Is it possible to get a green card from the US after winning the Visa Lottery?

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Is it possible to get a green card from the US after winning the Visa Lottery?

I won the Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery, my 6 months period of
staying here expired on January 2015 and I want to go through the
process from here? Is that possible?

Asked on May 24, 2016 under Immigration Law, Illinois

Answers:

SB Member California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 7 years ago | Contributor

Unfortunately, if you are already out of status and unlawfully present in the US, you are not eligible to adjust status within the US if you are selected in the diversity visa lottery.  Once you are out of status for more than 1 year, if you leave the US to consular process, you will be subject to an automatic 10 year bar to reentry.  The only way you can adjust status within the US once you are out of status and unlawfully present is through a bona fide marriage to a US citizen.


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