Q: Does entering the diversity VISA lottery really make it more difficult to get a non-immigrant VISA?
I've already had a student VISA since 2013 but it expires July 2018, when my 4-year degree should be completed. I had planned on extended studies, up to doctoral level which is now unlikely, but because of my school plans changing I might be trapped in my home country's hostile environment. I want to wait to file for asylum as a last resort, since it looks like I could be deported if I lost, even before my education was completed. I might take out a loan and come back to the U.S. in a graduate program but am concerned the DV will make it difficult. I never entered before and can't remember if my Visa application asked about intent to immigrate.
A: It is a question of intent. If you apply for a diversity visa, you are signaling your intent to immigrate to the US. If you apply for a nonimmigrant visa, you are signaling an intent to remain in the US for a limited time. For the latter you have to show your connections to your country of origin, and an application to immigrate to the US weight heavily against returning to your country of origin.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
