The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery is a U.S. immigration program offering up to 50,000 permanent resident visas (Green Cards) annually to people from countries with historically low immigration to the United States. Before diving into details, use our free Eligibility Checker tool right below to see if you might qualify
Legal Disclaimer: We are an independent provider of general information about the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery. We are not affiliated with the U.S. government or any U.S. government agency. The results of this Eligibility Checker are informal and do not guarantee acceptance into the DV Lottery program.
What Is the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery?
After checking your eligibility above, you may still want to learn the basics. The DV Lottery—sometimes called the “Green Card Lottery”—is designed to encourage diversity in the U.S. immigrant population by offering visas to people from countries with low immigration rates to the United States. Key points include:
- 50,000 Visas Per Year: The program makes 50,000 immigrant visas available via random selection.
- Randomized Selection: Winners are chosen by a computer-generated lottery.
- No Entry Fee: Submitting an entry during the open registration period is free. However, selected applicants pay government fees in later steps.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
- Country of Birth
- The Department of State annually lists countries that are ineligible for the DV Lottery due to high immigration rates. If you were born in one of these countries, you typically cannot apply—unless you can “charge” your application to the country of your spouse or parent (a known exception).
- Education or Work Experience
- You must have at least a high school education or its equivalent, or
- Two years of qualifying work experience in the last five years in an occupation requiring specialized training.
- Passport and Photo Requirements
- In recent years, applicants needed a valid passport to enter the lottery, plus a photo meeting strict DV Lottery specifications (background, dimensions, etc.).
Always confirm these requirements on the official website at dvprogram.state.gov to ensure they haven’t changed.
Common Mistakes & Tips for Success
- Multiple Entries: Submitting more than one entry in a single DV Lottery year leads to disqualification.
- Missed Deadlines: The application window usually opens for a few weeks each fall—late submissions aren’t accepted.
- Photo Errors: Photos must meet strict criteria or the entry will be disqualified.
Why an Eligibility Checker?
Because the rules can be confusing—especially around which countries are ineligible—an Eligibility Checker like the one at the top of this page helps you do a quick self-assessment. It checks:
- Your Country of Birth (eligible vs. ineligible)
- Your Education or Work Experience (must have at least one for eligibility)
While it won’t guarantee you a spot in the DV Lottery if you pass, it can help save you time if you discover you’re clearly ineligible based on country or background.
Official U.S. Government Links
For the most accurate and updated information:
- DV Lottery Program Website: dvprogram.state.gov
- U.S. Department of State: state.gov
Conclusion & Final Reminders
If the checker indicates you may be eligible, your next step is to apply during the official DV Lottery entry period through the U.S. Department of State’s website. If you discover you don’t meet the country or education/work experience requirement, you can avoid wasting time on an application that won’t go anywhere.
Good luck on your journey! And don’t forget:
- Keep track of official deadlines.
- Only trust information from official sources or reputable legal advisors.
- Bookmark this page or share the Eligibility Checker link with friends or family who might also be interested in the DV Lottery.
Want to Support Us?
If you’d like to help, feel free to fuel our work with a coffee or two—every bit keeps us going! Thank you for being an awesome part of our community!
www.dvlotteryusa.com offers general, educational information regarding the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery. We are not affiliated with the U.S. government or any U.S. government agency. The content is not intended as legal advice and should not be construed as such. Regulations can change at any time; for official updates, consult dvprogram.state.gov or professional legal counsel.
