Last updated:
Green Card Lottery: What You Need to Know
Starting a new life in the United States is a dream for many, and the Green Card Lottery makes it a possibility. A Green Card is an official document that allows you to live and work anywhere in the U.S. permanently.
This opportunity is officially known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) program, run by the U.S. Department of State. Its goal is to welcome people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S., which helps increase the diversity of the American population.
It is completely free to enter the lottery on the official government website. This guide explains what the program is, who can enter, and how to apply safely.
Who Can Enter? Checking Your Eligibility in 2 Simple Steps
The Green Card Lottery has two main eligibility requirements set by the U.S. government. You can enter if you meet both of the following conditions:
1. Your Country of Birth The first rule is based on your birth country, not your current residence or citizenship. The program is for people from countries with historically low immigration rates to the U.S. This list of ineligible countries can change each year, so you must check the latest list on the official government website before you apply.
2. Your Education or Work Experience Next, you must have at least one of the following:
- A high school education, meaning you have successfully completed approximately 12 years of primary and secondary schooling. OR
- Two years of work experience within the last five years in a job that requires at least two years of training to perform.
If you meet the country requirement and have either the education or the work experience, you are likely eligible to enter. You do not need both.
How to Apply for the DV Lottery for Free: The Only Official Method
There is only one place to apply for the DV Lottery: the official U.S. Department of State website. The correct web address ends in .gov — specifically, dvprogram.state.gov. This is your guarantee that you are on a secure and legitimate U.S. government site.
The diversity visa lottery entry period is only open for a short time, typically for a few weeks in October and November each year. The government announces the exact dates shortly before the window opens, so it is important to prepare in advance. Any entry submitted outside this official period will not be accepted.
Most importantly, it is 100% free to submit your application. The U.S. government does not charge a fee to enter the lottery. If a website, email, or person asks you for money to submit your entry or claims they can 'increase your chances,' it is a scam. You can and should complete the simple application yourself without paying anyone.
The Photo That Gets You In: Simple Rules for Your Application
A common reason for rejection from the Green Card Lottery is an incorrect photo. The U.S. government has very strict digital photo rules, and an image that doesn't meet them will automatically disqualify your application.
Your application photo must be recent (taken within the last six months), in color, and set against a plain white or off-white background. You must look directly at the camera with a neutral expression. Using an old, edited, or unclear picture will guarantee your entry is disqualified.
The official DV program website provides a free photo tool to help you check your image before you submit it. This tool confirms that your photo meets the technical requirements for size and composition. Using this feature is the best way to ensure your entry is successfully accepted.
How to Check Your DV Lottery Results the Safe Way
The only way to check your results is by visiting the official U.S. government website, dvprogram.state.gov, using the Entrant Status Check feature. You will need the Confirmation Number you received when you submitted your application. Results are typically available starting in early May each year.
The U.S. government will never contact you by email, phone, or mail to tell you that you won. It is your sole responsibility to check your own status online. Be aware of these common diversity visa lottery scams:
- You will NOT get an email or letter saying you won.
- You will NOT receive a phone call with your results.
- You will NEVER be asked to pay a fee to find out if you were selected.
Any message you receive claiming you have been selected is a scam.
Selected for the Diversity Visa: What It Really Means
Being 'selected' does not automatically grant you a visa; it means you have won the opportunity to move forward and submit a formal visa application. It’s the next, and most important, step on your journey.
To ensure all 55,000 visas are issued each year, the government selects more people than there are available spots. This is because many selectees may not complete the process or might be found ineligible later. This creates a race against time, as not everyone who is selected will get an interview. Acting quickly is essential.
If you are selected, your next immediate action is to complete the online Immigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-260 form). After submission, you will await further instructions. Be prepared, as this next stage involves required fees for the application, medical exam, and final visa processing.
Your Green Card Lottery Action Plan: A Final Checklist
You now have the knowledge to confidently avoid scams and apply for the Green Card Lottery correctly. Remember this simple, four-step path to applying safely:
- Check your eligibility first.
- Apply ONLY at dvprogram.state.gov—it is always free.
- Keep your confirmation number in a safe place.
- Check your own results online, starting in May.
Need an expert witness report for your case?
Our country experts provide independent reports for asylum and immigration cases in the UK, US, Canada, and EU.
Order an expert witness report |
Find a country expert witness |
About our expert team
