Post by : Rameen Ariff

Indian citizens have been officially barred from participating in the US Green Card lottery until at least 2028, marking a pivotal moment for those seeking to establish permanent residency in the United States. The Diversity Visa (DV) lottery, more commonly referred to as the US Green Card lottery, aims to diversify the immigrant landscape by selecting candidates from countries that traditionally experience low immigration levels. With India surpassing the eligibility threshold due to a substantial influx of immigrants in recent years, Indian nationals can no longer take part in this program.

Recent data emphasizes the significant migration trends from India to the US. In 2021, over 93,000 individuals relocated from India to the United States, followed by 127,010 in 2022—numbers that exceed the total migrants from South America, Africa, and Europe combined. As of 2023, more than 78,000 Indians have immigrated, solidifying their ineligibility for the US Green Card lottery through 2028. Other nations, including China, South Korea, Canada, and Pakistan, are also excluded from the 2026 DV lottery, underscoring the program's intent to enhance diversity within US immigration.

With the Green Card lottery now unavailable, Indian nationals face limited alternatives for securing permanent residency in the US. Options include transitioning an H-1B work visa to a green card, pursuing investment-related immigration, obtaining family sponsorship, or seeking asylum. However, these pathways have become increasingly complex under the current US immigration policies, leaving many hopeful applicants and their employers in a state of uncertainty. The closure of the lottery serves as another impediment to the long-term immigration aspirations of Indian citizens.

The ongoing immigration restrictions initiated during the Trump administration have further muddied the waters for Indians and other foreigners. Increased scrutiny surrounding student visas, mandatory social media checks, and extensive vetting processes have made visa acquisition more challenging. Applicants are subject to rigorous evaluations to determine if they pose a potential threat to the US or have previously engaged in political activism. This tightening of immigration regulations has made it progressively difficult to obtain permanent residency without the Green Card lottery.

Experts suggest that India's exclusion from the US Green Card lottery underscores an urgent need for alternative immigration pathways. Companies dependent on skilled Indian professionals must shift their focus towards H-1B visa conversions or investment-based immigration opportunities, while families wishing to sponsor relatives may endure longer waiting times. Although the Green Card lottery has historically offered a simpler route for many Indians, its cessation reflects the evolving landscape of US immigration, narrowing the opportunities for permanent residency.

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