A number of young people informed the legal consultancy company “Juststudiumanima” that they were obliged to pay large sums of money when they were selected within the U.S. immigration program through the Green Card lotteries, but refused the further services of the intermediary company that helped them apply to the program. The jurists warn being maximally cautious and thoroughly reading the clauses stipulated in the contract when they use the services of intermediaries.
In a news conference at IPN, Igor Blanari, jurist for the company, said the Green Card program offers the possibility of winning the green card and of legally emigrating to the U.S. There is no tax for applying to the lottery, but the services of an intermediary can cost.
Jurist Cristina Hristoforov said the applicants, when they go to an intermediary, often fill out forms and sign contracts without analyzing them thoroughly. As a result, if they are selected at the lottery, they find themselves obliged to continue to use the services of the intermediary company for making the set of requested documents. If the applicant does not sign or avoids signing the service provision agreement, he is obliged to pay US$1,399 in compensation to the intermediary. “Our question is what is this money paid for? The presented documents show that no damage is caused to the company, while the reasons invoked by them show their goal is to enrich themselves without a just cause,” she stated.
The jurists warn that those who apply to this program should be prudent as the intermediary companies charge commission. Before applying, the aspirants must attentively study the regulations, contracts and instructions. They are urged to register on www.dvlotterz.state.gov without intermediaries.
Within the Green Card (Diversity Immigration Visa Program), which is mandated by the U.S. Congress, 50,000 visas are annually issued to countries that are eligible to take part in this program. The first lottery was held in 1994 and since then takes place annually.
