If you’re hoping to move to the United States permanently but don’t have a job offer, family sponsorship, or a special visa, the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery—also called the Green Card Lottery—might be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
Every year, the U.S. government offers up to 55,000 permanent resident visas to people from countries with historically low immigration rates to the U.S. It’s completely free to apply, but understanding the process and avoiding common mistakes is very important.
This guide clearly explains everything you need to know about how to apply for the DV Lottery, what information you need, how to check your status, and how to know if you’ve been selected—using simple language and a direct, step-by-step approach that’s easy to follow.
What is the DV Lottery and Who Can Apply?
The DV Lottery is officially called the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, run every year by the U.S. Department of State. If you’re selected and meet all eligibility requirements, you’ll be given the chance to apply for a Green Card, which gives you permanent residency in the United States. This means you can live and work in the U.S. permanently, and after a few years, you may even apply for citizenship.
To apply, you must be from a country listed as eligible for the year you apply. Countries with high immigration numbers to the U.S., such as India, China, Mexico, the Philippines, and Nigeria, are usually excluded. The official eligibility list is updated each year, so you must check before applying.
In addition to your country of birth, you must have either a high school education (or equivalent) or two years of work experience within the past five years in an eligible occupation that requires at least two years of training. This is very important—many applications get disqualified because people overlook these basic requirements.
When and How to Apply for the DV Lottery
The DV Lottery is usually open once a year for about 30–35 days, typically starting in early October and ending in early November. The application must be submitted online through the official DV Lottery website:
👉 https://dvprogram.state.gov
Do not apply through third-party agents or unofficial websites that charge fees or make promises. The application is completely free, and only the official website is recognized by the U.S. government.
To apply, you’ll need to complete the online Entry Form (Form DS-5501) during the entry period. You can only submit one entry per person per year—if you submit more than one, your application will be automatically disqualified. Married couples can each submit one entry if they both meet the requirements, which clearly doubles their chances.
Information You Need to Prepare Before Applying
Before you sit down to apply, make sure you have all the correct and updated information ready. Here’s what you will clearly need:
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Full name exactly as written on your passport
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Date and place of birth
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Country of eligibility (usually your country of birth)
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Passport number, expiration date, and issuing country (mandatory unless exempt)
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Recent digital photograph of yourself, your spouse, and any children under 21 (must meet strict U.S. visa photo requirements)
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Education level
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Current marital status
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Number of children
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Mailing address and country of residence
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Phone number and email (you must keep this email active)
All details must be accurate. The U.S. government will not correct mistakes on your behalf. Even simple errors like a misspelled name, outdated photo, or missing information can lead to disqualification—even if you’re selected later.
What Happens After You Apply?
Once you successfully submit the form, the website will display a confirmation page with a unique confirmation number. You must save and print this number immediately. This number is the only way to check your status later. If you lose it, you won’t be able to check whether you were selected.
Note: You will not receive an email or letter telling you whether you were selected. The U.S. government never contacts winners directly by phone, text, or email. All applicants must check their own status using their confirmation number.
How and When to Check DV Lottery Results
DV Lottery results are usually released around May of the following year, and they stay available until the end of September of the visa processing year.
You must check your status on the official Entrant Status Check portal here:
👉 https://dvprogram.state.gov/
Click on “Check Status” and enter:
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Your confirmation number
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Your last name
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Your year of birth
If you’re selected, you’ll see a notice that says “You have been selected for further processing”, along with instructions. If you’re not selected, the website will display a simple message saying you were not chosen this time.
If selected, you are not automatically given a Green Card. It simply means you’re eligible to apply for one. Now, the real process begins.
What to Do If You’re Selected in the DV Lottery
If you are selected, the next step is to apply for your immigrant visa or adjust your status, depending on whether you’re inside or outside the U.S.
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Complete Form DS-260
You must fill out the DS-260 immigrant visa application online at the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). Make sure all information matches what you submitted in your original DV entry. -
Prepare Required Documents
You will be asked to gather several documents including:-
Valid passport
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Birth certificate
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Police certificates
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Medical examination (done by a U.S. approved doctor)
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Marriage certificate (if applicable)
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Education/work documents
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Two passport-size photographs
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Attend Visa Interview at U.S. Embassy or Consulate
You’ll be scheduled for a visa interview at your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. A consular officer will review your documents and ask you a few questions. If everything is correct and complete, they will approve your visa and place it in your passport. -
Pay Required Fees
You will be required to pay a visa fee (currently around $330) at the embassy or consulate during the interview. Do not pay any fees online unless it is directly through an official U.S. government platform. -
Travel to the U.S.
Once approved, you’ll receive a visa package. You must travel to the U.S. before the expiration date on the visa. After entering the U.S., you’ll receive your Green Card by mail.
Important Reminders About the DV Lottery Process
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Never pay anyone to “guarantee” a DV selection—the process is random and fully computerized.
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Only apply on the official website: dvprogram.state.gov
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Submitting multiple entries in one year will disqualify you.
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Your photo must be new—do not reuse photos from previous years.
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You must meet education or work experience requirements to qualify, even after selection.
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Winning the lottery does not guarantee a Green Card. You must still pass the visa interview, provide clean police records, and meet all health and legal requirements.
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Always check your status yourself using your confirmation number. The U.S. government does not email winners.
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There is a limited number of visas per region. Being selected doesn’t guarantee your visa unless you act quickly and follow instructions.
Final Thoughts
Applying for the DV Lottery can be one of the simplest and most direct ways to move to the United States, especially if you do not qualify for other visa programs. It’s free, fair, and designed to give people from underrepresented countries a real chance at starting a new life in America. But it requires careful attention to detail, clear planning, and quick action if you are selected.
Make sure you apply during the open period in October-November, submit all correct information, save your confirmation number, and check your result on time in May. If selected, be prepared to quickly submit your visa application and attend your embassy interview.
For the most reliable and updated information, always refer to the U.S. State Department’s official DV Lottery instructions and never trust unofficial sources or paid services claiming “guaranteed results.”
This could be your opportunity for a fresh start in the United States—and now you clearly know how to apply and what to expect. Good luck!
