Immigrant Ally

Diversity Visa (DV Lottery)

Wait required

Quick Summary

  • Who: People from countries with historically low immigration to the U.S.
  • Wait time: Wait required (~12–18 (after selection) months)
  • Total estimated time: 12–18 (after selection) months

Description

The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery — also called the "Green Card Lottery" — gives 55,000 immigrant visas each year to people from countries that have historically sent few immigrants to the United States. You enter a free online lottery once a year. If selected, you can apply for a green card. Selection does not guarantee a green card, but it is a tremendous opportunity — it is one of the only paths that is available to many people regardless of family or employer ties in the U.S.

Who Qualifies

Timeline

Total estimated time: months

Step-by-Step Process

1

Submit your FREE entry online during the registration period

Applicant

Go to dvlottery.state.gov (the OFFICIAL U.S. government website) during the registration period. Fill out the form completely and accurately. Submit ONE entry per person — submitting more than one entry per person in the same year will disqualify you. Required at entry: • Your name (exactly as on passport) • Date and place of birth • Photo (following strict requirements — must be a recent photo taken within the last 6 months, plain white background) • Country of chargeability (where you were born) • Current country of residence • Education or work experience

Form Electronic Diversity Visa Entry (edv.state.gov)0
2

Check results — starting in May

Applicant

Check your entry status ONLY at dvlottery.state.gov using the confirmation number you received when you registered. Results are NOT sent by mail or email. SCAM WARNING: You will NOT receive a letter, email, or phone call telling you that you won. Anyone who contacts you and says "you won the green card lottery" is running a scam. Always check yourself at the official website.

3

If selected: submit immigrant visa application (DS-260)

Applicant

If selected, you do NOT have a green card yet — you have only been selected for possible consideration. You must now: (1) Notify the State Department that you wish to proceed. (2) Submit documents to the National Visa Center (NVC). (3) Pay the immigrant visa fee ($330 to the State Department). (4) Complete Form DS-260 online at ceac.state.gov. (5) Submit all required civil documents.

$330
4

Complete medical exam in your home country

Applicant

Schedule a medical exam with a State Department-approved panel physician in the country where you will have your consular interview. Find approved physicians at travel.state.gov.

5

Attend consular interview at U.S. embassy

Applicant

The State Department will schedule your interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Bring all original documents and the sealed medical exam envelope. NOTE: Selection does NOT guarantee a visa. You can still be denied at the consular interview if you are found inadmissible (criminal history, certain health issues, etc.).

6

Travel to the United States

Applicant

Your passport will be stamped with an immigrant visa. Travel to the U.S. BEFORE September 30 — all DV visas expire on that date. Upon entry, CBP will confirm your admission as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

7

Receive green card

USCIS

Green card mailed to your U.S. address within 30–60 days.

If You Are Already Inside the U.S.

If you are selected while already inside the United States on a valid visa, you may be able to adjust status using I-485 instead of going through consular processing. Consult an immigration lawyer — there are specific requirements and timing issues.

Application Checklist

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Letter Templates

Tips to Speed Up and Prevent Denial

🔴 Avoid Denial

  • Submit only ONE entry per person. The State Department uses sophisticated systems to detect duplicate entries. If you submit more than one entry, ALL your entries will be disqualified — even if you are selected. One entry per person per year. Period.
  • Being selected is only the first step. You can still be denied a visa if you are found "inadmissible" at the consular interview. Common bars to admissibility include: certain criminal convictions, certain medical conditions, prior immigration violations, and misrepresentation on any immigration form. Be honest throughout the entire process.

🔵 Quality

  • Get the photo right. The photo requirements are very specific. A photo taken by a professional photographer who knows the U.S. visa photo requirements will save you from disqualification. The photo must be: recent (within 6 months), full face, white or off-white background, 2"x2" square, not wearing glasses.
  • Enter the lottery EVERY YEAR if you are eligible. Your chances of winning in any single year are low (typically 1–5% of applicants win), but your chances over many years of trying are significantly better. Enter each year during the registration period.

🟢 Speed

  • If selected, MOVE FAST. There is a "case number" assigned to each winner. Low case numbers are processed first. Even high case numbers may get visas before September 30. But if you delay and your number is not reached by September 30, you lose everything. Start the process the same week you are notified.