Israel & The Green Card Lottery

Overview

USA is among the few countries that encourage a large number
of immigrants each year from around the world to live and
work there, consequently implementing the Green Card Lottery,
through which an Israeli citizen can win a visa to live and work in the US.
If you are Israeli and you want to be one of the people winning
the permanent residence visa to the USA, this article will help you
understand the procedures to apply for a green card through the
official Diversity Visa Program.

What is the Green Card Lottery?

The Green Card Lottery formally known as the Diversity Visa Program
was introduced by the US Department of State for the purpose of
providing an opportunity to immigrants who wish to live and work
permanently in US.
One of the main purposes behind the program is to add diversity
among US citizens.
The green card program randomly grants 55,000 visas each year
to the green card lottery winners of the candidates belonging
to the countries eligible to apply who submitted a valid
diversity visa application.

Eligibility of Israel for the Green Card Program

As the official DV program restricts the countries that have sent
more than 50,000 immigrants in the last five years from being
included in the current green card lottery, only countries that
have had low rates of immigration during the past 5 years are
eligible to apply for the Green Card Lottery.
For that reason, the natives of Israel can apply for the Green Card
through the Diversity Visa Program and get their chance to
live and work permanently in the USA and bring along a spouse
and any children under the age of 21 years.
Israel has always been on the list of eligible countries since
the green card lottery started with 99 visas granted to Israeli
citizens in the last diversity visa program alone.

Non Immigrant Visa Alternatives

Non-immigrant visas grant you access to the US for a limited
period of time depending on the type of visa you have, it could
be either one of the 60 types available which can be obtained
easily as compared to the green card.
For example, the Student Exchange (J1 Visa), Temporary Work (H1 Visa),
business and tourism (B1 and B2 Visa) are common types of visas.

Background to the relationship between Israel and USA

The US expressed its commitment to Israel's security and
well-being since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948,
and has devoted a considerable share of its worldwide economy and
security assistance to Israel.
As vibrant democracies, both Israel and the US recognize the
freedom of speech, right of assembly, worship and the rule of law.
The two countries remain committed to fighting terrorism since 9/11
and have been promoting political negotiations as a path to peace.

Immigration from Israel to the USA

Israelis started immigrating to US soon after Israel's declaration
of independence in 1948.
The next wave of immigration began in the mid-1970s and has continued
ever since. Several key factors contributed to increased Israeli
immigration into the USA during the last two decades with political
unrest in the Middle East and the relative insecurity of the region,
being the primary reason.
The number of immigrants rose dramatically shortly after the Yom Kippur
War in 1973. Many Israelis immigrate to America through prominent
educational & research positions offered to them in leading academic
institutes in the US or through business relocation that takes place
through their work places.

Settlements of Israelis in America

The states with the largest Israeli settlements in the US include
New York, California, Michigan, Florida and Illinois, with significant
Israeli communities concentrated around New York and Los Angeles,
which are also major Jewish centers.

If you are Israeli and would like to have your chance to permanently
live & work in the USA, apply today for the Green Card Lottery
in order to get your chance to win the upcoming lottery.