As part of our continuing series on the DV-2011 diversity visa lottery, today we look at the costs involved. First, it costs nothing for entrants to self-register via myUSAi or the official U.S. government web site at www.dvlottery.state.gov.

However, as we have discussed before, there are reasons why entrants may want to use a paid lottery service. According to annual research conducted by myGreencard.com, the average fee charged by green card lottery service providers in the 2009 lottery is $58 for one person for one year, and $79 for two persons. Many registrants pay for additional services that could substantially increase the cost to as much as $500-$1000 per family.

If you win the lottery there are fees charged by the United States Department of State. You will be charged $775 per applicant. This includes a $355 fee for an immigrant visa, a $375 DV lottery surcharge, and a $45 security fee. Assuming a lottery winner has a spouse and two children, the total would be $775 x 4 = $3100 USD.

In addition, lottery winners must prove they have a job offer waiting for them in the United States or sufficient financial assets to show they will not become a “public charge”. If a winner does not have a job offer or adequate financial assets, they must submit a Form I-864 -- Affidavit of Support. (The Department of State charges an additional fee of $70 when the form is reviewed, but the fee does not apply when the form is filed abroad.) Form I-864 is a contract between a “sponsor” and the U.S. Government. It is signed by the sponsor, usually a close relative, who provides evidence he or she can support the “intending applicant” (lottery winner) and his or her family. The evidence includes tax returns signed by the sponsor, employer letters, bank statements, W-2 forms, and if requested, tax returns. The sponsor must show they have enough income and/or assets to maintain the intending immigrant(s) and the rest of the sponsor’s household at 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. By signing Form I-864, a sponsor agrees to use their resources to support the intending immigrant(s) named in the form, if required.

The sponsor must include himself/herself, and all individuals living in his household in the affidavit. If the sponsor lives with a brother and parents, he must include all of them on the form, even if they file separate tax returns. The sponsor must demonstrate that he can support himself and all individuals living with him. If their income needs to be combined in order for the sponsor to meet poverty guidelines, their financial documentation must also be included.

Of course, green card lottery winners must to pay their own transportation costs to America, and the cost of moving at least some personal possessions. Some lottery services, including USAGC.org, pay personal transportation costs to the USA to winners and provide assistance finding a job or a residence in the USA with their "VIP" services.

If you do not have a sponsor, you should have enough money for least three months of living expenses. And, if you need to hire an attorney, you should consider their fees as well.

More About:  To find a sponsor, contact the United States Association of Immigrants Discussion Forum. To register for the Green Card Lottery via USAGC, click here.