<p>When I applied for admission to US colleges in the fall I also applied for the DV-2008 diversity immigration program just for the heck of it. Today I got a letter saying that I am eligible to apply for a diversity visa (I am one of 100,000 individuals selected to receive 55,000 visas). As much as I would like to get a green card, I am afraid that applying for a green card might interfere with my application for a student visa. I would not be allowed to enter the States with the green card (if I got one) before October and that would be too late to enroll for the fall semester. Aslo, if I return the questionaire and end up NOT getting a green card, I might be stuck with no student visa too. What I mean is that it is impossible to prove that you don't intend to stay in the States when your record says that you are in the process of applying for a green card.
What do you guys think?</p>
<p>Don't apply for the green card.</p>
<p>You can always defer enrollment for one year. Explain the situation to your college - maybe they'll allow you to start college in October. It's not easy to get the green card even if you come from a country whose annual quota is generally not filled. For instance, even after graduation, you'll have to wait atleast 3-4 years before getting the green card. On the other hand, a green card will open a number of options for you at the university level. Plus it will probably be easier for you to finance your education due to the lack of work restrictions and availability of Federal Pell grants, etc.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you don't get the green card, you might not be able to enter the US at all through a student visa since your application for the green card will count as an intent to immigrate.</p>
<p>My advice - don't take the green card if you are sure that this diversity lottery application won't interfere with your student visa. You might have to wait a little longer, but atleast you'll know you won't be barred from studying in the US. </p>
<p>Though how the hell will you get a student visa now that you have applied for the green card. Won't the application for the diversity lottery itself count as an intent to immigrate?</p>
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Though how the hell will you get a student visa now that you have applied for the green card. Won't the application for the diversity lottery itself count as an intent to immigrate?
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To be honest, I completely forgot about the DV application until I got the letter today. Well, I guess not continuing the application process for the diversity visa should be proof enough that I have no immediate intent of immigrating.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I might never get the chance for a green card again and I am at least considering staying in the States after finishing my undergraduate degree. A green card would make things so much easier: I could work off-campus and do internships without the restrictions of OPT; I could apply for scholarships; I could get a credit card and student loans without a co-signer; I could transfer if a women's college turns out to be a bad choice (intl transfers are not eligible for fin aid at 99.9% of all colleges); and I could easily decide to stay and work in the States after graduation. </p>
<p>I will contact my college and try to contact the Department of State and see what they say.</p>
<p>Talk to the International office (Usually a dedicated office to handling international student issues) of the University you're planning to attend.</p>
<p>Run it by them, but you should utilize the opportunity.</p>
<p>I would give so much to be in your shoes, bud. I'd take the green card in a snap. It'd make college way, WAY less expensive and allow me to live and work in a country I love with the amazing people I've met. Take the visa -- you won't regret it.</p>
<p>What nationality are you, btw?</p>
<p>I am German.</p>
<p>Someone in another forum said that my case number is so high that I will most likely have to wait until 2008 to get an interview appointment. I will probably end up gambling with time: I think the best I can do is to wait until I get my student visa before applying for a green card. I would run the risk of replying too late to get a green card interview, but my top priority is to attend college this fall. I don't want to postpone enrollment for a year to find out that I am ineligible for a green card for some stupid reason.</p>