Do Diversity Visa Lottery Winners Need Affidavit Of Support With Green Card Application Is Affidavit (2024)

Do Diversity Visa Lottery Winners Need Affidavit Of Support With Green Card Application Is Affidavit (1)


How can diversity visa lottery winners show that they will not need to rely on need-based public assistance in the U.S., in order to avoid being denied U.S. lawful permanent residence (a green card)?

By Ilona Bray , J.D. University of Washington School of LawUpdated 11/19/2023

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People who win the diversity visa lottery are not, contrary to popular belief, given a green card (U.S. lawful permanent residence) automatically. They first need to meet various qualifications and go through an additional application process. As part of this, they must show that they will not become what’s known as a “public charge” (this is, have to rely on need-based public assistance or welfare.) Overcoming this ground of inadmissibility can be a challenge for people who are, for instance, currently in school or unemployed, or who simply don’t earn enough to support themselves in the United States.

  • How Do U.S. Visa Lottery Applicants Show They Won’t Need Public Assistance?
  • Financial Documents Required of DV Lottery Winners
  • Tips for Students and Unemployed DV Lottery Visa Applicants
  • Getting Legal Help

How Do U.S. Visa Lottery Applicants Show They Won’t Need Public Assistance?

The U.S. government has a specific idea of how much money someone needs to live in the United States without requiring government assistance. Your income or assets must be enough to support you, as well as members of your household moving to the U.S. with you, at 100% or more of the current Poverty Guidelines. See the http://www.uscis.gov page containing Form I-864P for the exact figures, which are updated annually (usually in an upward direction).

Even if you meet this income/assets amount, however, you can be deemed a public charge if your overall financial, employment, and health situation suggest that you won’t be self-supporting in the long term.

Financial Documents Required of DV Lottery Winners

The good news is that, unlike family visa applicants, Diversity Visa Lottery (“DV Lottery”) winners do not need to file an I-864 Affidavit of Support in order to apply for permanent residence.

They will nevertheless need to demonstrate to U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the U.S. Department of State (DOS) that they will not become a public charge during their time in the United States. The ways you might do this include:

  • demonstrating that you have or will have sufficient income (based on an existing job or a job offer) plus other assets, to support yourself once you are granted U.S. lawful permanent residence, or
  • having a friend or relative who has legal status in the U.S. complete Form I-134, Affidavit of Support and agree to sponsor you during your time in the United States. For more information on this, see Filling Out Form I-134, Affidavit of Support to Help a U.S. Visa Applicant.

“Assets” means property like investments, savings, and real estate (so long as they can be easily converted to cash). So, if you don’t have a current income, showing a source of wealth or cash can help your application for a U.S. green card.

If family members are planning to immigrate you to the U.S. (you being the main DV lottery winner), they must also be listed on the Form I-134 as accompanying you. What’s more, the income and assets listed on Form I-134 must be enough to cover them, too.

Tips for Students and Unemployed DV Lottery Visa Applicants

If you are currently unemployed, you should gather as much documentation as possible to show that you either have enough assets to avoid relying on public assistance in the United States or will have a higher income soon. This evidence can include:

  • letters from banks and financial institutions where you have funds on deposit, showing the value of your accounts in U.S. dollars
  • copies of documents showing that you have other sources of income, such as from stocks and other investments or royalties.
  • copies of titles and deeds for vehicles, residences, as well as receipts for appliances, electronics, or any big ticket items you own, and
  • a job offer letter from a U.S. employer, on company letterhead.

Also, if you are currently attending college or a vocational training program, make a copy of your school diploma once you receive it and send it to USCIS or show it to the consular officer. This should help demonstrate your employability. Keep in mind that it can be expensive to relocate permanently to the U.S., especially when you do not have an employment or credit history.

Getting Legal Help

Winning the DV Lottery can be a great thing, but it is not a guarantee of a green card. The U.S. government picks more winners each year than it has green cards available, so just getting through the process in a timely manner can be critical. For more information, see articles about Diversity Visa Lottery Green Cards. An experienced immigration attorney can help you navigate this often-complicated process.

Do Diversity Visa Lottery Winners Need Affidavit Of Support With Green Card Application Is Affidavit (2024)

FAQs

Is an Affidavit of support required for a DV lottery? ›

If by “I won the green card selection”, you mean you have been selected in the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery, an I-134 non-binding affidavit of support is not mandatory.

Do DV lottery winners need a sponsor? ›

Diversity Visa (“DV”) applicants do not need a sponsor, such as an employer or immediate family member in the United States, nor are they required to provide an Affidavit of Support.

Is Affidavit of support still required? ›

An Affidavit of Support is legally enforceable. The sponsor's financial responsibility usually lasts until the applicant either becomes a U.S. citizen, or can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work (usually 10 years) under the Social Security Act.

How many affidavits for green card? ›

We advise that you submit three to six affidavits, received from different people with different kinds of relationships with the couple. The more affidavits you submit, the better your chances of convincing the USCIS officer that your marriage is real.

How much money is needed for Affidavit of support? ›

I-864P, 2024 HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support
Sponsor's Household Size100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines*125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines*
For sponsors on active duty in the U.S. armed forces who are petitioning for their spouse or childFor all other sponsors
2$19,720$24,650
3$24,860$31,075
4$30,000$37,500
5 more rows
Mar 1, 2024

Can you be denied visa after winning the DV Lottery? ›

Being selected in the DV Lottery does not guarantee you will receive a visa.

Is there a way to increase chances of winning DV Lottery? ›

How to increase your chances of being selected. Given that the Diversity Visa program is based on a random selection process, there is no way to ensure your selection. Remember that millions apply for each lottery, but only a maximum of 55,000 will win.

What are the disadvantages of DV Lottery? ›

At its most serious, a Lottery visa denial can lead to a permanent bar from the United States. For many, winning the Lottery presents the only realistic ticket to immigrate: without a close relative or job offer in the US or special talents or wealth, the avenues for immigration to the United States are nearly closed.

What are the risks of an Affidavit of support? ›

You bear more responsibility on the immigrant as a sponsor. If the unexpected happens, you may be faced with fines and lawsuits. Before you sign an Affidavit of Support, speak with an immigration attorney for free evaluation of your specific situation and how best to prepare for any undesirable outcome.

Who fills out the Affidavit of support? ›

The petitioner/financial sponsor must complete and sign the appropriate Affidavit of Support form. Incomplete forms, including those missing pages, will not be accepted. The completed forms and supporting documents must be submitted in CEAC to NVC with the visa applicant's civil documents.

What is the Affidavit of support for b2 visa? ›

What is an Affidavit of Support? A Form I-134 affidavit of support serves as a visa applicant's evidence of sponsorship, or evidence that the applicant has financial support and will not become a public charge of the United States.

What to do after winning the Diversity lottery? ›

If you're in the United States in a temporary immigration status (technically known as “non-immigrant status”) when you win the Diversity Visa lottery, you'll apply for a green card through United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by filing Form I-485.

How much bank balance is required for a DV Lottery? ›

As part of your visa application, you will have to prove that you are unlikely to become dependent on the U.S. government for your living expenses. There is no specific amount of money you must prove you have. The consular officer will consider the totality of your circumstances during your visa interview.

How to increase chances of getting a green card? ›

Close family members of U.S. citizens and highly skilled workers have the best chance of obtaining U.S. lawful permanent residence.
  1. family relationships with U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
  2. job offers from a U.S. employer, and.
  3. the diversity visa lottery.

What things are required for DV lottery? ›

Notice to DV-2024 Applicants
  • Birth Certificates. ...
  • Court and Prison Records. ...
  • Military Records. ...
  • Police Certificates. ...
  • Photocopy of Valid Passport Biographic Data Page.

Is I 134 required for DV lottery? ›

(Note: Although Form I-134 is usually reserved for use with temporary visas, and the Form I-864 is usually used with applications for green cards, the DV lottery visa application process uses Form I-134.) Form I-134 must be filled out by someone who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

What documents are required for a DV lottery interview? ›

You may also be required to provide evidence of work and education requirements, marriage certificates, marriage termination documentation, and custody documentation. Your original documents will be returned to you when the interview has been completed. The photocopies will be kept.

What are the requirements for DV lottery 2024? ›

In addition to the nationality requirements, applicants must possess at least a high school diploma or its equivalent; or two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.

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