The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly called the green card lottery, awards approximately 55,000 permanent resident visas annually through random selection. Created to increase immigration from underrepresented countries, it offers a unique pathway that doesn't require family connections or employer sponsorship. Entry is free, and anyone meeting basic requirements can participate.
Millions apply each year for limited slots, making selection odds low but not impossible. Understanding the rules helps you enter correctly and, if selected, successfully complete the process.
Eligibility Requirements
Two requirements determine eligibility: country of birth and education or work experience. You must be born in an eligible country—nations with historically high U.S. immigration in recent years are excluded. Currently ineligible countries include Mexico, Canada, China (mainland), India, Philippines, South Korea, and others.
If you were born in an excluded country, you may still qualify through your spouse's birthplace or, in some cases, your parents' birthplace if neither parent was a resident of your birth country at the time.
The education/experience requirement demands either a high school diploma (or equivalent) or two years of qualifying work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience.
How to Enter
Entry is only through the official State Department website during the annual registration period, typically October through November. Registration is completely free—anyone charging entry fees is running a scam.
You submit basic biographical information and a recent photograph meeting strict specifications. Photo errors are the most common reason for entry rejection. Use the State Department's photo tool to verify your image meets requirements before submitting.
Submit only one entry per year. Multiple entries disqualify all your submissions. Your spouse may also enter separately, effectively doubling your household's chances—if either is selected, both can immigrate together.
Selection and Notification
The State Department randomly selects more winners than available visas because not everyone completes the process. Selection doesn't guarantee a green card—it means you can apply for one during that fiscal year.
Check your selection status only through the official State Department website. You won't receive notification by email or mail. Scammers send fake "winner" notices to collect money—the government never contacts winners first.
If selected, you'll receive instructions for completing your immigrant visa application. Moving quickly is essential because visas are issued in rank order and run out before the fiscal year ends.
After Selection: The Immigrant Visa Process
Selected applicants must complete DS-260 immigrant visa applications online, gather required documents (birth certificates, police certificates, medical exams), and attend consular interviews. All processing must complete within the fiscal year—visas not used by September 30 are lost.
Your rank number determines when you can proceed. Lower numbers can begin processing earlier. Higher numbers may find visas exhausted before their turn. The Visa Bulletin tracks number progression monthly.
Document gathering takes time, especially obtaining police certificates from every country where you've lived. Start immediately upon selection—delays can mean missing your window.
Common Mistakes and Scams
Photo specification errors cause many entry rejections. Using old photos, wrong dimensions, wrong background color, or photos with glasses violates requirements. Follow specifications exactly.
Scammers exploit lottery hopefuls through fake websites, false winner notifications, and "services" charging fees for free entries. The only official site is dvprogram.state.gov. Anyone claiming to improve your odds or guarantee selection is lying.
Providing false information disqualifies you and can bar future immigration benefits. Answer all questions truthfully. Misrepresentations discovered later—even after green card approval—can result in deportation.
Bringing Family Members
If selected, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you as derivative beneficiaries. They must also meet documentary and admissibility requirements. Include all family members on your initial entry, even if you're not sure they'll immigrate—you cannot add dependents later.
Children close to turning 21 face "aging out" risks if processing takes too long. The Child Status Protection Act provides some protection, but timing remains critical.
Getting Legal Help
While lottery entry is simple enough to do yourself, selected applicants often benefit from legal assistance navigating the immigrant visa process. An immigration attorney ensures your application is complete and correct, helps overcome admissibility issues, and keeps processing on track to meet fiscal year deadlines. Given the one-shot nature of lottery selection, professional help maximizes your chances of successfully converting selection into a green card.