- What is the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery? The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, often called the “Green Card Lottery,” is a U.S. government program that makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas (Green Cards) available each year. These visas are given to people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States, encouraging diversity in the U.S. immigrant population.
- When is the application period for the delayed DV-2027? Following a court ruling, a U.S. federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to open registration for the delayed DV-2027 lottery by November 1, 2026. The registration window is expected to remain open for 30 days. The exact dates will be officially announced by the U.S. Department of State on the official DV Program website (dvprogram.state.gov). It’s crucial to check this site for the official publication of dates, eligibility conditions, and application instructions before submitting an entry.
- How much does it cost to enter the DV Lottery? There is a $1 electronic registration fee to enter the Diversity Visa lottery. This non-refundable fee must be paid online through an authorized U.S. government portal at the time of your digital submission. While the registration itself requires this $1 fee, the entry process is otherwise straightforward. If you are selected, there will be a separate $330 visa application fee and other costs associated with the visa process (e.g., visa interview fees, medical exams), but those are only paid much later if you win. Be extremely wary of third-party services or websites asking for high fees or scamming you for more than the official $1 requirement. Always submit your entry and pay the fee only through the official U.S. government portal.
- What are the basic eligibility requirements? You must meet two main requirements:
- Country of Eligibility: You must be a native of a country with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. The list of eligible countries changes annually, so you must check the official country-of-chargeability rules and eligibility conditions. (For instance, applicants born in India are generally ineligible). If your birth country is ineligible, there are limited exceptions (e.g., through a spouse’s country of birth or parents’ country of birth).
- Education or Work Experience: You must meet the program’s education or work-experience criteria, which generally means either of these:
- A high school education or its equivalent (successful completion of a formal 12-year primary and secondary education comparable to a U.S. high school diploma).
- Two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.
- Do I need a passport to apply? Yes. Starting with the DV-2027 lottery, the State Department has reinstated the passport requirement. You must possess a valid, unexpired passport at the time you submit your entry. You will need to provide your passport number, country or authority of issuance, and expiration date. Furthermore, you must upload a digital scan of the biographic and signature page of your passport. This scan must be in JPEG format and cannot exceed 5 MB. Failure to comply with these passport requirements will result in your entry being disqualified. Note that this specific scan requirement only targets the primary applicant; spouses and children listed as derivatives are not required to provide a passport scan at the registration stage.
- Can I submit multiple entries? No, you can only submit one entry per person. Submitting more than one entry for yourself will result in the disqualification of all your entries. However, a husband and wife can each submit a separate entry as the primary applicant, listing the other spouse and their eligible children as derivatives on their respective entries. This legally doubles a family’s chance of selection.
- Do I need to include my family members on my application? Yes, this is critical. You must list your spouse (husband or wife) and all living unmarried children under the age of 21 at the time of your application, regardless of whether they are living with you, or intend to accompany or follow to join you in the U.S. Failure to list an eligible family member will lead to disqualification.
- What are the photo requirements? Photo requirements are very strict and a common reason for disqualification. Photos must be:
- Recent (taken within the last six months).
- In color, with a plain white or off-white background.
- Full-face view, directly facing the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
- No hats, head coverings (unless for religious purposes and do not obscure facial features), or glasses.
- Digital specifications: JPEG format, max 240 KB, 600×600 pixels, square aspect ratio. It’s highly recommended to use the U.S. Department of State’s free photo tool and/or have a professional take your photo.
- How do I know if I was selected? The U.S. Department of State will NOT notify you by mail, email, or phone. You must check your status yourself using the Entrant Status Check tool on the official DV Program website (dvprogram.state.gov). You will need your unique confirmation number that you received when you submitted your entry.
- When will the delayed DV-2027 results be available? As part of the new court-ordered timeline, the deadline for notification of results for the delayed DV-2027 lottery is set for December 3, 2026.
- What if I lose my confirmation number? Your confirmation number is essential. If you lose it, there is typically a “Forgot Confirmation Number” option on the Entrant Status Check page that allows you to retrieve it by entering your personal details.
- If I am selected, does that guarantee me a visa? No. Selection makes an individual eligible to enter the process, but actually obtaining a visa remains subject to the lottery process and the availability of visas. You must still meet all eligibility requirements under U.S. immigration law, pass security checks, and successfully complete an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Can I apply if I am already in the U.S.? Yes, you can enter the lottery from anywhere, including from within the U.S. If selected and you are legally in the U.S., you may be eligible to adjust your status to a permanent resident without leaving the country (Form I-485). However, if you entered unlawfully, your eligibility may be affected.
- What if my marital status changes after I apply? If your marital status changes (e.g., you get married or divorced) after you submit your entry but before you are issued a visa, you must update your information truthfully. This can impact your application and any derivative family members.
- Can I reapply if I’m not selected? Yes. If you are not selected, you can apply again in subsequent years, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. There is no limit to how many times you can apply.
Always refer to the official U.S. Department of State website (dvprogram.state.gov) for the most accurate and up-to-date information.