Additional Steps You Should Take After Applying for the Green Card Lottery

Applying for the green card lottery does not guarantee you will be chosen to receive a green card. When you enter the DV Lottery applicants are selected at random for green card status and the only way to increase your chances of winning is if both you and your spouse apply. For this reason, there are additional steps you should take to apply for green card status.


Once you apply for the green card lottery it is wise to proceed with the green card process to ensure all of your options remain open. Applying for a green card can be complex or it can be a relatively simple process depending on what your options are. Also, the steps you take in the green card process may vary however here are a few of the common steps you will go through after applying for the green card lottery.


Immigrant Petition


An immigrant petition is commonly used to obtain a green card and is filed by a designated party on behalf of the individual trying to achieve green card status. The petition can be filed by a company if you have secured employment in the United States or it can be filed by your spouse in an effort to help you become a permanent resident of the US.


Once the petition is filed then there is a waiting period while the document is carefully reviewed. This is why you should pursue this option after applying for the green card lottery.The criteria for review may vary according to your situation but as a general rule there is a defined set of criteria when the review takes place.


In certain situations the individual may file the petition on his own behalf. This is a possibility when the individual has certain professional skills which are highly in demand with US companies or they are an accomplished entrepreneur that will create jobs for other individuals.


Visa Availability


Once the approval process is complete for the immigrant petition your case will be forwarded to the National Visa Center. The purpose of the National Visa Center is to continue processing immigrant petition faster they have been approved by the USCIS or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services organization. Once the petition is processed by USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security holds on to the petition in preparation for the adjudication process.


Adjudication Process


During the adjudication process when you apply for green card status the Department of State issues an immigrant visa number so you can continue to apply for Adjustment of Status or Immigrant Visa. Adjustment of Status is used if you are already in the United States but if you are living overseas you should apply for an Immigrant Visa with the consulate in the country where you reside.


It is also important to mention that immigrant visa numbers are limited to a certain number per year according to the laws in the United States. So even if your petition is approved you may not be able to obtain an immigrant visa number until the following year if the quota has been reached. Meanwhile you can check your status with the green card lottery and depending upon the green card process you are pursuing you may have additional steps which are required to achieve green card status