Key info about the green card lottery

Here are the essential things to know about the upcoming DV-2022 green card lottery, during which 50,000 people can get green cards. For more information, go to bit.ly/2SfhVEk.

When does registration for the lottery begin?

Online registration for the DV-2022 green card lottery begins at noon on Oct. 7 (Eastern Time) and ends at noon on Nov. 10.

Which countries’ natives are eligible to enter this year?

Natives of all countries qualify except Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nig e r i a , Pa k i s t a n , P h i l - ippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam.

Persons born in Macau SAR and Taiwan are eligible. In changes from last year’s lottery, natives of Peru may enter, but natives of Guatemala and Honduras may not. You may enter if you are married to a native of an included country even if your country is on the excluded list.

How come, year after year, my home country is left off the lottery eligibility list?

A country’s nationals are not eligible for the lottery if 50,000 individuals or more have immigrated from that country over the previous five years.

If I win the lottery, can my family immigrate with me?

Your spouse and unmarried children under age 21 can get green cards when you win the lottery no matter where they were born.

Are there other requirements?

Yes. You must have at least a U.S. high school degree or its equivalent. Additionally, you must have worked (within the past five years) at a job for at least two years in which two years training or experience was required.

If I am in the United States without lawful status and I win the lottery, can I get a green card?

Usually, no. If you win the lottery, you need to travel home to get your immigrant visa. If you have been in the U.S. more than 180 days, you may face the

“unlawful presence” bar and not be allowed to return for three years.

A lottery win is good for one year only. The law provides for a limited waiver of the three-year bar, but you would unlikely be able to get the waiver before your right to a green card expired.

Allan Wernick is an attorney and director of the City University of New York’s Citizenship Now! project. Send questions and comments to Allan Wernick, New York Daily News, 7th Fl., 4 New York Plaza, New York, N.Y., 10004 or email to questions@allanwernick.com . Follow him on Twitter @awernick.