Diversity Visa Lottery (Green Card Lottery)
What is the DV Lottery?
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery is a U.S. government program that provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually to people from countries with low immigration to the United States.
Annual Visas: Up to 55,000 green cards available
Cost: Free to enter - beware of scams
Eligibility: Must be from qualifying country with education/work experience
2024-2025 Key Facts
Registration for DV-2026 typically opens in October 2024. Only online entries at dvlottery.state.gov are accepted. There is no fee to enter.
Registration: October-November 2024 (estimated)
Results: May 2025 (estimated)
Warning: Many fraudulent lottery sites exist
Eligibility Requirements
Basic Qualification Requirements for DV Lottery
- Born in an eligible country (low immigration to U.S.)
- High school education or equivalent (12 years of formal education)
- OR 2+ years work experience in occupation requiring 2+ years training
- Meet health and character requirements
- Not previously removed from U.S. or violated immigration laws
- Spouse and unmarried children under 21 must also meet requirements
Complete DV Lottery Process
From Registration to Green Card
Registration Period Opens
Submit DV entry during annual registration period (typically October-November)
Required Documents:
- •Online entry form (DS-5501) only - no fee required
- •Digital photo meeting strict specifications
- •Basic biographical information
- •Spouse and children information
Wait for Results
Check results on dvlottery.state.gov starting in May following year
Required Documents:
- •Confirmation number from registration
- •Check results online - no notification sent
- •Selected applicants get case numbers
- •Most applicants are not selected
Submit DS-260 (If Selected)
Selected applicants complete immigrant visa application
Required Documents:
- •Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application)
- •All required civil documents
- •Passport photos meeting specifications
- •Police certificates from residence countries
Document Processing & Fees
Submit required documents to KCC and pay processing fees
Required Documents:
- •Birth certificates for all family members
- •Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- •Education or work experience documents
- •$330 per person immigrant visa fee
Interview & Medical Exam
Attend consular interview and complete medical examination
Required Documents:
- •All original documents
- •Medical examination by approved physician
- •Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) or assets evidence
- •Interview at U.S. consulate in home country
Visa Issuance & U.S. Entry
Receive immigrant visa and enter U.S. by September 30
Required Documents:
- •Immigrant visa in passport
- •Sealed packet from consulate
- •USCIS Immigrant Fee ($220)
- •Enter U.S. before September 30 deadline
Eligible Countries by Region (2024)
Africa
Generally Eligible:
Most African countries eligible
Major Exceptions:
Nigeria ineligible (high immigration)
Visa Allocation:
~25,000 annually
Asia
Generally Eligible:
Most Asian countries eligible
Major Exceptions:
Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan ineligible
Visa Allocation:
~8,000 annually
Europe
Generally Eligible:
Most European countries eligible
Major Exceptions:
United Kingdom ineligible (high immigration)
Visa Allocation:
~11,000 annually
North America
Generally Eligible:
Limited eligibility
Major Exceptions:
Canada, Mexico, U.S. ineligible
Visa Allocation:
Very few allocated
Oceania
Generally Eligible:
Most Pacific countries eligible
Major Exceptions:
Australia ineligible
Visa Allocation:
~1,000 annually
South America
Generally Eligible:
Most countries eligible
Major Exceptions:
Brazil, Colombia ineligible
Visa Allocation:
~3,000 annually
Country Eligibility Changes
Country eligibility can change from year to year based on immigration statistics. Countries that send more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous 5 years become ineligible. Always check the current year's instructions for your country's eligibility.
Photo Requirements
Digital Photo Specifications (Most Critical Requirement)
Photo Must Meet ALL Requirements
- Digital photo taken within 6 months
- Full face, front view with neutral expression
- Head covering only for religious purposes
- Background must be white or off-white
- No shadows on face or background
- Minimum 600x600 pixels, maximum 1200x1200 pixels
- JPEG format, maximum 240KB file size
- Same photo must be used for spouse and children
Photo Requirement Warning
Incorrect photos cause 90% of DV lottery disqualifications.The photo requirements are extremely strict and automatically enforced.
- • Consider using a professional photographer familiar with visa photos
- • Use the same photo for all family members listed in entry
- • Test your photo with the online photo validation tool if available
- • When in doubt, retake the photo - there's no appeal for photo rejection
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Incorrect Photo Specifications
Consequence:
Automatic disqualification - most common reason for rejection
Prevention:
Follow photo requirements exactly, consider professional photo
Missing Registration Deadline
Consequence:
Cannot apply until next year's lottery
Prevention:
Mark calendar - registration typically October-November
Duplicate Entries
Consequence:
Disqualification if multiple entries submitted
Prevention:
Submit only ONE entry per person per year
Spouse Not Included
Consequence:
Spouse cannot immigrate with winner
Prevention:
Include spouse even if not planning to immigrate together
Missing Education/Work Requirements
Consequence:
Visa denial at interview
Prevention:
Verify education or work experience meets minimum standards
Not Checking Results
Consequence:
Missing opportunity - no notification sent
Prevention:
Check results regularly starting in May, save confirmation number
Important Dates for DV Program
2024-2025 DV Lottery Timeline
DV-2026 Registration Opens
October 2024 (estimated)
Exact dates announced on travel.state.gov
DV-2026 Registration Closes
November 2024 (estimated)
Typically 30-day registration period
DV-2025 Results Available
May 2024
Results available on dvlottery.state.gov
DV-2025 Interview Period
October 2024 - September 2025
Interviews scheduled when case numbers become current
DV-2025 Deadline
September 30, 2025
Must enter U.S. by this date - no extensions
Documentation Tips for Selected Applicants
Essential Document Preparation for DV Interview
- Keep original documents safe - translations must be certified
- Birth certificates must show both parents' names
- Education documents must show completion of secondary education
- Work experience letters must detail specific duties and dates
- Police certificates required from all countries lived in 6+ months since age 16
- Medical examination by approved panel physician required
- Affidavit of Support or evidence of financial support needed
Critical DV Lottery Facts
Important Warnings
- • Only official site: dvlottery.state.gov - all others are scams
- • Completely free: Never pay to enter the DV lottery
- • No notifications: Must check results yourself online
- • One entry only: Multiple entries = automatic disqualification
- • Strict deadlines: No extensions available for any step
Success Tips
- • Follow instructions exactly: Any deviation causes disqualification
- • Professional photo: Most critical requirement
- • Keep confirmation number: Only way to check results
- • Prepare documents early: If selected, time is limited
- • Financial planning: Interview and moving costs can be substantial
Official Resources
Official DV Lottery Information
⚠️ Scam Warning
The ONLY official DV lottery website is dvlottery.state.gov. Any other website charging fees or claiming to increase your chances is a scam. The U.S. government does NOT notify winners by email, mail, or phone.