The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery — also known as the Green Card Lottery — is a U.S. government program that makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available each year to people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
Applicants are selected at random through a computer-generated drawing. Winners and their eligible family members can apply for permanent resident status (a green card) to live and work in the United States.
55,000
Green cards issued per year
Random
Computer-generated selection
Free
No cost to register
Key Dates
October – November
The online registration window on dvprogram.state.gov typically opens in early October and closes in early November. The exact dates change each year.
May
Entrants can check their selection status online starting in May using their confirmation number. Results are only available through the official website.
October – September
Selected applicants undergo visa processing during the fiscal year. This includes submitting forms, attending interviews, and completing medical exams.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Diversity Visa Lottery, applicants must meet the following requirements:
You must be born in an eligible country. Countries with more than 50,000 immigrants in the past 5 years are excluded. Check the annual list to see if your country qualifies.
You must have at least a high school education or its equivalent (12 years of formal education), OR two years of qualifying work experience within the past five years.
If you don't meet the education requirement, you may qualify with two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.
You must submit a recent photograph that meets strict U.S. Department of State specifications: 600×600 pixels, white background, no glasses, taken within the last 6 months.
Application Process
Go to dvprogram.state.gov during the open registration period. This is the only legitimate website for DV Lottery registration.
Provide your name, date of birth, country of birth, education level, and contact details. Include information for your spouse and children.
Upload a photo that meets the strict requirements: 600×600 pixels, white background, recent (within 6 months), no glasses or head coverings (except religious).
After submission, you'll receive a confirmation number. Store this safely — it's the only way to check your results.
Return to the official website in May to check if you were selected. Do NOT trust emails or calls claiming you won — these are always scams.
Common Mistakes
Photos that don't meet the exact specifications are the #1 reason for disqualification. Use the official photo tool to validate your image.
Without your confirmation number, you cannot check your selection status. There is no way to recover it.
Submitting more than one entry per person will result in disqualification of all entries.
Any discrepancy between your lottery entry and your passport or documents can lead to visa denial.
Preparation
Make sure you have everything ready before the registration window opens:
Comparison
How does the DV Lottery compare to other common paths to a green card?
| Feature | DV Lottery | Family-Based | Employment-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost to Apply | Free | $535+ | $700+ |
| Processing Time | 1–2 years | 1–20+ years | 1–10+ years |
| Selection Method | Random lottery | Petition-based | Employer sponsor |
| Annual Limit | 55,000 visas | 226,000 visas | 140,000 visas |
| Requirement | Education/Work | Family relationship | Job offer |
| Difficulty | Luck-based | Relationship-dependent | Employer-dependent |
Cost to Apply
DV Lottery
Free
Family-Based
$535+
Employment-Based
$700+
Processing Time
DV Lottery
1–2 years
Family-Based
1–20+ years
Employment-Based
1–10+ years
Selection Method
DV Lottery
Random lottery
Family-Based
Petition-based
Employment-Based
Employer sponsor
Annual Limit
DV Lottery
55,000 visas
Family-Based
226,000 visas
Employment-Based
140,000 visas
Requirement
DV Lottery
Education/Work
Family-Based
Family relationship
Employment-Based
Job offer
Difficulty
DV Lottery
Luck-based
Family-Based
Relationship-dependent
Employment-Based
Employer-dependent
Frequently Asked Questions