Mistake 1
Submitting multiple entries to the DV Lottery is one of the most common and most serious mistakes. The U.S. Department of State uses software to detect duplicate submissions. If more than one entry is found for the same person, all entries from that person are permanently disqualified — even if the duplicates were submitted accidentally or by a third party on your behalf.
How to avoid: Submit only one entry per person per year. If you made an error in your first entry, you may submit a new one during the registration period — the new entry will replace the old one. But never submit more than one active entry.
Mistake 2
Photo-related mistakes are the number one cause of DV Lottery disqualification. The U.S. Department of State requires a very specific photo format: exactly 600x600 pixels, JPEG format, white or off-white background, taken within the last 6 months, no glasses, no hats, no digital editing or filters of any kind.
How to avoid: Always use the official photo validation tool on dvprogram.state.gov before submitting. Take a new photo if yours is older than 6 months. Use a plain white wall as a background and natural, even lighting. Never apply filters, retouching, or beauty mode.
Mistake 3
All DV Lottery applicants must list their spouse and all unmarried children under 21 on the application — even if the family members will not be immigrating with you, even if they already have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and even if children don't live with you. The only exception for spouses is if you are legally separated.
How to avoid: List every family member required, regardless of their current immigration status or location. Omitting a family member can lead to visa denial at the interview stage, even if you are selected in the lottery.
Mistake 4
Any discrepancy between the information on your DV Lottery entry and your official documents (passport, birth certificate) can result in visa denial. Common errors include misspelled names, wrong date of birth, incorrect country of birth, or selecting the wrong country of eligibility.
How to avoid: Copy your personal information directly from your passport. Double-check every field before submitting. If your name uses special characters or transliterations, use exactly the same spelling as your passport. Verify your country of birth matches your birth certificate.
Mistake 5
After submitting your DV Lottery entry, you receive a unique confirmation number. This number is the only way to check whether you have been selected. The U.S. Department of State does not send results by email, phone, or letter. If you lose your confirmation number, there is absolutely no way to retrieve it — not even by contacting the State Department.
How to avoid: Immediately after submission: screenshot the confirmation page, write the number down on paper, save it in your email as a draft, store it in a secure notes app, and tell a trusted family member. Save it in at least 3 different locations.
Frequently Asked Questions