Application for the American Green Card Diversity Visa Lottery and the USA Visa Lottery

The U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, commonly called the American Green Card Lottery or USA Visa Lottery, is one of the most well-known immigration programs available to people who want the opportunity to move permanently to the United States. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of State and provides a limited number of immigrant visas each year to eligible applicants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

For many applicants, particularly those who do not have a close relative in the United States or an employer willing to sponsor them, the Diversity Visa program can provide an alternative route toward U.S. permanent residence. However, it is important to understand that entering the lottery does not guarantee a Green Card or even a visa interview. Selection is only the beginning of the immigration process, and selected applicants must still satisfy all applicable requirements.

This guide explains how the American Green Card Diversity Visa Lottery works, who can apply, how to submit an application, the documents required, what happens after selection, common mistakes to avoid, and important fraud warnings.

What Is the American Green Card Diversity Visa Lottery?

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is an annual U.S. immigration program administered by the Department of State. It was created to diversify the immigrant population of the United States by making immigrant visas available to eligible applicants from countries that have historically sent relatively few immigrants to the U.S.

The program makes available up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually, although the actual number available in a particular program year can be affected by U.S. law and other adjustments. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

A person who successfully completes the process can become a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) of the United States.

The process is commonly referred to by several names:

American Green Card Lottery
U.S. Green Card Lottery
USA Visa Lottery
Diversity Visa Lottery
DV Lottery
Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
Electronic Diversity Visa Program
E-DV Lottery

These terms generally refer to the same basic program.

Is the USA Visa Lottery really free?

Yes. Submitting the initial Diversity Visa entry is free. The U.S. Department of State specifically warns applicants about websites and individuals who falsely claim that payment is required to enter the lottery. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

There can, however, be legitimate costs later if someone is selected. These may include visa application fees, medical examination expenses, document costs, transportation, and other immigration-related expenses.

Therefore, you should distinguish between:

Initial lottery entry: Free.

Immigration processing after selection: May involve fees and expenses.

Who Can Apply for the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery?

Eligibility is primarily based on country of birth (chargeability) and the principal applicant’s education or qualifying work experience.

There are two major requirements that applicants should understand.

1. Country of Eligibility

The DV program is designed for people from countries with historically low levels of immigration to the United States.

The list of eligible countries can change from one program year to another. Therefore, applicants should never assume that a country is eligible simply because it was eligible in a previous year.

For example, Nigeria was listed as ineligible for DV-2026 because of the number of Nigerian natives who had immigrated to the United States during the relevant period. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

This is particularly important for Nigerian applicants.

Being Nigerian does not automatically mean that you can enter every future DV Lottery. Eligibility must be checked against the official instructions for the particular program year.

There are also limited circumstances where someone from an otherwise ineligible country may be able to claim eligibility through a spouse or, under specific conditions, through a parent’s country of birth. The official instructions should be consulted carefully before using either provision. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

2. Education or Work Experience Requirement

The principal applicant must satisfy one of the following:

Option A: Education

The applicant must have completed a formal course of elementary and secondary education comparable to a U.S. high school education.

The requirement generally corresponds to completion of a 12-year formal elementary and secondary education course.

A simple school certificate is not automatically sufficient if the underlying education does not meet the required standard.

The U.S. Department of State states that equivalency certificates such as the GED are not accepted as substitutes for the required formal education. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

Option B: Qualifying Work Experience

Instead of the education requirement, an applicant may qualify through work experience.

The applicant must have:

At least two years of qualifying work experience
Within the five years immediately preceding the application
In an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.

The Department of State uses the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET system to determine whether an occupation qualifies. The relevant occupations generally fall within Job Zone 4 or 5 and have an SVP rating of 7.0 or higher. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

Simply having worked for two years does not automatically satisfy the requirement.

For example, an applicant should not assume that any two-year employment history qualifies simply because the job was full-time.

When Does the USA Green Card Lottery Open?

The Diversity Visa Lottery normally operates through an annual registration period.

For example, the DV-2026 registration period ran from October 2, 2024, through November 7, 2024. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

However, applicants should not rely on previous dates to predict the exact opening and closing dates of a future program.

The U.S. Department of State publishes the official dates and instructions for each program year.

For that reason, anyone interested in a future lottery should monitor the official Department of State Diversity Visa website rather than relying on social media posts, agents or unofficial websites.

Where Should You Apply?

The official electronic entry system is operated by the U.S. government.

You should use:

Official U.S. Department of State Diversity Visa Instructions

The official E-DV website is:

Official E-DV Entry Website

Be extremely careful with websites that use phrases such as:

“Official Green Card Lottery”
“Guaranteed Green Card”
“Guaranteed Selection”
“100% DV Lottery Success”
“Pay us to increase your chances”
“Government-approved lottery agent”

No private company can guarantee that you will be selected.

Information You Need to Complete the Application

Before beginning the application, it is sensible to prepare your information carefully.

The application normally requires personal and family information such as:

Full legal name
Gender
Date of birth
City of birth
Country of birth
Country of eligibility/chargeability
Photograph
Mailing information
Country where you currently live
Telephone information where requested
Email address
Highest level of education
Marital status
Spouse’s information, where applicable
Children’s information, where applicable

You should enter information accurately.

A particularly important part of the application is providing information about your spouse and qualifying children.

The Importance of Your Photograph

The photograph is one of the most important parts of the DV application.

Applicants should follow the official photograph specifications rather than simply uploading any recent passport photograph.

Photographs that do not comply with the requirements can create serious problems.

A good DV photograph should meet the current official requirements concerning factors such as:

Recent appearance
Position of the head
Background
Lighting
Image dimensions
Image quality
Facial visibility
Digital format

Applicants should use the official photo requirements for the particular DV program year because technical requirements can change.

Can Married Couples Apply?

Yes, where both spouses independently satisfy the eligibility requirements, each spouse may generally submit one separate entry during the registration period.

This can potentially provide the family with two independent entries.

However, every entry must accurately list the spouse and all required qualifying children.

You should never attempt to submit multiple entries for the same person.

The Department of State specifically states that submitting more than one entry for a person during the registration period can result in disqualification of all entries for that person. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

What About Children?

Applicants must carefully follow the official rules regarding children.

Failing to include a required child can result in serious consequences later.

This is why applicants should prepare complete family information before beginning the application.

Do not assume that a child can simply be added later if the child should have been included in the original entry.

How to Submit the Diversity Visa Application

The basic process can be summarized as follows.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Before applying, determine whether:

Your country of chargeability is eligible for the relevant DV program.
You meet the education or work-experience requirement.
Your family circumstances are correctly understood.
You have a compliant photograph.

Step 2: Prepare Your Information

Collect the information required for the application.

Check spelling carefully, especially:

Names
Dates
Birthplaces
Country information
Marital status
Children’s information

Step 3: Complete the Online Entry

Go to the official E-DV website during the registration period.

Complete the application carefully and submit it electronically.

There is no legitimate reason to pay a third party simply to obtain access to the initial DV entry form.

Step 4: Save Your Confirmation Number

This is extremely important.

After submitting your entry, you receive a confirmation number.

Save it somewhere safe.

The Department of State uses the confirmation number for checking the status of the entry. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

Do not assume that an agent will keep it safely for you.

If someone else completes the application on your behalf, make sure you personally receive and retain your confirmation information.

How Do You Know If You Were Selected?

Selection is conducted randomly from qualified entries.

The Department of State does not simply select everyone who applies. There are significantly more applicants than available visas.

For DV-2026, for example, more than 20.8 million qualified entries were received. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

Applicants should use the official Entrant Status Check system to determine whether they were selected.

The Department of State warns that selected applicants are not notified by ordinary postal letters or email notifications. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

This is an important fraud-prevention measure.

If someone sends you an email saying:

“Congratulations! You have won the U.S. Green Card Lottery. Send us money to claim your visa.”

you should be extremely cautious.

Check your status directly through the official government website.

What Happens If You Are Selected?

Being selected is not the same thing as receiving a Green Card.

Selection means that you have been chosen to continue through the Diversity Visa immigration process, subject to eligibility, documentation, visa availability and other requirements.

The next stages can include:

Completing the immigrant visa application.
Completing Form DS-260.
Providing supporting documentation.
Completing required medical examinations.
Attending a consular interview.
Demonstrating that you meet the DV requirements.
Passing applicable security and eligibility checks.
Receiving an immigrant visa if everything is approved and a visa is available.

The Department of State encourages selected entrants to complete the DS-260 promptly. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

What Is Form DS-260?

Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, is an important application completed by individuals proceeding with immigrant visa processing.

It is different from the initial DV lottery entry.

The initial DV entry is essentially the lottery registration.

The DS-260 comes later if you are selected and proceed with the immigration process.

Applicants should provide truthful and complete information.

Errors or inconsistencies between the original DV entry and later documentation can cause serious problems.

Documents You May Need

Selected applicants should be prepared to provide appropriate documentation.

Depending on their individual circumstances, documentation can include:

Passport
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate
Divorce certificate, if applicable
Police certificates where required
Court or prison records where applicable
Military records where applicable
Education documentation
Evidence of qualifying work experience, where applicable
DS-260 confirmation
Interview appointment information
Medical examination documentation
Other civil documents requested by the U.S. authorities

The Department of State provides detailed instructions regarding documents for DV interviews. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

The DV Interview

If your case progresses to an interview, the consular officer will assess whether you qualify for the immigrant visa.

You should bring the required original documents or certified copies and other requested evidence.

For education-based qualification, applicants may need to provide school certificates, transcripts or other evidence demonstrating completion of the required course of study.

For work-based qualification, the applicant must provide evidence supporting the required qualifying employment. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

The interview is therefore not simply a formality.

Being selected does not mean that the applicant automatically passes the interview.

Medical Examination

Applicants who proceed toward immigrant visa issuance generally have to complete the required medical examination with an authorized physician.

Do not simply visit any doctor and assume that the examination will be accepted.

Follow the instructions provided by the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate concerning approved medical examination providers.

How Much Does the Green Card Lottery Cost?

The initial DV lottery registration is free.

However, if selected, applicants may have to pay immigration-related fees.

Other potential expenses can include:

Medical examination
Vaccinations where required
Document certification
Translation
Transportation
Visa-related expenses
Travel to the interview
Relocation expenses
Initial accommodation in the United States

Therefore, “free lottery” does not mean that the entire immigration process is free.

It means that the initial electronic entry itself does not require a registration fee.

Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid

1. Paying Someone to “Guarantee” Selection

Nobody can guarantee that you will be selected.

The selection process is random.

2. Submitting Multiple Entries

Submitting more than one entry for the same person during the same registration period can result in disqualification. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

3. Providing Incorrect Family Information

Family information should be completed accurately according to the official instructions.

4. Using an Incorrect Photograph

A technically non-compliant photograph can jeopardize an application.

5. Losing the Confirmation Number

Your confirmation number is extremely important for checking your result.

6. Believing Fake Emails

The U.S. government warns applicants about fraudulent websites and communications pretending to represent the U.S. government. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

7. Assuming Selection Guarantees a Visa

Selection does not guarantee an interview or visa.

The U.S. Department of State explicitly emphasizes this distinction. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

Important Information for Nigerians

Nigerian applicants need to pay particular attention to country eligibility.

Nigeria was not eligible for DV-2025 or DV-2026, according to the official U.S. Department of State information. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

This means Nigerians should not blindly follow advertisements claiming:

“2027 USA Green Card Lottery is now open for everyone.”

Instead, wait for the official program-year instructions and verify whether Nigeria is listed as an eligible country.

Country eligibility is based on U.S. immigration rules and can change between program years.

If Nigeria is excluded from a particular DV program, a Nigerian-born applicant cannot simply select another country because they currently live there.

There are limited legal provisions concerning a spouse’s country of birth or certain circumstances involving parents’ countries of birth, but these have specific requirements and should not be used incorrectly. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

Green Card Lottery vs. Other USA Visa Lotteries

It is important to clarify terminology.

There is technically no single general “USA Visa Lottery” that gives everyone a U.S. visa.

The Diversity Visa Program is the U.S. government’s immigrant visa lottery.

Other U.S. visa categories have completely different eligibility systems.

For example:

Tourist visas are not lottery-based.
Student visas are not lottery-based.
Employment visas have their own rules.
Family-sponsored immigration follows a different process.
Employment-based Green Cards follow different categories and requirements.

The U.S. Department of State’s Visa Wizard can help people identify the visa category that corresponds to their circumstances. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

Recent Changes and Important 2026 Situation

Anyone researching the Diversity Visa program in 2026 should be particularly careful because the program’s current situation is subject to developments that may affect visa issuance.

The Department of State published updated guidance on August 31, 2026, stating that, as of August 28, 2026, diversity visa issuance was paused while the Department undertook a review of screening and vetting procedures. The Department stated that applicants could continue submitting applications and attending interviews, but that diversity visas would not be issued during the stated pause. (U.S. Department of State – Travel)

Because this is a developing situation, applicants should check the Department of State’s official website for updates before making financial or travel decisions.

This also illustrates why applicants should be cautious about relying on old blog posts, YouTube videos or social-media announcements.

How to Protect Yourself From Green Card Lottery Scams

The DV Lottery attracts scammers because many people strongly desire to move to the United States.

Here are some important safety rules:

Never pay someone to guarantee selection.

There is no legitimate way to guarantee lottery selection.

Never provide your confirmation number to random people.

Keep it secure.

Don’t trust “Congratulations” emails automatically.

Verify your status through the official government system.

Don’t use unofficial websites to submit your entry.

Use the official U.S. government website.

Don’t assume an immigration agent is affiliated with the U.S. government.

A private agent or consultant is not the same thing as the U.S. Department of State.

Be suspicious of urgent payment demands.

Scammers often claim that a person must pay immediately to avoid losing a Green Card.

Final Checklist Before Applying

Before submitting your Diversity Visa entry, consider the following checklist:

Eligibility

My country of chargeability is eligible for this year’s program.
I meet the education requirement OR qualifying work-experience requirement.
I understand the rules regarding spouse and children.

Application

My name is correctly entered.
My date of birth is correct.
My birthplace is correct.
My country of eligibility is correct.
My marital status is correct.
All required family information is included.
My photograph complies with the official requirements.
I have submitted only one entry for myself.

After Submission

I have saved my confirmation number.
I know where to check my result.
I will check only through the official government system.
I understand that selection does not guarantee a visa.

Final Thoughts

The American Green Card Diversity Visa Lottery can be a valuable opportunity for eligible immigrants who dream of living and working permanently in the United States. However, applicants should approach the program carefully and understand that the process is a lottery followed by an immigration eligibility process, rather than an automatic Green Card giveaway.

The first step is determining whether you are eligible for the particular program year. You must satisfy the country-of-chargeability rules and the education or qualifying work-experience requirement. If you are eligible, you can submit your electronic entry during the official registration period.

The most important point is to use official U.S. government sources. The initial DV entry is free, and no agent can guarantee selection. If selected, you will still have to complete additional immigration procedures, submit the required documentation, undergo the necessary checks and interview, and satisfy all applicable requirements.

For Nigerians, particular caution is necessary because Nigeria has been excluded from recent DV programs, including DV-2025 and DV-2026. (U.S. Department of State – Travel) Therefore, Nigerian applicants should verify the eligibility list for the specific upcoming program rather than assuming they can participate.

The official starting point for current instructions is the U.S. Department of State’s Diversity Visa page:

U.S. Department of State — Diversity Visa Instructions

And the official electronic Diversity Visa website is:

dvprogram.state.gov — Official Diversity Visa Entry Website

Remember: applying is not the same as being selected, selection is not the same as visa approval, and visa approval is not something any private agent can guarantee. Always verify the latest program rules directly with the U.S. government before submitting an application or paying any immigration-related expense.