US visas: Green card lottery dates announced
September 15 2009 by Matt Jones
US visa lottery dates announced
The American government has announced the dates of the 2011 green card lottery.
Official dates for entry into the 2011 US green card lottery will be from October 2nd until November 30th 2009. During that time immigrants wanting to move to the US can visit the Department of State diversity visa website to access the required forms and make their submission. The forms will only become accessible during that period.
Every year, approximately 50,000 permanent residency American visas are granted to people who live in counties that have low US immigration rates in the annual green card lottery. The list of countries excluded from taking part in the lottery has not yet been released.
Those already in the US can apply for someone who is abroad as long as a digitized photo is provided. For the lucky ones who win a US visa, they can bring their spouses and unmarried children into America with them on the same visa.
Applicants to the lottery must meet a certain criteria. These criteria include having at least five years of high school education and two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training. All applicants that meet the criteria then go through a random selection process.
An application can be submitted by both spouses to increase the chances of winning the right to live and work in America permanently . No sponsorship or offer of employment is required to enter the green card lottery.
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