Preparation
Gather the following information and documents before you begin the DV Lottery application. Having everything ready will help you complete the form accurately and avoid mistakes.
Your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your passport), date of birth, and city/country of birth.
Full names, dates of birth, and cities of birth for your spouse and all unmarried children under 21 — even if they won't immigrate with you.
Your highest level of education completed. You'll need to select from predefined options (primary, high school, university, etc.).
Your country of birth and, if different, the country you're claiming eligibility through (e.g., spouse's country of birth).
A recent photo meeting U.S. Department of State requirements: 600×600 pixels, white background, taken within the last 6 months.
Prepare a safe place to store your confirmation number immediately after submission — you cannot recover it if lost.
Form Instructions
The official DV Lottery form on dvprogram.state.gov contains the following fields. Here's how to fill each one correctly:
Photo Requirements
The photo is one of the most critical parts of your application. Incorrect photos are the leading cause of disqualification.
Must be taken within the last 6 months. Old photos will be rejected.
Exactly 600×600 pixels. The image must be square and in JPEG format.
White or off-white background only. No patterns, shadows, or other people visible.
No filters, retouching, or digital alterations. No glasses (even clear ones), no hats, no head coverings (except religious).
Common Mistakes
Avoid these errors that frequently lead to disqualification or visa denial:
Using a photo that doesn't meet the exact pixel, background, or recency requirements. Always validate your photo using the official tool before submitting.
Submitting more than one entry per person. This will disqualify ALL your entries. Each person may submit only one entry per year.
Failing to list your spouse or any unmarried children under 21. All family members must be included, even if they won't immigrate.
Names that don't match your passport exactly. Any discrepancy between your application and official documents can lead to visa denial.
Selecting a country you are not eligible to claim. If your birth country is excluded, you can only claim through your spouse's eligible birth country.
Not saving the confirmation number immediately after submission. Without it, you cannot check your results. There is absolutely no way to recover it.
After Submission
Once you've submitted your DV Lottery application, here's what to expect:
Immediately save, screenshot, and write down your confirmation number. Store it in at least 2–3 different places. This is the only way to check your results.
Starting in May, go to dvprogram.state.gov and enter your confirmation number to check if you were selected. This is the ONLY way to find out.
The U.S. Department of State does NOT send selection results by email, letter, or phone. If you receive any such notification, it is a scam.
Only use dvprogram.state.gov. Scammers create fake websites that look official. Never pay anyone who claims to offer lottery results or guaranteed entry.
Frequently Asked Questions