Who this is for
- People born in a country on that year's eligible list; the list changes each program year and is published in the official instructions.
- In some cases, people born in an ineligible country who can claim a spouse's or a parent's country of birth under the program rules.
- Entrants with at least a high school education or its equivalent, or qualifying work experience in an occupation that requires training or experience, as defined in the instructions.
- People living abroad or in the U.S.; those already in the U.S. may in some cases apply to adjust status if they are eligible.
- A selectee's spouse and unmarried children under 21, who can generally apply as derivatives if they were listed on the entry.
Forms involved
| Form | Official name | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| E-DV entry | Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form | The free online entry submitted at dvprogram.state.gov during the official registration period. |
| DS-260 | Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application | Completed online by each selectee and derivative family member who applies for an immigrant visa. |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Filed with USCIS by an eligible selectee who is in the U.S. and applies to adjust status instead of going to a consulate. |
| I-693 | Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record | Medical exam by a USCIS civil surgeon for those adjusting status in the U.S.; consular applicants see a panel physician instead. |
Step by step
- Read the official instructionsEach program year the State Department publishes instructions with the eligible countries, the registration dates and the photo rules. Check the official travel.state.gov DV page before entering.
- Submit one entry onlineEnter only at dvprogram.state.gov during the registration period, listing your spouse and all unmarried children under 21. Keep your confirmation number, since it is the only way to check results.
- Check Entrant Status CheckResults are posted only on the official Entrant Status Check page using your confirmation number. The State Department does not notify winners by email or letter.
- Complete Form DS-260Selectees who want to apply submit the DS-260 for themselves and each family member applying, and gather civil documents.
- Interview or adjustment of statusConsular applicants are scheduled for an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate when their case number is reached in the Visa Bulletin. Eligible applicants in the U.S. may file Form I-485 with USCIS instead.
- Finish before the fiscal year endsDiversity visas and DV-based green cards must generally be issued or approved by the end of the program's fiscal year, after which the selection expires.
Documents usually requested
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate for the selectee and each family member
- High school diploma and transcripts, or proof of qualifying work experience
- Marriage certificate and proof that any prior marriages ended
- Birth certificates of children, and adoption or custody papers if relevant
- Police certificates from countries of residence, as required by the State Department
- Court and prison records, and military records, if applicable
- Medical exam results from an approved doctor
- Evidence of financial support, to show the applicant is not likely to become a public charge
- Photos that meet the State Department's requirements
How long it takes
Timing depends on the case number assigned at selection, the monthly Visa Bulletin, consulate or USCIS workload and how quickly documents are ready. Because selections expire at the end of the fiscal year, delays on the applicant's side can mean losing the chance entirely.
Government filing fees
Entering the lottery has historically been free on the official site, but registration rules were under review in 2025, so check dvprogram.state.gov for the current rules. Selectees who apply pay a diversity visa fee to the State Department, and those adjusting in the U.S. pay USCIS fees for forms such as the I-485; see travel.state.gov and uscis.gov/g-1055 for current amounts.
Working and traveling while you wait
Entering the lottery does not give any right to travel to, stay in or work in the U.S. Selectees who adjust status in the U.S. can generally ask for a work permit and advance parole while the I-485 is pending.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a fake or look-alike website, or paying someone to "guarantee" a win; only dvprogram.state.gov is official and the drawing is random.
- Submitting more than one entry for the same person, which generally leads to disqualification.
- Leaving out a spouse or an eligible child on the entry, even one who will not immigrate, which can disqualify the case.
- Uploading a photo that does not meet the requirements, or an old or edited photo.
- Losing the confirmation number, or waiting too long after selection to submit the DS-260 and documents.
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Is the green card lottery free?
Entering the Diversity Visa lottery has historically been free on the official State Department website, dvprogram.state.gov, and any change to that is announced there. Anyone selling a better chance of winning or charging to 'guarantee' a green card is not the government. Visa fees only come later, if a selectee applies.
How do I know if I won the DV lottery?
You can only find out by checking Entrant Status Check on the official dvprogram.state.gov site with your confirmation number. The State Department does not send emails or letters telling people they won, so messages claiming you were selected are a common scam.
Does winning the lottery mean I get a green card?
No, selection only gives you the chance to apply. More people are selected than there are visas, and each selectee must still meet the education or work requirement, pass background and medical checks, and finish the process before the fiscal year ends.
Can I apply for the DV lottery if I am already in the U.S.?
Yes, people in the U.S. can generally enter if they were born in an eligible country and meet the requirements. If selected, some may adjust status with USCIS using Form I-485, while others go through a consulate abroad; an attorney can review which path fits.
Is the DV program open this year?
It depends on the program year, and the schedule has recently changed. In late 2025 the State Department postponed the DV-2027 registration and the program was later paused, so always check the official travel.state.gov Diversity Visa page for the current status before trying to enter.
Official sources
Last reviewed: October 2026
These guides have been reviewed by MyUSVisa counsel. They are provided as is: immigration laws and regulations change often, and like any written communication, this information may contain errors or typos. MyUSVisa is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; reading a guide does not create an attorney–client relationship. Only the information on the official USCIS website (uscis.gov) applies — always verify it there, especially if in doubt.