- What is the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery? The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, often called the “Green Card Lottery,” is a U.S. government program that makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas (Green Cards) available each year. These visas are given to people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States, encouraging diversity in the U.S. immigrant population.
- When is the application period for DV-2027? The online registration period for DV-2027 is expected to open in early October 2025 and close in early November 2025. The exact dates will be officially announced by the U.S. Department of State on the official DV Program website (dvprogram.state.gov). It’s crucial to check this site for the precise opening and closing times.
- How much does it cost to enter the DV Lottery? It is absolutely FREE to enter the Diversity Visa lottery. Do not pay any fees to register for the lottery. If you are selected, there will be fees associated with the visa application process itself (e.g., visa interview fees), but these are only paid much later in the process. Be extremely wary of any service that asks for money to simply submit your entry.
- What are the basic eligibility requirements for DV-2027? You must meet two main requirements:
- Country of Eligibility: You must be a native of a country with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. The list of eligible countries changes annually, so you must check the official DV-2027 instructions when they are released in October 2025. If your birth country is ineligible, there are limited exceptions (e.g., through a spouse’s country of birth or parents’ country of birth) – see the official instructions for “chargeability” rules.
- Education or Work Experience: You must meet either of these:
- A high school education or its equivalent (successful completion of a formal 12-year primary and secondary education comparable to a U.S. high school diploma). GEDs or similar equivalency certificates are generally not accepted.
- Two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net Online database (Job Zone 4 or 5, with an SVP of 7.0 or higher).
- Do I need a passport to apply for DV-2027? No. The Trump-era “passport rule” that required a valid passport to submit an initial DV entry has been overturned. You are not required to have a valid passport when you submit your DV-2027 entry.
- Can I submit multiple entries for DV-2027? No, you can only submit one entry per person. Submitting more than one entry for yourself will result in the disqualification of all your entries. However, a husband and wife can each submit a separate entry as the primary applicant, listing the other spouse and their eligible children as derivatives on their respective entries. This legally doubles a family’s chance of selection.
- Do I need to include my family members on my application? Yes, this is critical. You must list your spouse (husband or wife) and all living unmarried children under the age of 21 at the time of your application, regardless of whether they are living with you, or intend to accompany or follow to join you in the U.S. Failure to list an eligible family member will lead to disqualification.
- What are the photo requirements? Photo requirements are very strict and a common reason for disqualification. Photos must be:
- Recent (taken within the last six months).
- In color, with a plain white or off-white background.
- Full-face view, directly facing the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
- No hats, head coverings (unless for religious purposes and do not obscure facial features), or glasses.
- Digital specifications: JPEG format, max 240 KB, 600×600 pixels, square aspect ratio. It’s highly recommended to use the U.S. Department of State’s free photo tool and/or have a professional take your photo.
- How do I know if I was selected for DV-2027? The U.S. Department of State will NOT notify you by mail, email, or phone. You must check your status yourself using the Entrant Status Check tool on the official DV Program website (dvprogram.state.gov). You will need your unique confirmation number that you received when you submitted your entry.
- When will the DV-2027 results be available? The results for DV-2027 are typically made public in May 2026. The exact date will be specified on the official website.
- What if I lose my confirmation number? Your confirmation number is essential. If you lose it, there is typically a “Forgot Confirmation Number” option on the Entrant Status Check page that allows you to retrieve it by entering your personal details.
- If I am selected, does that guarantee me a visa? No. Selection means you are eligible to proceed with the visa application process. You must still meet all eligibility requirements under U.S. immigration law, pass security checks, and successfully complete an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. More people are selected than visas available, so it’s important to act quickly if you are selected.
- Can I apply if I am already in the U.S.? Yes, you can enter the lottery from anywhere, including from within the U.S. If selected and you are legally in the U.S., you may be eligible to adjust your status to a permanent resident without leaving the country (Form I-485). However, if you entered unlawfully, your eligibility may be affected.
- What if my marital status changes after I apply? If your marital status changes (e.g., you get married or divorced) after you submit your entry but before you are issued a visa, you must update your information truthfully. This can impact your application and any derivative family members.
- Can I reapply if I’m not selected for DV-2027? Yes. If you are not selected, you can apply again in subsequent years, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. There is no limit to how many times you can apply.
Always refer to the official U.S. Department of State website (dvprogram.state.gov) for the most accurate and up-to-date information.