Diversity Visa (DV Lottery) — United States

The diversity visa Lottery offers an opportunity to seek permanent residence in the United States if you’re from a country with historically low immigration rates. It’s an opportunity, not a guarantee, and requires further government processing if you’re selected.

Program purpose

The Diversity Visa Lottery exists to diversify the immigrant population in the United States. It targets individuals from countries that have sent relatively few immigrants to the U.S. in recent years.

You participate by submitting an entry during the official registration period. Selection is random, but eligibility depends on your country of origin as defined by the program rules.

Key elements of the program’s purpose include:

• Expanding immigration opportunities for underrepresented countries
• Promoting diversity within the lawful permanent resident population
• Providing a structured, government‑run selection process

The program doesn’t prioritize family sponsorship, employment sponsorship, or investment. It operates separately from petitions filed with USCIS.

What the entry provides

Submitting a Diversity Visa Lottery entry gives you a chance to apply for an immigrant visa if selected. It doesn’t grant lawful status, work authorization, or travel permission.

If you’re selected, you must complete additional steps. This may include submitting Form DS-260 to the U.S. Department of State and providing required documentation during visa processing.

You may also need to submit supporting forms if required by your case. For example:

• Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application)
• Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, if applicable
• Supporting civil documents and identification records

USCIS does not approve the lottery entry itself. The U.S. Department of State manages visa processing and issuance.

Key limits

The Diversity Visa Lottery has strict limits. Filing an entry doesn’t guarantee approval or issuance of a green card.

You must meet eligibility rules tied to your country of origin. If your country does not qualify for a given program year, you cannot participate unless another qualifying rule applies.

Other important limits include:

• Selection does not guarantee a visa
• You must complete all required forms accurately
• You must follow government deadlines exactly

Government agencies apply these requirements strictly.

Your ability to receive and keep lawful permanent residence through the diversity visa Lottery depends on proper financial sponsorship and complete documentation. USCIS and the U.S. Department of State review specific forms and supporting records before approving your immigrant visa or adjustment of status.

Affidavit of Support rules

Most family-based immigrants must submit Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, from the petitioner. This form confirms that the sponsor accepts legal responsibility for financially supporting you.

You must include the Affidavit of Support when applying for an immigrant visa or when filing for adjustment of status with USCIS, if required for your category. Failure to submit it can delay processing.

Key points:

• The petitioner completes and signs Form I-864
• The form is required at the immigrant visa or adjustment stage
• Incomplete financial evidence delays your case

If you apply through consular processing after submitting Form DS-260, the U.S. Department of State reviews the Affidavit of Support at the visa stage. If you adjust status inside the United States, USCIS reviews it.

Sponsor obligations

When someone signs Form I-864, that person enters a legally binding agreement. The sponsor agrees to financially support you if necessary.

This obligation is not symbolic. It creates enforceable responsibilities.

Before signing, your sponsor should understand:

• The commitment is legal, not optional
• The obligation supports your permanent residence process
• Signing without understanding the duty can create serious consequences

You do not complete Form I-864A unless you have accompanying family members who require additional income support documentation.

Sponsors must carefully review their financial evidence before submission. Missing or incorrect information can delay approval of your green card.

Documents that affect processing

USCIS or the U.S. Department of State will not move forward without complete financial documentation. Missing tax returns or proof explaining why a return was not required can delay action on your application.

You must ensure your sponsor includes:

• A completed and signed Form I-864
• The sponsor’s federal tax return, if required
• Evidence showing why no tax return was required, if applicable

If required documents are missing, the agency may issue a request for evidence or delay visa issuance.

In Diversity Visa Lottery cases, document completeness is critical because visa numbers are limited. Delays can affect whether you receive a visa before the program year ends.

You must register during the official entry period and follow strict submission rules. After selection, you need specific information and online access to continue your case with the appropriate government agencies.

When you can apply

The diversity visa Lottery opens for a limited registration period each fiscal year. You may submit your entry only during that window.

If you miss the registration period, you must wait until the next fiscal year to apply. The government does not accept late entries.

Key timing rules:

• You can submit your entry only during the official registration period.
• The registration period occurs once per fiscal year.
• Entries submitted outside that period are not considered.

The U.S. Department of State manages the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program.

Do not wait until the last day. Technical issues do not excuse a missed deadline.

Entry rules

You may submit only one entry per person during the registration period.

Submitting more than one entry leads to disqualification, even if the duplicate was accidental.

Follow these core rules:

• Submit one entry only.
• Do not create multiple registrations.
• Complete the entry during the official period.

The system tracks entries by individual applicant. Duplicate submissions result in automatic disqualification, and you can't fix this after the deadline.

After selection, you'll receive notification and instructions that reference your case. Keep all confirmation details secure, since you'll need them for your immigrant visa process.

What applicants must have

To participate and continue your case, you need certain tools and information.

At minimum, you must have:

• Internet access
• Your Diversity Visa case number
• Your selection notification details

You'll use your case number to complete Form DS-260, the Immigrant Visa Application, through the Department of State’s online system.

Your case number appears in your selection notification. Enter it exactly as issued—mistakes can delay processing.

During later stages, other forms may apply depending on your situation, such as Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) oversees in related processes.

Keep digital and printed copies of all confirmation messages and case information. You'll need them throughout the process.

You must submit your entry online during the official registration period and keep your confirmation number.

If selected, you complete additional government forms and follow detailed instructions from the appropriate agency.

Registering online

You enter the diversity visa Lottery only through the official Electronic Diversity Visa (E‑DV) website during the designated registration window.

Follow these steps:

1. Access the E‑DV entry form during the official registration period.

2. Complete the electronic entry form in full.

3. Submit the form electronically.

4. Save and securely store your unique confirmation number.

After you submit a complete entry, the system generates a confirmation screen with your confirmation number. Keep this number—it's the only way to check your selection status and continue if you're chosen.

Do not mail paper forms to USCIS for the initial lottery entry. The first step is strictly electronic submission through the E‑DV system.

After submission — next forms

If the program selects you, you must complete additional immigration forms before you can receive permanent resident status.

A key form in this stage is Form DS‑

1. Complete and submit it as instructed. Provide accurate personal information throughout.

In some cases, a financial sponsor may need to complete Form I‑864, Affidavit of Support, which USCIS uses to evaluate financial responsibility.

For current filing requirements, processing steps, and fees, refer to the instructions from the U.S. Department of State and USCIS.

Following instructions and packets

After selection, you will receive detailed instructions about the next steps in your case.

You may need to prepare and submit a packet of documents as directed. If a relative is applying for permanent resident status based on your case, provide the required information for them as well.

Keep copies of your confirmation number, submitted forms such as DS‑260, and any supporting documentation you provide.

Respond promptly to any official notice. Delays or incomplete submissions can prevent your case from moving forward.

Consular officers focus on whether your case is accurate, complete, and internally consistent.

They compare your forms and supporting records line by line and assess whether your financial evidence supports the information you provided.

Consistency across forms

Every answer must be consistent across your diversity visa Lottery entry, your Form DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application, and any documents submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the U.S. Department of State.

Officers compare names, dates, marital history, children, education, employment history, and addresses.

Even small differences can delay your case or lead to refusal.

Use this checklist before your interview:

• Spelling of your full legal name matches your passport and civil documents
• Dates of birth match across all forms
• Marital status is the same on every filing
• All children appear consistently on each form
• Employment and address histories follow the same timeline

If you update information, make sure every related document reflects the same change.

Truthfulness of documents

You must present genuine and accurate documents. Officers examine whether your records support the answers you gave on the DS-260.

They look for contradictions between your statements and your paperwork. If a document conflicts with your form responses, the officer may question your credibility.

Review civil documents for correct names and dates. Check education or work records for consistency with your DS-260.

Any prior submissions to USCIS should match the information you provide now.

Accuracy matters more than volume. Submitting extra documents doesn't fix incorrect answers.

If you discover an error before your interview, correct it through the proper channel listed by the U.S. Department of State and be ready to explain the change clearly and directly.

Income and household evidence

If your case requires financial sponsorship, the officer reviews the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, and supporting evidence to confirm the sponsor’s claimed income and household size.

Your financial documents must align with the information listed on the I-864 and the DS-

1. Household size, dependents, and claimed income must not conflict with other filings.

Check for consistency in:

• Number of dependents
• Marital status of the sponsor
• Reported income figures
• Relationship between you and the sponsor

If the numbers or household details do not match, the officer may delay the case until the discrepancy is resolved.