The annual green card lottery program is an opportunity for potential immigrants to obtain status as a permanent legal resident of the U.S. The lottery program runs every year and provides green cards to applicants who are randomly selected. However, it is important to note that applicants must apply far in advance of the date they would like to actually enter the country. The current lottery winners will be able to enter the country in 2021. If you wish to apply for the next lottery, contact an immigration attorney and naturalization attorney in Rockville, Maryland.

Eligibility for the lottery program is limited for natives from certain countries. The eligible country list is posted with the guidelines for each year’s lottery application. A small percentage of applicants (less than one percent) will be selected to undergo the process, which includes detailed background checks. The State Department presently estimates that 55,000 green cards will be awarded as a result of the next lottery.

Immigrants from the following countries are excluded from the green card lottery:

- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- Canada
- China
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- South Korea
- United Kingdom (other than Northern Ireland)
- Vietnam