Is it lawful or prohibited to participate in the United States Green Card Lottery Program including registering online, paying the fees, joining the draw and performing whichever procedures are required in order to reside in the United States so that in the future one can obtain American citizenship?

In the name of Allaah, the Benevolent, the Merciful. All praise is due to Allaah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allaah, his family, companions, and those loyal to him.Your question include two points: Firstly, the ruling on residing outside the land of Islam and whatever acts that it requires such as taking the means in order to obtain the Green Card, and secondly the ruling on becoming a citizen of these countries: With regards the first point the Mujama’ tackled this point previously, to summarize it: the ruling on residing outside the land of Islam differs according to the existing circumstances i.e. it is permissible for whoever is able to practice his religion openly and remain safe and ensure that whoever he is responsible for will not be tempted and affected in religion, it is obligatory upon those who reside in order to teach Islam, raise his children, refute doubts of opposing parties, and it is unlawful for those who know that he or the members of his family whom he is responsible for will have a high probability of being tempted in his religion and be unable to establish and practice his religion openly. As for seeking the nationality of a country that is not Muslim, please see fatwa number 7723. We ask Allaah for you and us success. And Allaah, the Most High, knows best.