How To Confirm Your Green Card Selection Status

For many, obtaining a Green Card is an important step toward building a life in the United States.

The Green Card selection process can be lengthy and filled with anticipation.

One of the most common questions during this journey is: “How do I confirm my Green Card selection status?”

This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to navigate Green Card selection status confirmation and understand the processing timelines involved.

The portal for the Diversity Visa program, managed by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, went live on Saturday, May 4. This enables applicants to verify whether they have been selected for the program or not.

How to confirm your Green Card selection status

The road to obtaining a Green Card can be lengthy, but understanding Green Card selection status confirmation and processing times can alleviate stress and help you plan for the future.

Remember, the official government websites are your most reliable source of information.

By familiarizing yourself with the methods for confirming your Green Card selection status and the factors influencing processing times, you can navigate this journey with greater ease.

Confirming Your Selection Status

The method for confirming your Green Card selection depends on how you applied:

1. Diversity Visa Lottery (DV Lottery):

The DV Lottery is an annual program offering a limited number of Green Cards to individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the US.

Here’s how to check your DV Lottery selection status:

• Timing: Results for the DV Lottery are typically available between May and September of the following year you applied. For example, results for the DV-2025 Lottery (applications submitted in October 2023) were available on May 4, 2024.
• Website: The only way to check your selection status is through the Entrant Status Check website: Diversity Visa Program Selection of Applicants.
• Information Needed: You’ll need your confirmation number, year of birth, and last name used during the application.
• Important Note: The Department of State will not notify you via email, mail, or phone calls. Be wary of scams that claim otherwise.

2. Other Green Card Applications:

If you applied through a method other than the DV Lottery, you’ll use a different system depending on your application location:

• Applying Within the US: Use the USCIS Case Status Online tracker: USCIS Case Status Online. You’ll need your receipt number to check the status.
• Applying Outside the US: Use the National Visa Center’s (NVC) Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC): National Visa Center CEAC. You’ll need your immigrant visa case number to check the status.

What to Do After Selection (DV Lottery)

If you’re selected in the DV Lottery, the Entrant Status Check website will provide further instructions.

This typically involves completing the online DS-260 application to formally apply for the Green Card and scheduling an interview at a US Embassy or Consulate.

Tips on following your application:

• It’s advisable to check your Green Card selection status regularly during the designated result window.
• Bookmark the official websites mentioned above to avoid fraudulent ones.
• If you encounter difficulties checking your status, consider contacting USCIS or the NVC directly for assistance.

Green Card Processing Times

Green card processing times vary depending on several factors, including:

• Application Type: Different Green Card categories have different processing timelines. Employment-based Green Cards tend to be faster compared to family-based ones.
• Current Workload: USCIS and the NVC experience fluctuating workloads, impacting processing times.
• Your Background: Security checks and background investigations can affect processing timelines.

Here’s a general idea of Green Card processing times (subject to change):

• DV Lottery: The selection process is completed within a few months after the application window closes. However, the actual Green Card processing after selection can take 12–18 months.
• Employment-Based Green Cards: Processing times generally range from 6 months to 2 years.
• Family-Based Green Cards: Processing times can vary significantly, often taking 1-3 years or even longer.

Receiving Your Green Card After Approval

Once your Green Card application is approved, you’ll receive an approval notice from USCIS.

The timeline for receiving your physical Green Card after approval can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

Tips for Expediting the Process:

• Respond promptly to any requests for additional information from USCIS or the NVC.
• Ensure your mailing address is accurate and up-to-date with the relevant agency.
• Consider contacting USCIS or the NVC for case inquiries only after a reasonable waiting period beyond the estimated processing times.