Unlock Your American Dream: Complete Guide to the Diversity Visa (DV) Program
The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, also known as the Green Card Lottery, is an annual program run by the U.S. Department of State. It offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas each year to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. This program promotes diversity by giving people from underrepresented countries a chance to become permanent residents of the U.S.
Who Is Eligible?
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1. Country of Birth
Applicants must be natives of eligible countries with low recent U.S. immigration rates. The list of eligible countries changes yearly based on immigration statistics from the past five years.
Countries excluded for the current cycle include:
Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong), Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
Exceptions:
If your spouse was born in an eligible country, you may claim your spouse’s country of birth on your application, provided you and your spouse are both named on the selected entry and enter the U.S. together.
If neither of your parents was born or legally resident in your country of birth at the time of your birth, you may claim the country of birth of one of your parents if it is eligible.
Note: Natives of Macau SAR and Taiwan remain eligible. The United Kingdom and its dependent territories have also become eligible recently.
2. Education or Work Experience
Applicants must meet one of the following:
Education: Successful completion of a formal course of elementary and secondary education comparable to a U.S. high school diploma (12 years of schooling). Equivalency certificates like the GED are not accepted.
Work Experience: At least two years of qualifying work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience. Qualifying occupations are defined by the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net Online database and must be classified as Job Zone 4 or 5 with a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) rating of 7.0 or higher.
Only the principal applicant must meet these requirements; spouses and children do not need to qualify separately.
How to Apply
Registration Period: The application period typically opens annually in early October and closes in early November. For example, the DV-2026 registration was open from October 2, 2024, to November 7, 2024.
Application Method: Applications must be submitted online only at the official website: dvprogram.state.gov. Paper applications are not accepted.
One Entry Per Person: Submitting more than one entry disqualifies all entries for that person.
No Fee to Enter: There is no cost to submit your application. Fees are required only if you are selected and proceed with the visa application process.
Confirmation Number: After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation number. Keep this number safe; it is required to check your application status online.
Registration Period: The application period typically opens annually in early October and closes in early November. For example, the DV-2026 registration was open from October 2, 2024, to November 7, 2024.
Application Method: Applications must be submitted online only at the official website: dvprogram.state.gov. Paper applications are not accepted.
One Entry Per Person: Submitting more than one entry disqualifies all entries for that person.
No Fee to Enter: There is no cost to submit your application. Fees are required only if you are selected and proceed with the visa application process.
Confirmation Number: After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation number. Keep this number safe; it is required to check your application status online.
Selection Process & Visa Issuance
Winners are randomly selected by a computerized lottery system.
Visas are distributed among six geographic regions, with no single country receiving more than 7% of the total available visas.
Selected applicants (selectees) must prove eligibility, pass background and medical examinations, and complete an in-person visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Visas must be issued by September 30 of the fiscal year for which the lottery was held; unused visas cannot be carried over.
Winners are randomly selected by a computerized lottery system.
Visas are distributed among six geographic regions, with no single country receiving more than 7% of the total available visas.
Selected applicants (selectees) must prove eligibility, pass background and medical examinations, and complete an in-person visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Visas must be issued by September 30 of the fiscal year for which the lottery was held; unused visas cannot be carried over.
Important Tips & Warnings
Avoid Scams: The U.S. government does not notify winners by email or phone. Always use official government websites ending in “.gov” for applications and information.
Photo Requirements: Use a recent photo taken within the last six months that meets the official specifications. Using old or incorrect photos can lead to disqualification.
Check Your Status: Starting in May of the year following your application, check your status online at dvprogram.state.gov using your confirmation number.
Do Not Apply If You Don’t Qualify: If you do not meet the education or work experience requirements, it is advised not to apply, as fees paid later in the process are non-refundable.
Avoid Scams: The U.S. government does not notify winners by email or phone. Always use official government websites ending in “.gov” for applications and information.
Photo Requirements: Use a recent photo taken within the last six months that meets the official specifications. Using old or incorrect photos can lead to disqualification.
Check Your Status: Starting in May of the year following your application, check your status online at dvprogram.state.gov using your confirmation number.
Do Not Apply If You Don’t Qualify: If you do not meet the education or work experience requirements, it is advised not to apply, as fees paid later in the process are non-refundable.
Summary Table
Feature Details Number of Visas Up to 55,000 annually Eligibility Native of eligible country + education or work experience Application Period Annually, usually October–November Application Method Online only at dvprogram.state.gov Entry Fee None (fees apply after selection) Selection Method Random computerized lottery Visa Issuance Deadline By September 30 of the fiscal year Official Website dvprogram.state.gov
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Visas | Up to 55,000 annually |
| Eligibility | Native of eligible country + education or work experience |
| Application Period | Annually, usually October–November |
| Application Method | Online only at dvprogram.state.gov |
| Entry Fee | None (fees apply after selection) |
| Selection Method | Random computerized lottery |
| Visa Issuance Deadline | By September 30 of the fiscal year |
| Official Website | dvprogram.state.gov |
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