The Ultimate Guide to the Diversity Visa Lottery (DV Lottery)

The dream of living and working in the United States is a powerful one, pursued by millions around the globe. While there are many pathways to U.S. permanent residency, one of the most unique and widely known is the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, more famously called the Diversity Visa Lottery or Green Card Lottery.

This program, established by the Immigration Act of 1990, offers a glimmer of hope to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United. It is a true lottery—a game of chance that, for a few tens of thousands of lucky individuals each year, leads to a U.S. Green Card.

But what exactly is the DV Lottery? Who is eligible? How do you apply? And how can you avoid the countless scams that prey on hopeful applicants?

This is your ultimate guide. We will walk you through every single step of the Diversity Visa Lottery process, from checking your eligibility to what happens after you’ve been selected. Consider this your pillar page for everything related to the DV-2027 program and beyond.

What is the Diversity Visa Lottery?

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (its official name) is a United States government lottery program for receiving a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, commonly known as a Green Card.

The Purpose: Diversifying the American Melting Pot

The core mission of the DV program is to diversify the immigrant population in the United States. U.S. immigration has historically been dominated by a small number of countries. The DV Lottery was created to provide an immigration opportunity for individuals from countries that do not send large numbers of immigrants to the U.S. through traditional family-based or employment-based channels.

How it Works: A Numbers Game

Each year, the U.S. Department of State runs the program and makes approximately 55,000 immigrant visas available. The process is a true lottery.

Allocation: Visas are allocated among six geographic regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America, Central America, and the Caribbean). No single country may receive more than 7% of the available DVs in any one year.
Selection: A computer program randomly selects eligible entrants from all the entries received during the registration period.
Chance: Millions of people apply each year. For the DV-2025 program, over 22 million people (including derivatives) applied. This makes the odds of winning statistically low, but significantly higher than zero for those who qualify.

It is crucial to understand that applying is completely free. The U.S. government does not charge a fee to enter the lottery.

Are You Eligible? The Two Non-Negotiable Requirements

Before you even think about applying, you must meet two strict eligibility requirements. If you do not meet both, your application will be disqualified, either at the time of entry or during the consular interview if you are selected.

Requirement #1: Country of Nativity (The “Lottery” Part)

This is the most fundamental rule. You must be a native of a country with a low rate of immigration to the United States.

Your country of eligibility is generally your country of birth. It is not based on your citizenship or where you currently live.

Which Countries are Ineligible?

The list of ineligible countries can change from year to year. A country becomes ineligible if more than 50,000 of its natives have immigrated to the U.S. in the previous five years.

For the most recent DV program (DV-2025), natives of the following countries were not eligible to apply:

Bangladesh
Brazil
Canada
China (including Hong Kong SAR)
Colombia
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Haiti
Honduras
India
Jamaica
Mexico
Nigeria
Pakistan
Philippines
South Korea
United Kingdom (and its dependent territories)
Venezuela
Vietnam

Note: Macau SAR and Taiwan were eligible. This list is for informational purposes and you must check the official instructions for the specific DV year you are applying for.

Exceptions to the Country of Birth Rule

What if you were born in an ineligible country? There are two potential exceptions:

Spouse’s Country of Birth: If your spouse was born in an eligible country, you can “claim” their country of birth. You and your spouse must be named on the selected entry, be issued visas, and enter the U.S. at the same time.
Parents’ Country of Birth: If you were born in an ineligible country, but neither of your parents was born there or resided there at the time of your birth, you may claim the country of birth of one of your parents.

Requirement #2: Education or Work Experience

If you meet the country requirement, you must then meet either the education or the work experience requirement. You do not need to meet both.

The High School Education Path

You must have a high school education or its equivalent. This is defined as the successful completion of a 12-year course of formal elementary and secondary education in the United States or the successful completion in another country of a formal course of study comparable to a U.S. high school education.

Simply attending a high school is not enough; you must have graduated. Vocational degrees or equivalency certificates (like a GED) are generally not sufficient.

The Qualifying Work Experience Path

If you do not meet the education requirement, you can qualify with work experience. You must have two years of work experience within the last five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience to perform.

The U.S. Department of State uses the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net OnLine database to determine qualifying work experience.

To qualify, your job occupation must be designated as a Job Zone 4 or 5, and have a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) rating of 7.0 or higher. To check your occupation, you can visit the O*Net OnLine database, find your occupation, and look at the “Job Zone” details.

The Application Process: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

If you meet both eligibility requirements, you can proceed with the application. The process is straightforward but demands meticulous attention to detail.

When and Where to Apply: The Official Source

When: The application window is very specific and typically runs for about five weeks from early October to early November each year. For example, the registration for the DV-2027 lottery will likely occur in October/November 2025. You must apply during this period.
Where: There is only ONE official website to submit your application: https://dvprogram.state.gov/. Any other website is a fake or a third-party service that will charge you. The official website is a .gov domain.

Gathering Your Information

You will need the following information for yourself, your spouse, and all unmarried children under 21 (regardless of whether they live with you or intend to immigrate):

Full Name: Exactly as it appears on your passport.
Gender
Birth Date
City & Country of Birth
Country of Eligibility: Usually your country of birth.
Passport Information: You must have a valid, unexpired passport. You’ll need the passport number, country of issuance, and expiration date. (This requirement has been subject to change and legal challenges, so always check the official instructions for the current year).
Mailing Address
Email Address and Phone Number (Optional but recommended)
Highest Level of Education Achieved
Current Marital Status
Information on Spouse and Children: Full names, birth dates, gender, city/country of birth, and individual photographs for each. You must list all eligible children, including natural children, legally adopted children, and stepchildren, even if they are not immigrating with you.

The Digital Photograph: The Most Common Reason for Disqualification

Submitting a photograph that does not meet the strict requirements is the simplest way to get your application rejected. You must submit a recent (taken within the last 6 months) digital photograph for every person on your application.

Technical Specifications:

Format: JPEG (.jpg) file format
File Size: Equal to or less than 240 KB
Dimensions: A square aspect ratio, 600×600 pixels in dimension.

Compositional Requirements:

In color
In focus
Head Position: The person must directly face the camera. The head should be between 50% and 69% of the image’s total height.
Background: Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background.
Expression: Neutral facial expression with both eyes open.
Attire: Normal clothing. Uniforms should not be worn, except for religious clothing worn daily.
Head Coverings: No hats or head coverings that obscure the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose. Even then, your full face must be visible.
No Glasses: As of recent years, eyeglasses are no longer allowed in visa photos.
No Shadows on the face or background.

The U.S. Department of State provides a free photo tool on their website to help you crop and validate your photo. Use it!

Submitting Your Entry and The Confirmation Number

Once you fill out all the information and upload all photos, you will submit the form. After successful submission, you will see a confirmation screen containing your name and a unique Confirmation Number.

This Confirmation Number is absolutely vital. You must print this page or save a screenshot of it. You will not be able to check your status without it. The Department of State will not send it to you again.

You are only allowed one entry per person during each registration period. Submitting more than one entry will disqualify you.

After You Apply: The Waiting Game and Checking Your Results

After submitting your application in the fall, you must wait until the following year to check the results.

The Entrant Status Check (ESC) Portal

The U.S. government does not contact you to let you know if you have won. There are no letters, no phone calls, and most importantly, no emails.

You are solely responsible for checking your own status on the official Entrant Status Check (ESC) website: https://dvprogram.state.gov/ESC/. This is the same website where you applied.

When to Check Your Status

Results for the DV lottery are typically made available starting in early May of the year following your application. For example, if you applied in October 2025 for the DV-2027 program, you would check your results starting in May 2026.

You will need three pieces of information to check your status:

Your Confirmation Number from your application.
Your Last/Family Name exactly as you entered it.
Your Year of Birth.

Losing Your Confirmation Number

If you lose your confirmation number, there is a “Forgot Confirmation Number” tool on the ESC website. You will need to provide your personal information and the email address you used on your application to retrieve it.

“Congratulations, You Have Been Selected!” – What to Do if You Win

Checking the ESC portal and seeing that you have been selected is an incredibly exciting moment. But the journey is not over.

Selection vs. Visa: An Important Distinction

Being “selected” does not guarantee you a visa. The government selects more applicants than there are available visas (typically around 100,000-125,000 selectees for 55,000 visas). This is to account for people who are disqualified, decide not to proceed, or are otherwise ineligible.

You must act quickly and correctly to have a chance of securing your visa. Visas are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis according to your case number, once it becomes “current” in the Visa Bulletin.

Step 1: Submit Form DS-260

Immediately upon selection, you must complete and submit the DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, online. This is a long, detailed form that asks for extensive biographical information.

Step 2: Gather Your Supporting Documents

While you wait for your interview to be scheduled, you must gather all required documents. These typically include:

Passport(s) valid for at least six months beyond your intended entry date.
Birth certificate(s).
Marriage certificate (if applicable).
Divorce or death certificates of previous spouses (if applicable).
Police certificates from any country you have lived in for more than 12 months since age 16.
Court and prison records (if applicable).
Military records (if applicable).
Evidence of education or work experience.
Two passport-style photos meeting the visa requirements.

Step 3: The Consular Interview

Once your case number is current, the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) will schedule your interview at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. You will need to complete a medical examination with an embassy-approved physician before your interview.

At the interview, a consular officer will review your documents, ask you questions to confirm your eligibility, and determine whether you can be issued an immigrant visa. You must pay the visa application fees at this time.

Step 4: Visa Approval and Arriving in the U.S.

If your interview is successful, the officer will place an immigrant visa in your passport. You will also receive a sealed immigrant packet, which you must not open. You present this packet to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers upon your first arrival in the United States. Once admitted, you become a Lawful Permanent Resident, and your Green Card will be mailed to your U.S. address.

Common DV Lottery Scams and How to Avoid Them

The popularity of the DV Lottery has created a breeding ground for scams. Be vigilant.

The “Pay to Enter” Scam: Applying for the DV Lottery is 100% FREE. Any website or person asking for money to enter you into the lottery is a scam. Fees are only paid directly to the U.S. embassy or consulate at the time of your interview if you are selected.
The “You’ve Won!” Email Scam: The U.S. Department of State will NEVER send you an email saying you have won. The only way to know is by checking the official ESC website yourself.
Fake “Official” Websites: Scammers create websites that look like official U.S. government sites. Always double-check the URL. It must end in .gov.
Visa Agents Promising a Win: No one can increase your chances of being selected. The selection is completely random. Be wary of agents who make such promises or ask to “hold” your documents or confirmation number for a fee.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Diversity Visa Lottery

Q: What is the current program year? A: The program year is typically two years ahead of the application period. For applications submitted in late 2025, the program will be the “DV-2027” lottery.

Q: Can I apply if I am already in the United States? A: Yes, provided you meet the two core eligibility requirements. If selected, you may be able to adjust your status without leaving the U.S., but you should consult an immigration attorney.

Q: Does winning the lottery affect my current nonimmigrant visa (like a student or tourist visa)? A: Simply applying does not show immigrant intent. However, if you are selected and proceed with the DS-260, it clearly demonstrates immigrant intent, which could make it difficult to renew or use a nonimmigrant visa.

Q: Can my family come with me? A: Yes. If you are selected, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 (at the time of your initial application) are also eligible to receive derivative visas. You must have listed them on your original entry form.

Q: How are winners chosen? A: Winners are selected entirely at random by a computer program from all qualified entries.

Q: What are my chances of winning? A: The odds are low and vary greatly by region. In Africa, for example, the odds can be around 1 in 25-30, while in Europe or Oceania, they can be much better (e.g., 1 in 10-15) due to fewer applicants for the number of available slots.

Conclusion

The Diversity Visa Lottery is a remarkable and life-changing opportunity. It represents a unique pathway to the United States, based not on who you know or how much you earn, but on a combination of eligibility and sheer luck.

By understanding the requirements, following the application steps precisely, and staying vigilant against scams, you can ensure your entry is valid and gives you a fair chance. Remember the key takeaways:

Eligibility is everything: Check your country and your education/work experience first.
It’s FREE to apply: Never pay anyone to submit your entry.
Use the official .gov website ONLY: For both applying and checking your results.
Guard your Confirmation Number: It is your only key to your results.

While the odds may be long, for thousands of people every year, the lottery is the ticket to a new life. We wish you the best of luck.