Immigration Quiz

DV-2010 Green Card Lottery Online Entry Begins on October 2, 2008

The DV-2010 Lottery online entry begins at Noon EDT on October 2, 2008, and ends at Noon EST on December 1, 2008. Information and instructions for the DV-2009 lottery will appear soon on the DOS website. Please check this web page at a later time for Diversity Visa information updates.

We will post the complete instructions once they become available. One of the most common issues that clients face when trying to apply from inside the US, is their legal status.

Can one apply for the Lottery if they are illegally residing in the US? Being illegal and being a visa lottery winner presents MAJOR problems. Unless you are eligible to adjust your status in the United States, under Section 245(i) of the law.

However, if you have been unlawfully present in the United States for more than 180 days since April 1st, 1997, you may be subject to either the three or ten year bars to returning to the United States. However, whether or not you are unlawfully present is a very complex subject. For example, if you entered the country without inspection, or you overstayed the date on your Form I-94, in most cases, you would be considered unlawfully present. However, if you were admitted to the US as a student or an exchange visitor (for duration of status), you probably have not accumulated any unlawful presence, and it would be safe to go abroad to claim your immigrant visa. More on the diversity lottery after October 2, 2008.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
Great immigration lawyer, very professional, knowledgeable and experienced. Jacob always answered my questions, e-mails and calls; great customer service from him and everybody at his office. I highly recommend Jacob, probably the best immigration lawyer out there. Plinio Franca
★★★★★
I trust you know how much all of us at the Spreckels Organ Society appreciate your incredible generosity in providing legal assistance with the visas required by the international artists last year during our International Summer Organ Festival. We consider it an honor that you and your firm provided this service, and were delighted to publicize your firm in our concert materials. George H.
★★★★★
That's good news on the approval of our 3 executive L1A visas. You fought a tough RFE, but we won. We are pleased to be working with you. KB is also bringing passports tomorrow again to the US Embassy in Tashkent for visa processing. We look forward to his arrival to the US. Sarvar
★★★★★
I wanted to thank again and again for obtaining my E1 Treaty Trader visa for me. The process was not easy, especially since our trade was all based on Technology. You knew the law, and was able to craft an outstanding file to be presented to Immigration. We are now ready to take the business to the next level. Toda Raba
★★★★★
Thanks for helping me with my marriage-based immigration case. You were very accessible - taking my calls, returning my messages and emails promptly. You answered all my questions. I was most impressed and relieved that you attended the immigration interview with me and my wife. You made the whole process streamline and simple. You really know your stuff, and you're a nice, friendly guy as well. Shane P.