The Irish immigration lottery, also known as the Irish Green Card lottery, is a program run by the Irish government that allows a limited number of people to immigrate to Ireland each year. The lottery is a way for people from countries with low rates of immigration to Ireland to have a chance to move there.
How the Irish Immigration Lottery Works
The Irish immigration lottery is held once a year. To enter, you must submit an online application during the registration period, which usually runs from early October to early November for the following year’s lottery. There is no cost to submit an application.
Entrants are selected at random by a computerized drawing. Only the first 50,000 applications are entered into the lottery. If you are selected, you can apply for permanent residence in Ireland, which allows you to live and work there indefinitely.
Each year, around 5,000 applicants are selected through the lottery. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 can also move with the principal applicant. Diversity visas are allotted to natives of countries that have sent fewer than 10,000 immigrants to Ireland over the past 5 years. No single country can receive more than 7% of the available diversity visas in one year.
Eligibility for the Irish Immigration Lottery
To be eligible for the Irish immigration lottery, you must:
- Be a native of a qualifying country – most countries qualify, except those that have sent substantial numbers of immigrants to Ireland in recent years
- Have a high school education or equivalent work experience
- Have no criminal record
In addition, you must submit your application during the designated registration period and complete it accurately. Only one entry per person is allowed. Your spouse can submit a separate application, and you can each enter on behalf of your children under 21.
The Irish Immigration Lottery Application Process
Applying for the Irish immigration lottery involves the following steps:
- Check that you are from an eligible country and meet the education and criminal record requirements
- Fill out the online application form when registration opens, providing your name, birthdate, contact information, and photo
- If selected, submit supporting documents to verify your identity, education, and relationship to dependents
- Attend your visa interview at the Irish consulate or embassy
- Get medical exams and apply for Irish police clearance
- Travel to Ireland before your diversity visa expires to complete processing
The entire process from entry to arrival in Ireland can take over a year, so it’s important to act promptly once notified of your selection.
Irish Immigration Lottery Selection Process
All qualified lottery entries are selected at random by computer. The first 50,000 applications are entered into the lottery. Spouses and children can be included on an application but do not increase your chances of being picked.
If your application is selected, you will be notified by email between May and July of the year following your application. You will be given instructions on how to continue the application process.
Even if you are selected, further documentation and verification is required before you are issued a diversity visa. You must act quickly to submit forms and attend a visa interview within the designated timeframe.
Around 100,000 applicants are selected each year, but only around 50% successfully complete the process and obtain visas. The rest are disqualified for reasons such as failing to meet education requirements, having a criminal record, or not submitting documents on time.
Benefits of Winning the Irish Immigration Lottery
The key benefits of winning the Irish immigration lottery include:
- Chance to immigrate to Ireland – The lottery provides an opportunity to live in Ireland that you may not otherwise have.
- Irish permanent residence – Diversity visa holders can live and work in Ireland indefinitely.
- Ability to sponsor relatives – After becoming an Irish resident, you can apply to bring over eligible family members.
- Pathway to citizenship – You can apply for Irish citizenship after 5 years of residence.
The lottery essentially gives you the chance to change your life by moving to Ireland if you meet the eligibility criteria and are lucky enough to be selected.
Odds of Winning the Irish Immigration Lottery
The chances of winning the Irish immigration lottery depend on the number of applicants each year relative to how many visas are available. In recent years, the odds have been around 1-2%:
| Year | Number of Applicants | Diversity Visas Available | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 55,000 | 5,000 | 1 in 11 (9%) |
| 2021 | 65,000 | 5,000 | 1 in 13 (8%) |
| 2020 | 58,000 | 5,000 | 1 in 12 (8%) |
As you can see, the number of applicants is always far more than the available diversity visas. Your chances may be slightly better or worse in any given year depending on the number of applicants.
Potential Challenges of Immigrating Through the Lottery
While winning the lottery provides an incredible opportunity, there are also some challenges to be aware of:
- High application volume makes winning unlikely
- You may have just a few months to complete visa processing
- Proof of education and other docs must be submitted on time
- You need to handle travel arrangements and costs
- Language barriers and cultural adjustments in Ireland
- No guarantee you can bring over all desired family members
The process is not easy, so you should be prepared for paperwork, expenses, and transition hurdles if selected. But many people feel the opportunity is worth it.
How to Maximize Your Chances of Winning
While luck plays a big role, there are a few tips that may help increase your odds slightly:
- Apply early during the registration period
- Check application status to confirm submission
- Make sure your submission has no errors
- Include spouse and children, if any
- Consider submitting separately from family
Applying early seems to be the most important factor, as once 50,000 applications are entered, no more are accepted. Avoid mistakes and include dependents to maximize the number of entries your family has.
Can You Enter the Irish Immigration Lottery More Than Once?
Each person can only submit one Irish immigration lottery application per year. You cannot improve your chances by submitting multiple entries. The computerized lottery system will automatically disqualify any duplicate applications.
You can, however, submit one application for yourself and separate applications on behalf of your spouse and unmarried children under 21. This allows multiple family members to enter the lottery, with each having one chance of being selected.
Is Winning the Irish Immigration Lottery Guaranteed?
Unfortunately, winning the lottery does not guarantee you will receive an Irish immigrant visa. Being selected in the random lottery draw simply means you can apply for a diversity visa. There are further bureaucratic steps required before a visa can be issued.
You will need to submit paperwork and evidence to prove you actually meet all the eligibility criteria. Typically around 50% of lottery winners are subsequently disqualified at this stage if they fail to provide necessary documentation or are found ineligible for any reason.
So you should maintain realistic expectations. But if selected, it’s important to promptly complete all required steps within the designated timeframe to maximize your chances of securing the visa.
Can Irish Immigration Lottery Winners Bring Family?
If you win the Irish immigration lottery, you can bring your spouse and unmarried children under 21. They will be issued visas as your dependents.
Once you become a permanent resident of Ireland, you may also be able to sponsor other eligible family members, such as parents, siblings, or adult children. However, this takes additional time and applications.
Keep in mind diversity visa holders cannot sponsor family until they have lived in Ireland for 12 months. And the sponsor application process for relatives can take years to complete due to quotas and backlogs.
Do Irish Immigration Lottery Winners Get Free Housing or Financial Assistance?
Unfortunately, the Irish government does not provide free housing, financial assistance, or other benefits specifically to diversity visa holders. As immigrants, they have access to general social welfare programs in Ireland on the same basis as Irish citizens.
It is important for lottery winners to have sufficient funds to cover travel costs, initial housing expenses, and living costs until employed. Family or community support networks in Ireland are also beneficial when immigrating through the lottery.
Can Irish Immigration Lottery Winners Still Be Denied Entry?
Yes, diversity visa holders can still be denied entry into Ireland at the port of entry even if they obtained their visa. Reasons for denial when arriving may include:
- Health concerns
- Criminal issues or security risks
- Fraud or misrepresentation
- Inability to prove necessary funds or support
Irish immigration officers at airports and seaports make the final determination of whether you will be allowed into the country when you arrive as a permanent resident. Anything that raises concerns could lead to temporary or permanent denial of entry.
Do You Have to Live in Ireland Immediately if You Win?
Diversity visa holders must immigrate to Ireland and obtain permanent residence status before their visa expires. Typically visas are valid for 6 months from the date of issue.
During this time, you are expected to make arrangements to move to Ireland. This includes things like quitting your job, selling property, shipping belongings, booking travel, and finding initial housing.
You do not have to permanently live in Ireland as soon as you arrive. Visa holders can return to their home country for visits. But Ireland must become your country of permanent residence within the visa validity period.
Can Irish Immigration Lottery Winners Apply for Dual Citizenship?
Yes, diversity visa holders who immigrate to Ireland through the lottery can eventually apply to become Irish citizens and hold dual citizenship. The requirements are:
- You must live continuously in Ireland for 5 years
- You must be of good character
- You must intend to continue residing in Ireland if granted citizenship
Once naturalized as a dual citizen, you would have the rights and privileges of full Irish citizenship. This includes the ability to vote, hold public office, and obtain an Irish passport.
What Are the Work Rights of Irish Immigration Lottery Winners?
Diversity visa holders have unrestricted work rights upon immigrating to Ireland. As lawful permanent residents, they can work in any job or profession, establish a business, and earn a living without needing any additional work authorization or employment visa.
Immigrating through the lottery puts you on an equal footing with Irish citizens in regards to employment. You do not need an employer sponsorship or be restricted to certain jobs tied to a temporary work visa.
Can You Apply for Both the Irish and US Immigration Lotteries?
It is permitted to apply for both the Irish immigration lottery and the US green card lottery in the same year. Since the drawings are independent of each other, you have two separate chances to win.
However, if you are selected in both lotteries, you will eventually have to choose whether to immigrate to Ireland or the United States. You cannot obtain permanent residence in both countries through the lotteries.
Talk to your family and carefully consider where you would prefer to live and work if fortunate enough to have dual lottery wins. It’s a nice problem to have!
Conclusion
The Irish immigration lottery offers a wonderful chance for 50,000 applicants each year to legally immigrate with permanent residence. While the odds of winning are low, it remains an attractive opportunity.
If selected, you must complete significant paperwork and processing within a short timeframe to actually obtain the visa. Immigration inevitably involves challenges and expenses. But overall, the diversity visa lottery provides life-changing possibilities for people who want to build a future in Ireland.
