In all decades until the 1960s, Canada was the most common country of origin for immigrants to the United States from other parts of the Americas. This changed with the introduction of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, where migration became easier for those from countries in the Global South, while Canadian migration fell due to the rising prosperity in the country. Since the 1960s, Mexico has consistently been the most common country of origin for immigrants to the United States in each decade, and its all-time total is now the highest in the world. Outside of North America, the Caribbean was the region with the highest level of migration to the U.S., particularly from Cuba and the Dominican Republic, and the region's all-time total has now overtaken that of Canada (additionally, it should be noted that Caribbean figures do not count Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands: both territories of the United States).

Most people in the fiscal year of 2022 who obtained green cards in the United States came from Mexico, with a total of ******* green card recipients. India, China, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba rounded out the top five leading countries of origin for green card recipients in that year.

In the late 20th century, the number of Asians obtaining permanent resident status in the U.S. rose significantly. For decades, migration from Asia had been blocked through the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which was implemented after an influx of Chinese immigrants in the middle of the century. The Act was then expanded to block almost all Asian migration in 1917, before the Immigration and Nationality Act then removed targeted restrictions. Since the 1950s, the Philippines (a former territory of the United States) has been the largest country of origin for Asian immigrants, while migration from India and China, the world's most populous countries, has also been high.

A comprehensive dataset of top citizenship countries for Green Card sponsorships in 2025, including salary data, petition trends, and employer insights. Updated annually with the latest data on Green Card sponsorship trends and employer behavior.

About United States Diversity Visa program

The Diversity Immigrant Visa program, also known as the green card lottery, is a US government lottery program for receiving a US Permanent Resident Card. The program aims to diversify the immigrant population in the US by providing 50000 visas/green cards annually to applicants from countries with low numbers of immigrants in the previous five years.

In order to participate in the lottery, applicants from eligible countries have to fill in the form at the web site: https://www.dvlottery.state.gov/. Approximately 100000 entries are randomly selected initially, and after additional selection steps, 50000 visas are issued.

Content of the dataset

The dataset contains the number of online entries and the number of visas issued, grouped by each country. The data from 2007 to 2018 fiscal year are included for online entries and from 2008 to 2017 fiscal year for issued visas.

Source

The data was obtained from the US Department of State website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-program-statistics.html

In comparison to the other continents, historical migration rates from Africa to the United States have been relatively low. While almost 400,000 Africans were forcibly taken to mainland North America during transatlantic slavery, the abolition of the slave trade in 1808 was followed by incredibly low migration rates due to widespread poverty across the continent, lack of opportunity, and restrictive migration policies in the U.S. The past two decades have seen a significant rise in immigration from across Sub-Saharan Africa, where rapid population growth, climate change, conflict, and instability have driven millions to leave the continent each year, although only a relatively small share migrate across the Atlantic to the U.S..

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Immigration Services Market Outlook

The global immigration services market size was valued at approximately USD 45 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 72 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2024 to 2032. The market growth is primarily driven by increased globalization and the consequent rise in international migration for work, education, and family reunification purposes. With the world becoming increasingly interconnected, there is a growing need for efficient immigration services to facilitate these movements.

One of the significant growth factors is the escalating demand for skilled labor across various industries. Countries with aging populations and labor shortages are particularly keen on attracting skilled workers from abroad, which boosts the demand for immigration services. Additionally, multinational companies are expanding their operations across borders, requiring specialized services to manage employee relocations and ensure compliance with immigration laws. This trend is anticipated to continue, fueling the growth of the immigration services market over the forecast period.

Another key driver is the rising educational migration. Students worldwide are increasingly seeking educational opportunities abroad to gain international exposure and improve their career prospects. This has led to a surge in demand for visa services, documentation, and compliance assistance, particularly in countries known for their high-quality education systems. The increasing number of international students is expected to continuously support the market growth.

The advent of advanced technologies is also significantly transforming the immigration services sector. Digital platforms and tools are enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of immigration processes. Online services, including application submissions, document verification, and status tracking, are becoming more prevalent, reducing the need for physical visits to immigration offices. This shift towards digitalization not only streamlines procedures but also caters to the tech-savvy younger population, thereby further propelling market growth.

Regionally, North America holds a substantial share of the global immigration services market, driven by high immigration rates and well-established immigration frameworks. Europe follows closely, with many countries relying on immigration to address demographic challenges. The Asia Pacific region is also witnessing significant growth, fueled by increasing migration for educational and employment opportunities. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are emerging markets, with growing awareness and adoption of professional immigration services.

Service Type Analysis

Visa services dominate the immigration services market by service type, given their critical role in enabling cross-border mobility. These services encompass various visa categories, including tourist, student, work, and family visas, each requiring specific documentation and compliance. The complexity of visa application processes and the need for accurate, timely submissions drive the demand for professional visa services. Additionally, frequent changes in visa policies and regulations necessitate expert guidance, further bolstering this segment.

Work permit services are another vital segment, catering to individuals seeking employment opportunities abroad. These services include obtaining necessary permits, ensuring compliance with local labor laws, and facilitating smooth transitions for expatriates. As companies increasingly operate on a global scale, the need for efficient work permit services grows. This segment is particularly crucial in regions with stringent labor regulations, where professional assistance can significantly streamline the process.

Green card services represent a long-term immigration solution, primarily in countries like the United States where permanent residency is highly sought after. This segment involves complex procedures, from eligibility assessment to application and interview preparation. The promise of permanent residency and eventual citizenship drives the demand for these services. The lengthy and intricate nature of green card applications underscores the importance of professional assistance, ensuring adherence to all legal requirements and improving the success rate of applications.

Citizenship services cater to individuals aiming to obtain citizenship in a foreign country. These services involve comprehensive support throughout the naturalization process, inc

Among countries with the highest number of overseas Chinese on each continent, the largest Chinese diaspora community is living in Indonesia, numbering more than ten million people. Most of these people are descendants from migrants born in China, who have moved to Indonesia a long time ago. On the contrary, a large part of overseas Chinese living in Canada and Australia have arrived in these countries only during the last two decades. China as an emigration country Many Chinese people have emigrated from their home country in search of better living conditions and educational chances. The increasing number of Chinese emigrants has benefited from loosened migration policies. On the one hand, the attitude of the Chinese government towards emigration has changed significantly. Overseas Chinese are considered to be strong supporters for the overall strength of Chinese culture and international influence. On the other hand, migration policies in the United States and Canada are changing with time, expanding migration opportunities for non-European immigrants. As a result, China has become one of the world’s largest emigration countries as well as the country with the highest outflows of high net worth individuals. However, the mass emigration is causing a severe loss of homegrown talents and assets. The problem of talent and wealth outflow has raised pressing questions to the Chinese government, and a solution to this issue is yet to be determined. Popular destinations among Chinese emigrants Over the last decades, English speaking developed countries have been popular destinations for Chinese emigrants. In 2022 alone, the number of people from China naturalized as U.S. citizens had amounted to over 27,000 people, while nearly 68,000 had obtained legal permanent resident status as “green card” recipients. Among other popular immigration destinations for Chinese riches are Canada, Australia, Europe, and Singapore.