Check to see if you just won the Visa Lottery today. Generally speaking, gaining Green Card status in the US is a lengthy process, which can take years for foreign nationals to be approved for. However, the Visa Lottery is one way in which individuals can bypass traditional processes of approval to gain permanent residency in the US. While it does not guarantee automatic approval, it does assist with getting your foot in the door to kickstart the process of obtaining your green card.
How to obtain a green card in the US
To obtain lawful permanent residency in the US, otherwise referred to as ‘green card status’, hopeful applicants can choose a variety of pathways. Some of the most common routes to obtaining permanent residency include the following:
- Family-based green card
- Employment-based green card
- Refugee or asylee status
There are other ways to obtain permanent residency, with different procedures and eligibility requirements reserved for different routes of application. By obtaining a green card, you are able to live and work permanently in the US as well as kickstart the process of applying for US citizenship should you so desire.
“Having a Green Card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation,” describes the US Citizenship and Immigration services on their webiste.
Check 2025 Visa Lottery results
One of the more unconventional ways to achieve permanent residency status in the US is through the Visa Lottery. The program is run by the US Department of State and is used to encourage immigration to the US from individuals hailing from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the US. It is important to note, however, that winning the lottery does not guarantee you a green card. It merely provides you with the opportunity to apply for permanent residency. By doing this, you can then go on to apply for citizenship, whereby you can qualify to receive a number of additional benefits
To check your entry status, you must visit the US Department of State website, where you must enter the following information:
- The confirmation number you received when registering.
- Your last name exactly as you entered it in the registration.
- Your year of birth in four-digit format
- The authentication code is displayed on the page.
If you were a 2025 entrant, you had until September 30 of this year to check the status of your lottery entry. For 2026 entrants, you must keep your confirmation number until September 30, 2026, and continue to check the status of your entry throughout the year.
The road to citizenship after obtaining your green card
Once you achieve green card status in the US, you are able to access a range of benefits as you would if you were a citizen. Permanent residents are able to live and work in the US legally and permanently, study at US educational institutions, travel in and out of the US without a visa, sponsor other family members for green cards, and access social support benefit programs such as Social Security.
Social Security is the largest social support program in the US, supporting approximately 70 million beneficiaries, the majority of whom are retirees. However, the Administration is also responsible for supporting individuals who are on the Supplemental Security Income program, reserved for those with very little to no income or resources, as well as Disability benefits. Disability is reserved for those who are unable to earn an income due to a physical disability. Permanent residents are able to make contributions towards Social Security in order to secure their retirement.
Disclaimer: Our coverage of stimulus checks, tax reliefs, tax rebates, tax credits, and other payments is based on the official sources listed in the article. All payment amounts and dates, as well as eligibility requirements, are subject to change by the governing institutions. Always consult the official source we provide to stay up to date and obtain information for your decision-making.
