A closer look at The American Dream

Who is behind the Green Card agency The American Dream? Who are the founders, how long has The American Dream been an independent company, and who are the people behind the emails and on the phone? We would like to answer these questions and introduce ourselves.

The founders and managing directors

Holger Zimmermann pursued his studies in Business Administration at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Free University of Berlin. To this day, he continues to steer the course of The American Dream Group. The foundation for this was laid in 1996 in collaboration with law student Marcus Sieber. What started as a relatively small academic project quickly evolved into an international company with tens of thousands of clients each year, thanks to the founders' tireless efforts. The inspiration behind the company's founding was the annual Green Card Lottery that had been taking place in the United States since 1994, which prompted American law firms to offer comprehensive services related to the so-called Diversity Visa Lottery.

25 years after the company was founded by Holger Zimmermann and Marcus Sieber (top left), Diana Bohlinth (top right) joined the management team. The American Dream will soon be celebrating its 30th anniversary.

In Germany and Europe, however, the Green Card Lottery was still largely unknown. A comprehensive service offering, which at the time included personally forwarding all applicants' paper-based applications to the relevant authority in the United States, received an unexpectedly strong response. Through various channels such as television, radio, teletext, and extensive outdoor advertising, the small agency quickly grew into the market leader for US Green Card applications and various other US visas in Germany within just a few years. In 2021, Diana Bohlinth, a graduate of American Studies from the University of Potsdam, succeeded Marcus Sieber in the management team and has since been co-leading The American Dream US GreenCard Service GmbH alongside Holger Zimmermann.

A government-licensed immigration consulting service

As early as 1999, the young company applied for state accreditation as a consulting agency under Section 1 of the German Emigration Protection Act (§1 Auswanderungsschutzgesetz). After a thorough review of its expertise, the company received accreditation in January 2000 as the first private immigration consulting agency in Germany, along with registration in the Federal Office of Administration's directory.

Following a revision of the law, The American Dream's staff underwent additional evaluations in 2013 and 2021, and they remain personally and permanently accredited as state-approved immigration consultants by the Federal Office of Administration. (https://www.bva.bund.de/DE/Das-BVA/Aufgaben/A/Auswanderer_Auslandstaetige/_documents/Beratungsstellen_Inland_Inhalte.html?nn=514846#doc514822bodyText3). This ensures that you can always rely on trustworthy and competent information and advice on all matters related to living and working in the United States.

The American Dream Corporate Group

Over the years, the company has grown into a group with numerous business areas. To share the knowledge gained from years of practical experience, the first edition of the German book „Der amerikanische Traum – Mit GreenCard oder Visum in die USA“ was published in 2000. This several hundred-page "Bible" for emigrants has sold over 50,000 copies and recently entered its sixth edition.

Another successful milestone was the establishment of a visa procurement service in 2012, particularly for business clients. The American Dream US Visa Service GmbH primarily advises corporations and HR departments, but also entrepreneurs, students, au pairs, journalists, and other visa applicants. At our Berlin-Charlottenburg location, more than 25 dedicated and experienced employees provide guidance to expats, tourists, emigrants, and adventurers alike. We are pleased to share the entire history of The American Dream with you through a photo documentary.

Photo documentary: The history of The American Dream

In our photo documentary, you can take an exclusive look behind the scenes of The American Dream: from its beginnings as a small start-up to the first Green Card Lottery winners and international collaborations.

You will see the people who have shaped this success story with passion and perseverance, and the special moments that have accompanied our journey to becoming the leading service provider for US immigration and visas.

You can read the full story of The American Dream here.

Green Card Team

Our international Green Card service team is always ready to assist you with expert advice and support. Our Green Card consultants are available daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM via phone, email, or online chat — even on Sundays and holidays! Trained specialists are happy to help with all your Green Card-related questions, handle all necessary formalities, and notify you of the results of the Green Card Lottery.

Find us on Social Media

While waiting for your chance in the Green Card Lottery, we make the most of the time by connecting and sharing experiences about the land of opportunity. Just as boundless as the vast landscapes of America are the ways you can connect with us and countless USA enthusiasts. We also stay connected with our Green Card winners this way, in addition to our exclusive winners' forum. Our goal is to support you on your journey to the US to the best of our ability, and that's why we give our all every day to help make your American dream come true.

Join the American Dream community! Tag us with @americandream_official and use the hashtags #TheAmericanDream and #LiveYourDream in your posts so we can notice and engage with you.

Below, we introduce you to the social media channels of The American Dream in detail. It's worth checking in regularly, not least because of the many contests we hold exclusively for our The American Dream fans and followers. See for yourself and get involved!

Newsletter & Co

We strive every day to provide you with the best possible guidance and support for the Green Card and Green Card Lottery. We make sure that you have access to all the information you need on the social channels where you are active. As you join us, The American Dream community grows — your go-to resource for all things related to the Green Card and Green Card Lottery. A life in the USA is within reach!

We’re excited to engage with you and other USA enthusiasts on social media, and we hope you’re now fully connected with us!

In addition, our monthly The American Dream newsletter keeps you informed with a wealth of knowledge on all Green Card and USA-related topics. You can unsubscribe from this free newsletter at any time, but once you’ve subscribed, we’re confident you won’t want to miss a single issue.