Utz119

One of my friend is a few years over stayed since he came to US as travelar. He wants
play the green card lotto. Since he is over stayed IF he won a green card , does he
need to go back to his country to proceed? IF he leaves this country can he can back
as soon as he gets green card? He insists it's OK to leave as long as he wins a lotto
and INS allows him to re-enter. But I'm not sure because I heard he would not be
allowed to re-enter for next 10 years. Pleas somebody clear this up.

Joachim Feise

On 2 May 2002, UTZ119 wrote:

    > One of my friend is a few years over stayed since he came to US as travelar. He
    > wants play the green card lotto. Since he is over stayed IF he won a green card ,
    > does he need to go back to his country to proceed? IF

Yes.

    > he leaves this country can he can back as soon as he gets green card? He insists
    > it's OK to leave as long as he wins a lotto and INS allows him to re-enter. But I'm
    > not sure because I heard he would not be allowed to re-enter for next 10 years.
    > Pleas somebody clear this up.

If he overstayed for over 1 year, he would be banned for 10 years. He would not get a
visa to enter.