban was introduced for those who do not have the money to pay for health insurance.

To obtain permanent residence, a migrant must prove an income that exceeds the American subsistence level by 250%. Now the question of how to get a US green card in 2021 has been greatly complicated by additional prohibitions.

Now applicants are limited in receiving benefits. The state provides social assistance.

But if over the past 3 years a foreigner has received financial support, free health insurance or food stamps for more than 1 year, then he will be denied a Green Card.

At the end of January 2021, the media reported that entry rules for pregnant women were being tightened. The authorities want to eradicate the practice of maternity tourism.” People often come to America only for the purpose of giving birth and obtaining automatic citizenship for the child.

Changes for Green Card holders

After receiving the card, male migrants aged 18 to 25 are required to register with the military. This is done in case of an emergency. There is no conscription in America, because the army is recruited on a contract basis. But failure to register can result in deportation.

The state fee for filing an application for citizenship and residence is increasing. Refugees pay $50 to apply for asylum, and $1,170 to apply for citizenship.

The new President Biden has made the question of how to get a US green card in 2021 more realistic.

According to the latest data, the number of migration visas and quotas for card lotteries is increasing

How to find out the lottery results

Under the terms of the program, 55,000 people become winners - these are residents from six continents. This is the number of Green Card immigrant visas that the US Government awards annually. After living in this status for 5 years, a foreigner can apply for American citizenship. But, as already mentioned, it is a matter of chance, that is, out of 10 million people, about 90,000 applicants for the DV-2022 lottery are selected using a random number generator, of which the first 55,000 people will be winners. The remaining 35,000 people are included in the reserve list, in case any of the winners refused to move or did not go through further stages.

The selection process for Green Card winners under the DV-2022 program will begin in December 2021 and end in April 2021, results for participants are available from May 5, 2021 to September 30, 2022. To check your status:

1. Go to the official website of the US State Department at https://dvprogram.state.gov/.
2. Information in English will appear on the page; it can be conveniently translated into Russian. To check, click on the Check Status button in the translation “Check status”.

3. Then a new window will appear, you need to click on Continue. Then another window will appear asking you to fill out fields with identification data. Here you will need the DV-2022 Submission Confirmation letter, which you received after sending the application form. It contains the Confirmation number, last name and first name in Latin, year of birth.

4. All this information is entered into the appropriate fields - authentication is carried out using captcha (symbols), click Submi. As a result, the applicant wins or loses. Winners are redirected to the next page, where instructions with further actions are published. Those who did not win on May 05, 2021 have until September 30, 2022 to check their status.

Acquiring US Citizenship through Naturalization

5 years after receiving a green card, you can apply for American citizenship. If the basis for obtaining it was an official marriage, then you can start the process after 3 years.

Acquiring a new status occurs through the process of naturalization

Automatic naturalization occurs only for children of citizens under 16 years of age. Adult applicants will have to collect a package of documents and go through a number of mandatory procedures.

Stages of naturalization

• The Green Card holder fills out the N-400 form and attaches an identification document.
• The application with a package of documents is sent to the local immigration office.
• The interview takes place in English.
• Taking an exam to test your knowledge of American history.
• The oath of allegiance is taken.

If the laws of your home country allow, you can maintain dual citizenship. But it is better to abandon this idea. Americans are suspicious of migrants who want to keep two passports.

Who will not receive citizenship

• Criminal offenses, and authorities treat drug law violators especially harshly.
• Serious crimes that show a lack of morality have no statute of limitations.
• Fraud when obtaining a green card.
• Non-payment of taxes.
• Evasion in some cases from military service.

Communists who were members of the relevant parties may be denied citizenship. A minimum of 10 years must pass from leaving the party to filing an application.

Green card validity period

Green cards are valid for the entire life of their holders. Every 10 years, the card must be changed, just like a passport or driver's license. The status of a green card holder does not disappear anywhere, even if the card itself has expired.

Despite the fact that a green card gives its owner a certain freedom of movement, there are a number of conditions under which it can be lost:

• staying outside the United States for more than 364 days;
• obtaining American citizenship;
• voluntary refusal of the card;
• a criminal offense or violation of immigration laws.

Instructions for filling out the participant form

If you are quite familiar with English (and where would those who are going to the USA be without it?), then download detailed instructions from the American Government website. It contains all the relevant information, so when filling out it is better to be guided by it. If your English is (yet) difficult, then you can use a translator - this is quite enough to understand the instructions.

In addition, you will need an electronic photograph measuring 51x51 mm (600x600 pixels) in JPEG format and weighing no more than 240 KB. Image from freepik.com.

When filling out the form, you must provide complete information about the lottery participant (Part One - Entrant Information):

1. First and last name . There is no need to indicate a middle name - this is not a Middle Name. We leave this column empty;
2. Floor;
3. Date and place of birth. Moreover, if you are submitting an application from a country other than your country of birth, then this must be indicated as a separate item;
4. Data from foreign and internal passports. The latter are indicated in the absence of a “foreigner” for compelling reasons. These reasons must also be specified. Although it is possible that this item will be missing in the new application form, since the mandatory presence of a foreign passport is a fresh innovation for 2021;
5. Photograph . Its absence or non-compliance with the requirements (they can also be found in the instructions at the link above) is a guaranteed failure option;
6. Postal address of your place of permanent residence, telephone and email for communication. You must indicate the address at which you are registered and/or live permanently, and not temporarily stay (for work, on vacation, for treatment, etc.);
7. The level of education . Only the highest degree you currently hold is indicated. Even if you receive your diploma in May - before the entry documents are processed - you cannot indicate it;
8. Marital status and number of children , including adopted ones. Only unmarried children under 21 years of age are indicated, including those who live separately and whom the applicant does not plan to take to the United States.

If you do not have a spouse or children, then filling out the form ends here. You submit your application for consideration and, crossing your fingers for luck, wait for the drawing to take place in the spring of next year. For applicants with a family and children, the second part must be filled out indicating complete information about the family. Here everything is done by analogy with the first part of the questionnaire.

When all the required items are completed (and filled out correctly), you will be redirected to a confirmation page where the participant identification number will be indicated. You can use it later to check the lottery results.

Winning the lottery does not relieve the winner from the need to obtain permits and undergo an interview. Image from freepik.com.

You are given 30 minutes to fill out the form; if you do not complete this period, you will have to start all over again. And remember - only Latin letters!