Lotte(34)

Every October I filled out the DV Lottery form on dvprogram.state.gov. It costs nothing and takes five minutes. The Netherlands is one of the eligible countries -- not all countries can participate. In May 2024 I checked the results and couldn't believe my eyes: "You have been randomly selected." Out of the 55,000 visas available annually through the Diversity Visa, I had won one.

But being selected is just the beginning. You must compile an extensive dossier for the consular interview in Amsterdam: police clearance, medical exam by a designated physician, financial documents, diploma verification and an Affidavit of Support from a sponsor in the US. I had a former classmate in Miami who acted as sponsor. The consular interview lasted twenty minutes and was surprisingly informal. Three weeks later I had my green card stamp in my passport.

Landing in Miami with a green card feels different from a work visa. You have complete freedom: work wherever you want, live wherever you want, no employer controlling your visa. But that freedom also means you have to figure out everything yourself. I had no employer offering a relocation package, no HR department handling my SSN, no corporate housing. I booked an Airbnb for a month and started from zero.

Miami is a city of extremes. Rent is high ($2,100 for a one-bedroom in Brickell), but Florida has no state income tax. The heat is overwhelming -- from June to October it's 35+ degrees with 90% humidity. But the winters are paradise. The Cuban and Latin American influence makes Miami culturally rich: I now speak basic Spanish and eat every week at my favorite Colombian restaurant. The Dutch community is small but active, especially around Fort Lauderdale.

As a green card holder I'm subject to US tax on my worldwide income. That means my Dutch savings account, my investments and even my golden parachute from a previous company must be reported. FATCA also makes it difficult for Dutch banks: ING and Rabobank actively close accounts of clients with a US address. I had to close my Dutch accounts and transfer everything to an American bank. I file the FBAR every April.

After a year and a half I work as an event manager at an international company in Wynwood. My green card gives me the luxury of changing jobs without visa stress. In three years I can become a US citizen -- then I can vote and no longer worry about losing my status. My advice: enter the DV Lottery. It costs nothing, the odds are small but real, and if you win, your life changes forever.