The US Green Card Lottery Program, known as DV (Diversity Visa) Lottery program, is a good opportunity for potential immigrants to obtain the status as a permanent legal resident of the USA. You may apply by yourself at the U.S. Department of State website, if you wish. This program runs each year and provides 50,000 "Green Cards" to applicants randomly selected in a lottery process.
GREEN CARD THROUGH RELATIVES
You may apply for a Green Card if you have a close family member who is a United States citizen by birth or through naturalization.
FAMILY BASED GREEN CARD GUIDE
Learn how to go about getting a Green Card if you have a close family member who is a United States citizen by birth or through naturalization or has a green card.
Instant PDF Download ($49)
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must have a relative who:
Is a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
Is willing to sponsor you for lawful permanent residence
Can prove that they can support you by showing that their income is 125% above the poverty line for their family, including you and all other
Sponsor
As a U.S. citizen, you may petition for the following foreign national relatives to immigrate to the U.S.:
Husband or wife
Unmarried child under 21
Unmarried son or daughter over 21
Married son or daughter of any age
Brother or sister, if you are at least 21 years old
Parents, if you are at least 21 years old
Application Process
Filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is the first step to attaining a green card. A U.S. citizen residing in America or a legal permanent resident can file the application for you, but you may petition for a green card without the sponsorship of an American citizen.
Supporting Documents
The supporting documents required for filing the petition include:
a completed and signed application for green card and alien registration form
two recent color photographs
a valid passport
proof of medical examination
birth certificate
marriage certificate, if applicable
divorce or death certificate, if applicable
Victims of Family Violence
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) allows abused family members to seek a green card without a support petition by their abuser.
The victim should explain how the abuser's conduct impacted her quality of life or ability to function. The victim can apply from outside the U.S. if she can demonstrate that she was the victim of domestic violence in the United States.
