What Caused the Deadline Change?

In Public Notice 12558 in the Federal Register, the U.S. government inadvertently used data from the previous year as the basis for this year’s Green Card Lottery, leading to outdated references and an incorrect end date in official documents.

Given the Federal Register’s role as the authoritative source for official data, these errors could open grounds for potential legal claims, prompting authorities to adjust the deadline to November 7 to ensure accuracy.

Without a formal announcement, this change appeared on official channels less than a week before the prior deadline, on October 29, creating uncertainty among applicants worldwide. This incident underscores the importance of accuracy in managing an international immigration program and highlights the vital role clear communication plays in supporting aspiring immigrants.

Extended Deadline: A Welcome Relief for Applicants

The American Dream, Europe's leading government-licensed immigration consultancy, welcomes the extension and urges all applicants to take advantage of this unexpected window of opportunity. The agency's Green Card consultants are ready to assist clients with any last-minute preparations and ensure that all applications meet US guidelines to avoid disqualification.

Lessons from Past Errors: “Deadlinegate” and the Importance of Reliable Information

This surprising adjustment isn’t the first notable misstep in the lottery’s history. In 2011, a technical glitch led to a flawed lottery draw that disproportionately favored applicants who entered on the first two days. The system had to be reset and rerun, causing disappointment for thousands who thought they had won. In 2021, the announcement of the winners was delayed by a month due to global challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

These events highlight the lottery’s vulnerability to logistical hiccups that can create confusion and affect applicants’ hopes of winning a U.S. Green Card. For those participating in this once-a-year opportunity, adherence to rules and reliable, transparent communication is paramount.

The Green Card Lottery: A Lifeline to the American Dream

For millions of people worldwide, the Diversity Visa Lottery is a unique opportunity to gain a U.S. residence and work permit. For many, this program is their only viable pathway to permanent residency. The stakes are high: a single error can ripple out to impact applicants worldwide, many of whom only have limited resources or time to dedicate to administrative tasks.

With “only” a deadline extension to navigate this year, all eligible applicants are encouraged to take advantage of this rare opportunity. The American Dream is ready to support and guide applicants, ensuring they submit complete, accurate applications on time.

About The American Dream

Since 1996, The American Dream's government-licensed immigration consultants have been helping with all matters relating to the USA as a destination, e.g., applying for the Green Card Lottery and planning immigration, applying for business or tourist visas, or sending employees to the USA.
The American Dream has already supported over 21,000 US immigrants on their way to the Green Card.

Contact

The American Dream - US GreenCard Service GmbH
Berlin office: Danckelmannstr. 9, 14059 Berlin, Germany, phone: +49-30-511 0 511
New York office: The American Dream, 1345 Ave of the Americas, 2nd floor TAD, New York, NY 10105, USA

Press contact:

Holger Zimmermann
[email protected]
www.the-american-dream.com