The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery — commonly known as the “Green Card Lottery” — is the United States’ unique immigration program that awards up to 55,000 permanent resident visas annually through a random selection process. It’s open to nationals of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S., making it one of the few pathways where you don’t need employer sponsorship, family ties, or exceptional skills. If you’re selected, you get a shot at a green card for just the cost of processing fees.
Not sure if the DV Lottery is right for you? Take our 2-minute USA Visa Match quiz to see all U.S. immigration routes you qualify for.
Overview
The DV program was established by the Immigration Act of 1990 to promote diversity in the U.S. immigrant population. Each year, the State Department conducts the lottery during a registration window (typically October-November), with results announced the following May. Selected applicants can then apply for their immigrant visa.
Key facts: registration is completely free, no immigration attorney is needed to apply, and each person can only submit one entry per year (duplicate entries result in disqualification).
Eligibility Requirements
Country of birth requirement: You must be a native of an eligible country. Countries with more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years are excluded. Currently excluded countries include: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland), and Vietnam. The list is updated annually.
Education or work requirement: You must have either:
- A high school diploma or equivalent (12 years of formal education), OR
- Two years of qualifying work experience within the last five years in an occupation that requires at least 2 years of training or experience (as defined by the O*NET database).
There is no age limit, no language requirement, and no financial threshold.
How to Apply
- Wait for the registration window. The DV-2027 lottery (for fiscal year 2027) registration typically opens in early October 2025 and closes in early November 2025. Check dvprogram.state.gov for exact dates.
- Submit your entry online at dvprogram.state.gov (the only official website). You’ll need: a recent passport-style digital photo (600×600 pixels, white background), your personal details, and education/work information.
- Save your confirmation number. This is critical — you need it to check your results. There is no other way to retrieve it.
- Check results the following May at dvprogram.state.gov using your confirmation number. The State Department does NOT notify winners by email or mail.
- If selected: Submit Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) online, gather supporting documents, and attend a visa interview at your local U.S. embassy.
- If approved: Pay the immigrant visa fee, receive your visa, and enter the United States before it expires (typically within 6 months).
Costs and Fees
- Lottery registration: Completely free — never pay anyone for registration
- DS-260 processing fee: $330 per person
- USCIS Immigrant Fee: $220 per person (paid after visa approval, before green card is mailed)
- Medical exam: $100-$400 depending on country
- Document translation and notarization: $100-$500
- Police clearance certificates: Varies by country
Total cost if selected: approximately $750-$1,500 per person. This makes the DV Lottery by far the most affordable green card pathway.
Timeline
- Registration: October-November (one month window)
- Results announced: Following May (about 6 months after registration)
- DS-260 submission and document gathering: 1-3 months after selection
- Interview scheduling: Varies — typically 3-12 months after selection, depending on embassy capacity and your case number
- Visa validity: Must enter the U.S. before September 30 of the fiscal year
From registration to landing in the U.S.: approximately 12-24 months.
Important Rules and Warnings
- Only ONE entry per person per year. Multiple entries = automatic disqualification. If you’re married, each spouse can submit separately (increasing your household’s chances), but each person can only submit once.
- The only official website is dvprogram.state.gov. Any other website charging fees for “registration” is a scam.
- Selection does not guarantee a visa. Being selected means you’re eligible to apply. You still must pass the interview, background checks, and medical exam. Roughly 100,000-120,000 applicants are selected for 55,000 visas (to account for those who don’t complete the process).
- Case numbers matter. Selected applicants receive a case number. Lower numbers are processed first. If your number is very high, you may not be scheduled for an interview before the September 30 deadline.
- Photo requirements are strict. Many entries are disqualified for incorrect photos. Follow the exact specifications on the official website.
Tips to Maximize Your Chances
- Enter every year. The odds are low (typically 0.3-0.5% per entry), but they compound over time. Entering annually for 10 years gives you roughly a 3-5% cumulative probability.
- Have your spouse enter too. If both you and your spouse are from eligible countries, submit separate entries. If either is selected, the entire family gets green cards.
- Cross-chargeability: If you were born in an ineligible country but your spouse was born in an eligible one, you can “charge” your entry to your spouse’s country of birth.
- Prepare documents early. If selected, you’ll need education transcripts, police certificates, birth certificates, and passport-quality photos. Having these ready saves crucial time.
- Act immediately when selected. Submit DS-260 and schedule your interview as quickly as possible. Delays can push you past the September 30 deadline.
Avoiding Scams
The DV Lottery attracts many scams. Remember: registration is always free at dvprogram.state.gov. The U.S. government will never email you to say you’ve won. Any website, agent, or “immigration consultant” charging you to submit your entry is taking your money for something you can do yourself in 10 minutes. If selected, you may want an immigration attorney to help with the DS-260 and interview preparation — but the initial entry should always be submitted directly by you.