The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery or DV Lottery, is a United States government program that provides a pathway to permanent residence for individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to America. Created by the Immigration Act of 1990, the U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) program aims to enhance the diversity of the immigrant population by selecting individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States.
The program exists to address geographic imbalances in U.S. immigration patterns. By encouraging applications from underrepresented countries, it promotes cultural diversity and ensures
The program exists to address geographic imbalances in U.S. immigration patterns. By encouraging applications from underrepresented countries, it promotes cultural diversity and ensures that immigration opportunities remain available to people from all corners of the world, not just those with existing family or employment connections to the United States.
Annually, the program distributes 55,000 immigrant visas through a random selection process among eligible applicants, though these amendments will further reduce the DV-2025 annual limit to approximately 52,000 due to congressional allocations for other programs.
The DV Lottery represents one of the most accessible immigration pathways to the United States for individuals who might not otherwise qualify for family-based or employment-based visas. Unlike other immigration categories that require existing ties to the U.S., the lottery system operates purely on chance, making it democratically available to eligible applicants worldwide.
Recipients of Diversity Visas contribute significantly to American society through entrepreneurship, filling labor market gaps, and enriching cultural diversity. The program particularly benefits individuals from developing countries who possess education and skills but lack traditional immigration pathways.
The lottery affects millions of people globally who dream of American permanent residence. Eligible countries span across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, with specific exclusions for countries that have sent large numbers of immigrants to the U.S. in recent years.
Starting at noon ET on May 3, 2025, lottery entrants must check the State Department's official Diversity Visa Lottery website to learn whether they have been chosen for the DV-2026 program. This represents the standard annual timeline that applicants must follow.
The entry period for the DV-2026 Diversity Visa Program was between October 2, 2024 and November 7, 2024, maintaining the traditional fall registration window that applicants must remember for future years.
The U.S. government has proposed a new rule that would require Diversity Visa lottery applicants to upload a scan of their valid, unexpired passport when entering the 2026 program (registration expected October 2025). This change aims to enhance program security and reduce fraudulent entries.
The U.S. says the rule is aimed at curbing fraud, especially cases where people are entered into the lottery without their knowledge. While not yet finalized, this represents a significant potential change to the application process.
DVs are divided among six geographic regions. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. This quota system ensures broad geographic representation across all eligible regions.
The Diversity Visa Program operates under Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This federal law establishes the program's basic structure, eligibility requirements, and annual visa allocations.
Country of Birth Eligibility Applicants must be born in a country that qualifies for the DV program. Countries are excluded if they sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. over the previous five years across all immigration categories.
Education and Work Experience Standards Applicants must meet one of two requirements:
Single Entry Rule Federal regulations strictly prohibit multiple entries. Submitting more than one application results in automatic disqualification from the current year's program.
Family Member Requirements Applicants must list all eligible family members, including spouses and unmarried children under 21. Failure to include eligible family members results in disqualification.
Random Selection Process The Department of State uses computer-generated random selection to choose potential immigrants. The process is designed to be fair and unbiased, with equal chances for all qualified entries.
Regional Quotas Visas are distributed across six geographic regions to ensure global representation. Each region receives a predetermined percentage of available visas based on historical immigration patterns.
| Region | Typical Allocation Percentage |
|---|---|
| Africa | ~50% |
| Asia | ~30% |
| Europe | ~15% |
| North America | ~3% |
| South America | ~1.5% |
| Oceania | ~0.5% |
Primary Application Portal
Supporting Government Resources
Digital Photo Requirements
Educational Credential Evaluation
Translation Services
Free Legal Resources
Status Monitoring
The initial DV lottery application is completely free. The U.S. government does not charge any fees for registration. However, if selected, applicants must pay various fees including the visa application fee (currently $330), medical examination costs, and other processing expenses. Be extremely cautious of any service claiming to improve your chances for a fee – the selection process is entirely random.
Eligibility changes annually based on immigration statistics from the previous five years. Countries that sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. during this period are excluded. For recent years, major excluded countries include Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. The complete list is published annually when registration opens.
Yes, under specific circumstances. You may qualify through your spouse's country of birth if you're married and your spouse's country is eligible. Additionally, if neither parent was born in your ineligible birth country and neither had residence there at the time of your birth, you might claim eligibility through a parent's birth country. These alternative eligibility rules require careful documentation.
Selection in the lottery does not guarantee a visa – it only provides the opportunity to apply. Selected applicants receive a case number and must complete additional steps including submitting Form DS-260, attending a consular interview, undergoing medical examinations, and paying required fees. Under U.S. law, eligibility to apply for a Diversity Immigrant Visa extends through the end of the fiscal year (September 30), and visas may become unavailable before that date if the Department issues all visa numbers authorized by Congress for that fiscal year.
DV-2026 Entrants may enter their confirmation information through the link below starting at noon (EDT) on May 3, 2025. You must use your confirmation number from your original application to check results on the official E-DV website. Results are never communicated by email, phone, or mail – only through the official online portal.
The DV lottery follows a strict annual schedule that applicants must understand:
Registration Period: Typically opens in early October and closes in early November Results Announcement: May 3rd of the following year Visa Processing Window: October 1st through September 30th of the fiscal year
Personal Details
Family Information
Educational and Work Background
Digital photographs must meet stringent specifications:
While the lottery is random, understanding the mathematics helps set realistic expectations. With millions of global applicants competing for approximately 55,000 visas, individual chances remain relatively low across all eligible countries.
Different regions experience varying selection rates based on application volumes and visa allocations. African countries typically see higher selection numbers due to larger regional allocations, while European countries often have lower selection rates due to fewer allocated visas relative to application volumes.
Many successful applicants apply consistently across multiple years. Since each year represents an independent random selection, previous applications don't affect future chances. Maintaining eligibility and reapplying annually maximizes long-term success probability.
Photo Problems: Poor quality images represent the most common disqualification reason. Invest in professional photography or carefully follow DIY guidelines.
Information Inconsistencies: Ensure all personal information matches exactly across all documents and applications.
Family Member Omissions: Failing to list eligible children or listing ineligible individuals results in automatic disqualification.
Multiple Applications: Submitting more than one entry per year leads to disqualification from that year's program.
Fraudulent Services: Avoid services that charge fees for lottery applications or promise improved chances.
Missed Deadlines: Late applications are not accepted under any circumstances.
Selected applicants must respond quickly and accurately. The first step involves completing Form DS-260 (Online Application for Immigrant Visa) through the Consular Electronic Application Center.
Winners must gather extensive documentation including birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances, medical examinations, and educational credentials. This process often takes several months to complete properly.
Consular interviews represent the final major hurdle. Preparation should include document organization, interview practice, and understanding of U.S. immigration law basics.
Selected applicants must maintain their eligibility throughout the process. Changes in marital status, criminal history, or other circumstances can affect visa approval.
Successful applicants should begin planning for American integration including housing, employment, education, and cultural adaptation well before visa approval.
The Diversity Visa Lottery provides a unique opportunity for individuals from eligible countries to achieve the American dream through legal immigration. While the process involves multiple steps and requirements, understanding the basics enables applicants to participate effectively and maximize their chances of success. Remember that patience, attention to detail, and strict adherence to official guidelines remain the keys to navigating this complex but rewarding process.