What is the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery?
The DV Lottery, also called the Green Card Lottery, is an annual program run by the U.S. Department of State. It makes up to 55,000 permanent resident visas available to people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
When can I apply for the DV-2027 Lottery?
The online application period for the DV-2027 Lottery is expected to open in early October 2025 and run for about 4 weeks. The exact dates will be announced by the U.S. Department of State, just a few days before the application period opens. Check our homepage for updates and countdown.
How much does it cost to apply?
There is no cost to submit an entry. The official application is free at the U.S. State Department’s website: https://dvprogram.state.gov.
Who is eligible to apply?
You must be a native of an eligible country and meet basic education or work experience requirements (at least a high school education or equivalent, or qualifying work experience).
Can I submit more than one entry?
No. Submitting more than one entry per person in the same year will disqualify you. However a married couple may submit two entries in total, one per person, effectively doubling their chances.
What are the photograph requirements?
Photos must be recent (taken within the last 6 months), in color, against a plain background, and meet strict size and composition rules. Incorrect photos are one of the main reasons applications are rejected. Check out this page on our website, for more information about the photograph requirements – Photograph Requirements.
Do I need a lawyer or agent to apply?
No. The process is designed for individuals to complete themselves. However, some people choose to consult an immigration attorney for guidance, especially if they are selected after entering. If you find the initial application process confusing in any way, you may also wish to seek assistance from an immigration attorney, or simply from someone who has been through the Green Card Visa application process themselves, in order to be sure that your entry is correct and that you have not omitted anything.
How do I know if I have been selected?
Results are announced during the first weeks of May, in the year following the application. You must check your status online at https://dvprogram.state.gov. You will need your reference number which you will have received after submitting your entry, in order to check if you have been selected. The U.S. government does not send email or postal notifications, and if you receive any such email or postal notification from anyone who you do not know or trust, you can be sure that it is someone trying to SCAM you, and you should ignore them.
What happens if I am selected?
If you are selected, you may then apply for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status. Selection does not guarantee a visa; you must still meet all eligibility requirements and attend a U.S. consulate interview.
How many Green Cards are available each year?
Approximately 55,000 Diversity Visas are issued each year, divided among eligible countries and regions.
What are the chances of winning?
It varies by country and year, but the global average chance of selection is typically between 1% and 3%. But certain countries can offer much better chances of winning. For example when the creator of this website entered the lottery from South Africa in 1996, the chance of winning was approximately 1 in 120, and he won.
Fun Fact: If you’re from South Africa, your approximate odds of being selected in the Green Card Lottery are about 1 in 120 — that’s roughly 353,000 times better than your chances of winning the South African PowerBall PLUS jackpot (which has odds of 1 in over 42 million!). These numbers depend on the number of people who enter the Green Card Lottery from that country in that year, but you get the idea – you would have a much higher chance of winning a Diversity Visa, than you will ever have of winning a typical financial lottery. That same truth applies to most eligible countries.
Can I apply if I am already in the U.S.?
Yes. If you are in the U.S. on another visa, you can still apply. If selected, you may be eligible for “adjustment of status” instead of consular processing abroad. However it is also possible that you may be required to travel to your home country for your interview at a U.S. Consular Office in your home country. This will usually be approximately six to ten months after you have been notified that you are a winner.
What are common reasons entries are disqualified?
- Submitting more than one entry per person
- Incorrect or non-compliant photographs
- Missing required information
- Claiming eligibility from the wrong country
Any other questions?
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This site is not in any way affiliated with the U.S. government.
It was created to provide free information for Green Card Diversity Visa Lottery entrants.
The information provided here is believed to be accurate at the time of posting, but is subject to change by the US State Department at any time. The most accurate information can always be found directly on the US State Department Diversity lottery website, at https://www.usa.gov/green-card-lottery