The only official way to check your Diversity Visa Lottery results is through the Entrant Status Check at dvprogram.state.gov — it is free and takes less than 2 minutes. Below are the exact steps, common mistakes that lock people out, and what to do next whether you are selected or not.
Step-by-Step
Navigate to dvprogram.state.gov — this is the ONLY official website for checking DV Lottery results. Do not use any other website, as there are many scam sites that impersonate the State Department. The official site is free. You will never be asked to pay to check your results.
On the homepage, look for the "Entrant Status Check" link. It will be clearly labeled. Click it to proceed to the verification form. The link is typically available from early May through at least September 30 of the same year.
You will need the confirmation number you received when you originally submitted your DV Lottery entry. This is a 16-character alphanumeric code. If you lost your confirmation number, there is no way to recover it — the State Department does not provide replacement confirmation numbers. This is why it is critical to save your confirmation number immediately after submitting your entry.
You will also need to enter your last/family name, and your year of birth exactly as you entered them on your original application. These must match precisely — even small differences (such as a middle name included or excluded) can prevent you from accessing your results.
After entering all information, click "Submit." The system will display one of two results: "You have been selected" (congratulations — you have been randomly chosen for further processing) or "You have not been selected" (you were not chosen in this year's lottery, but you can apply again next year). If selected, the page will also display further instructions for scheduling your immigrant visa interview.
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Avoid These Errors
The ONLY official site is dvprogram.state.gov. Scammers create convincing lookalike sites that charge fees or steal personal data. The U.S. government never charges a fee to check DV Lottery results.
Without your confirmation number, you cannot check your results. The State Department does not reissue confirmation numbers under any circumstances. Save it in multiple secure locations immediately after applying.
Results are typically available from early May. Checking before this date will show no results. The Entrant Status Check remains available through at least September 30, but waiting too long could mean missing critical deadlines if you are selected.
Your name and year of birth must match your original application exactly. Even minor discrepancies — like using a nickname instead of your legal name — will prevent the system from finding your entry.
The U.S. government does NOT notify winners by email, phone, or social media. If you receive an email saying you won the DV Lottery, it is a scam. The only way to verify your selection is through the official Entrant Status Check.
Critical Dates
| Event | When |
|---|---|
| DV Lottery Registration Opens | Early October |
| Registration Closes | Early November |
| Results Available | Early May (following year) |
| DS-260 Submission Deadline | As soon as possible after selection |
| Visa Interview | Varies by case number and embassy |
| Fiscal Year Deadline | September 30 |
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