© Copyright Green Card 2005 |
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 What happens in case I do not want to settle immediately in the United States? |
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The advantages offered by the GreenCard remain acquired for the rest of your life. In case success, you shall stay in the United-States at least once within the year following the obtaining of your GreenCard, but in case you do not wish it, you do not have to stay a long time. After this stay, you will always be authorized to leave the United-States, but the length of your absence should not exceed the limit of 365 days at each time (it is possible to make exceptions so that you may stay in your country even for 2 years or more, without being obliged to go back to the United-States. The GreenCard remains valid.
Among all immigration issues, you will of course have to respect the laws concerning immigration. We shall be very pleased to provide you with all necessary advice and assure you about our complete assistance throughout this process if you are among the winners. |
| May I take part in this program if I am already registered in another category of visa application? |
| Of course!! Your present status has no influence on your taking part in the draw.
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| Is there another possibility of obtaining the GreenCard? |
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Usually, it is almost impossible to get a GreenCard, unless you have the possibility of investing 150 000 € in a firm set up in the United-States or if you have relatives living there. But, even in that case, the procedure may take several years (the waiti ng time for children having attained their majority is presently 2 years, for brothers and sisters of American citizens, it is more than 10 years). Thus, when you apply for a visa with a work permit, you must produce evidence to the American authorities that you are not taking the job of an American citizen qualified for the same job. This method is not very reliable, and requires from your potential employer in the United-States to lodge an expensive request with the Department of Labor which approval may take up to 2 years (if ever it is approved!).
Of course, you may also marry an American citizen, but you incur the risk of a severe punishment, or even a prison sentence, if the American authorities state the fact that you got married for other reasons than for love feelings.
For people who do not have petitioners in the United-States, the GreenCard obtaining is virtually impossible, unless through the Diversity Visa Program.
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| How is GreenCard winners selection performed? |
| All persons taking part get their own application number from the National Visa Center in New-Hampshire. After the registration deadline, a selection by drawing lots achieved by a computer of the State Department determines the winners. By and large, 55 000 candidates and their spouses and children will be registered. In the case of change of address, please let us know in order that we may contact you if you are listed among the winners. |
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| How shall I manage to know if I won a GreenCard? |
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Whether the results are positive or negative, you will always receive the results at home, by mail at the address you gave us at the time of your registration. In case you move, you may give us your new address by phone and your file will immediately be updated.
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| Why 100 000 people are selected, and only 55 000 get the GreenCard? |
| Because among these 100 000 people, there are approximately 20 000 people who are not found (have left without giving a forwarding address), others who are not able to give any proof of their high school diploma or professional background, others who have infectious diseases, or others who have been in jail. In the end, 55 000 people and their family get the GreenCard every year. |
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| Is there a minimum age to take part in the drawing lots? |
| There is no minimum age to take part in this program, but the school level and/or the professional background required, disqualify most people who are under 18 years. |
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| What is the reason for a sweepstake for GREEN CARDS issue? |
| The “Diversity Visa” Program offers an opportunity to immigrate into the USA to people coming from countries which population is presently insufficiently represented in the United-States. The American Government fixes its choices of eligible countries or not according to the total of immigrants during the last 5 years, including in particular the family reunifications of people already living in the USA and Work Permits. |
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| Do people already living in the USA may take part in this Program? |
Yes, particularly for people who have a short visa, a student or work visa for a limited length of time.
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