Diversity Visa Lottery: Complete Guide to the Green Card Lottery

Updated April 2026 · By the VisaCalcs Team

The Diversity Visa Lottery, commonly called the green card lottery, provides 55,000 immigrant visas annually to nationals of countries with historically low immigration to the United States. It is the only immigration pathway that does not require an employer sponsor, family connection, or extraordinary qualifications. For millions of people around the world, it represents the most accessible path to American permanent residency. But the process is more complex than simply applying and winning. This guide covers eligibility rules, application strategy, what happens after selection, and common mistakes that disqualify applicants.

Eligibility Requirements

To enter the DV Lottery, you must be a native of an eligible country. High-immigration countries like India, China, Mexico, Brazil, and the Philippines are excluded. Eligibility is based on country of birth, not citizenship. If your country is ineligible, you may charge to an eligible spouse's country of birth or to a parent's country of birth in certain circumstances.

You must also have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, or two years of work experience in an occupation requiring at least two years of training within the past five years. The work experience must match occupations classified under the O*NET Online database at SVP level 7.0 or higher.

• Born in an eligible country (list changes annually)
• High school diploma or equivalent, OR
• Two years qualifying work experience in the past five years
• No criminal disqualifications or immigration violations
• One entry per person per year (duplicates disqualify)

Application Process and Timeline

The DV Lottery registration period opens in early October and closes in early November each year. Applications are submitted only through the official State Department website at dvlottery.state.gov. There is no fee to apply. Any website charging a fee to submit your entry is a scam.

Results are typically available in May the following year through the Entrant Status Check on the State Department website. USCIS and the State Department do not notify winners by email or mail. If selected, you must complete DS-260 immigrant visa forms, gather civil documents, and attend a consular interview, all before September 30 of the fiscal year or your selection expires.

Maximizing Your Chances

Each eligible individual may submit exactly one entry per year. Submitting multiple entries disqualifies you. However, if you are married and both spouses are from eligible countries, each spouse can submit a separate entry listing the other as a derivative, effectively doubling your household chances.

Photo requirements are a common reason for disqualification. The photo must be recent (within 6 months), 600 by 600 pixels, in color, with a plain light background. No glasses are allowed in the photo. Use the State Department photo validation tool to check your photo before submitting.

After Selection: The Interview Process

Selection does not guarantee a visa. Roughly 100,000 to 120,000 applicants are selected for 55,000 slots. Your case number determines your interview order. Lower numbers are interviewed earlier, and higher numbers may not be reached before the September 30 deadline.

The consular interview requires a complete DS-260 application, civil documents including birth certificates, police clearances, educational credentials, and a medical examination. Processing times for documents in some countries can take months, so begin gathering documents immediately upon selection. Missing the interview deadline means losing your selection permanently.