US · Application requirements

US DV Lottery (Diversity Visa) Requirements 2026

Natives of countries with historically low immigration to the US (excludes high-admission countries — see ineligible list below). Applicants must have at least a high-school education OR 2 years of work experience in an occupation listed on O*NET that requires 2+ years of training.

Issued by U.S. Department of State · Last verified May 28, 2026 · Official source ↗

At a glance

Application fee

Entry fee (DV-2027+): $1
DV application (if selected): $330
US medical exam (if selected): varies

as of May 28, 2026 · details

Processing time

DV-2027 entry window: TBA (delayed)
Entry → selection results: ~6 months
Interview window if selected: Oct – Sep

details

Issuing authority

U.S. Department of State

Who needs a US DV Lottery (Diversity Visa)?

Where to apply

Official entry at dvprogram.state.gov. DV-2027 was postponed — as of May 2026 the State Department has not yet announced opening dates ("to be announced as soon as practicable" per the November 2025 notice). Beware: any third-party site charging to "submit" your DV entry on your behalf is a scam. The $1 fee is paid only on dvprogram.state.gov.

Fees

Entry fee (DV-2027+): $1
DV application (if selected): $330
US medical exam (if selected): varies

Entering the lottery requires a $1 USD non-refundable electronic registration fee, introduced for DV-2027 under a State Department final rule (22 CFR), effective September 16, 2025. If selected, a separate $330 USD Diversity Visa application fee is paid at the embassy interview stage.

Fees as of May 28, 2026. Confirm current amounts on the official source before paying.

What to bring

Documents and items you'll need at the appointment or with your application.

Valid passport (with at least 6 months validity — now MANDATORY for DV-2027 entry under the new rule)
Recent DV-compliant photo — square, 600–1200 px, JPEG under 240 KB
Education or work-experience proof (only required if selected, at the interview stage)
Birth certificate
Police certificates from every country lived in for 6+ months since age 16
Court records if applicable
Family details for accompanying spouse and unmarried children under 21

Need the photo specs?

Exact size, head height, background, and what gets rejected.

Open photo requirements →

How long does it take?

DV-2027 entry window: TBA (delayed)
Entry → selection results: ~6 months
Interview window if selected: Oct – Sep

DV-2027 entry dates: not yet announced as of May 2026. Historical cycle: entry window early October to early November; selection results announced in May the following year; interview window October to September of the relevant fiscal year. Selectees who do not complete the interview by September 30 of the fiscal year lose eligibility.

Times vary by location, season, and individual case. Always check the official source for the current backlog before you book travel.

Official source

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry.html

Last verified May 28, 2026

Verify before applying. We compile this from official government sources and re-verify regularly. Fees, processing times, and rules change without notice — always confirm current information on the official site before you apply or pay any fee.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about applying for a us dv lottery (diversity visa).

How much does the US DV Lottery cost? +

A new $1 USD non-refundable electronic registration fee is required to submit a DV entry, in effect since September 2025 (final rule, 22 CFR) starting with DV-2027. If selected, you pay a separate $330 USD Diversity Visa application fee at the embassy interview stage, plus US medical exam costs. Any third-party site charging more to "submit" your entry is a scam — the $1 fee is paid only on dvprogram.state.gov.

When does DV-2027 open? +

The State Department announced on November 5, 2025 that DV-2027 entry dates are postponed and "will be announced as soon as practicable." As of May 2026 there is no confirmed entry window. Check travel.state.gov regularly — the program has not been cancelled, only delayed.

What are my chances of winning the DV Lottery? +

Up to 55,000 visas are issued annually, divided across six geographic regions and capped at 7% per country. Tens of millions of entries are submitted worldwide each year, putting the headline global selection rate around 0.5%–1%. Selection rates vary significantly by region — historically higher for Africa and Europe, lower for Asia.

Which countries are excluded from the DV Lottery? +

Countries that sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the US in the previous 5 years are excluded. The DV-2027 ineligible list: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland and Hong Kong SAR — Macau SAR and Taiwan ARE eligible separately), Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela, Vietnam. The United Kingdom (which was excluded for DV-2026) is eligible again for DV-2027. The list is updated annually.

What happens if I win the DV Lottery? +

You are notified via Entrant Status Check on dvprogram.state.gov starting in May (about 6 months after entry closes). Selection is not a visa — you must file a DS-260 application, gather civil documents, complete a medical exam, and attend an embassy interview. You must complete all steps before the fiscal year ends on September 30 or lose eligibility.

Can I check my DV Lottery results? +

Yes — Entrant Status Check is the only way to find out. Use your unique confirmation number on dvprogram.state.gov. The State Department NEVER emails selectees. Anyone who emails you claiming you have won and asking for payment is a scammer.

Do I need a passport to enter the DV Lottery? +

Yes, as of the 22 CFR rule effective September 2025 (starting with DV-2027), a valid passport is mandatory at entry. Previously the passport was only required at the interview stage. Exceptions for stateless persons or where document acquisition is unsafe still apply.

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