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GreenCard Lotterie DV-2013 – Less applications than in the previous years

The green card process is very exciting for all applicants. Most of you dream about living in the US and starting a new life there. Everyone wants to win and everyone nervously waits for the announcement of the winners.

Did you know that the U.S. authorities received fewer applications this year than they did last year? We do not know if that is only due to the fact that Bangladesh was not eligible, but actually, the reason is not that important. For all green card applicants it means that the chances of winning are much higher this year!

The three countries that submitted the most applications this year were Nigeria (1,36 million, Ghana (909.000) and Ukraine (853.000).

Our fingers are crossed for all of you!

Publication of a new Employment Authorization Card

Since October 25th 2011 the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) is handing out new documents to people, who applied for an employment authorization document (EAD).

The new employment authorization document dispose of more security details than the previous cards and the high safety standards are supposed to reduce the fraud associated with paper documentation. Furthermore it should be easier to check the working permit of foreign employees.

Asylum seeker, refugees and family members of holders of an E or L visa can apply for the employment authorization document and start working in the US – regardless of their spouse. The authorization will be issued for 2 years and an extension of another 2 years might be granted - to a maximum length of the duration of the stay of the spouse.

For now, the old EAD cards remain valid. Only after the application of a new EAD card is made and approved by the USCIS, the new card will be issued.

The application for a general work permit and its extension or renewal in case of loss has to be made by the USCIS with form I-765.

The USCIS expects about 1 million people to apply for the EAD within the next year