DV Lottery Process: Entry to Visa in 10 Steps

The usual yearly order

Dates are different every year. Read the current official announcement.

Each yearRead the new notice: dates, fees and rules
Entry periodOne correct entry per person, official site only
Right afterSave the confirmation number
Results dateCheck the official Entrant Status Check
If selectedDS-260, documents, medical, interview
End of the program yearHard deadline for the visa

Read the current program notice first

Use this year's rules, not last year's.

Before you do anything

Write down the program year
Write down the opening and closing time and the time zone
Note how and when results are checked
Note the deadline to finish processing

DV lottery numbers →DV eligibility →

Check your country of eligibility

Check birth country rules.

Before entering

Eligibility usually depends on your country of birth, not just citizenship or where you live
The eligible-country list can change each year
There are limited rules that let you use a spouse's or parents' country in certain cases. Read them carefully before relying on one
Living in an eligible country does not make you eligible

Check the education or work rule

Be sure you qualify.

Before entering

The main applicant must meet the required education or qualifying work experience
Not every job counts. Check the exact definitions in the current instructions
Prepare the records now, even if you do not send them at entry

Prepare accurate family information

List the right people.

Before entering

List your spouse and eligible children as the rules require, even those who do not plan to come
Check rules for stepchildren, adopted children, separation and citizenship
Never leave out a required person or invent a relationship
Have names, birth dates and places exactly right

Prepare photos and identity details

Meet the rules for this year's entry.

Before entering

Follow the exact age, size, background, pose and file rules for that year
Do not reuse an old photo just because it worked before
Do not edit your face to change how you look
Have the passport and identity details the active rules require, and check them against the real documents

Enter on the official website only

One correct entry per person.

During the entry period

Start from the State Department page and follow its link to the official DV entry site
Enter only during the official entry period
Pay any registration fee only through the official process
Review before you submit
One entry per person: duplicate entries can disqualify you. A spouse may enter separately if eligible

Visa scams →

Save the confirmation number

Keep it somewhere you control.

Right after submitting

Save the confirmation page and number, with a backup copy
Keep the number, the entrant's details and the program year together
If someone helped you enter, make sure you received the confirmation

Check the result yourself

Only the official check counts.

When results open

Use the official Entrant Status Check when it opens
Follow its instructions for the confirmation number
An email saying "you won" is not proof
If you lose your number, use the official recovery option if there is one. Never give a stranger your details or money to "unlock" a result

If you are selected, follow the case instructions

Do each stage in order.

After selection

Read the instructions you receive. The Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) handles important administrative stages
Fill the DS-260 immigrant visa application accurately
A case number organizes processing. It is not an approval number
Watch the monthly Visa Bulletin (linked below) for your number
Collect civil documents, education or work proof and passport records
Do the medical exam when told, and follow the embassy's instructions and current fees

Visa Bulletin →

Understand the final deadline

Do not assume time is unlimited.

From the start

The usual yearly order

Dates are different every year. Read the current official announcement.

Each yearRead the new notice: dates, fees and rules
Entry periodOne correct entry per person, official site only
Right afterSave the confirmation number
Results dateCheck the official Entrant Status Check
If selectedDS-260, documents, medical, interview
End of the program yearHard deadline for the visa

Read the current program notice first

Use this year's rules, not last year's.

Before you do anything

Write down the program year
Write down the opening and closing time and the time zone
Note how and when results are checked
Note the deadline to finish processing

DV lottery numbers →DV eligibility →

Check your country of eligibility

Check birth country rules.

Before entering

Eligibility usually depends on your country of birth, not just citizenship or where you live
The eligible-country list can change each year
There are limited rules that let you use a spouse's or parents' country in certain cases. Read them carefully before relying on one
Living in an eligible country does not make you eligible

Check the education or work rule

Be sure you qualify.

Before entering

The main applicant must meet the required education or qualifying work experience
Not every job counts. Check the exact definitions in the current instructions
Prepare the records now, even if you do not send them at entry

Prepare accurate family information

List the right people.

Before entering

List your spouse and eligible children as the rules require, even those who do not plan to come
Check rules for stepchildren, adopted children, separation and citizenship
Never leave out a required person or invent a relationship
Have names, birth dates and places exactly right

Prepare photos and identity details

Meet the rules for this year's entry.

Before entering

Follow the exact age, size, background, pose and file rules for that year
Do not reuse an old photo just because it worked before
Do not edit your face to change how you look
Have the passport and identity details the active rules require, and check them against the real documents

Enter on the official website only

One correct entry per person.

During the entry period

Start from the State Department page and follow its link to the official DV entry site
Enter only during the official entry period
Pay any registration fee only through the official process
Review before you submit
One entry per person: duplicate entries can disqualify you. A spouse may enter separately if eligible

Visa scams →

Save the confirmation number

Keep it somewhere you control.

Right after submitting

Save the confirmation page and number, with a backup copy
Keep the number, the entrant's details and the program year together
If someone helped you enter, make sure you received the confirmation

Check the result yourself

Only the official check counts.

When results open

Use the official Entrant Status Check when it opens
Follow its instructions for the confirmation number
An email saying "you won" is not proof
If you lose your number, use the official recovery option if there is one. Never give a stranger your details or money to "unlock" a result

If you are selected, follow the case instructions

Do each stage in order.

After selection

Read the instructions you receive. The Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) handles important administrative stages
Fill the DS-260 immigrant visa application accurately
A case number organizes processing. It is not an approval number
Watch the monthly Visa Bulletin (linked below) for your number
Collect civil documents, education or work proof and passport records
Do the medical exam when told, and follow the embassy's instructions and current fees

Visa Bulletin →

Understand the final deadline

Do not assume time is unlimited.

From the start

Diversity Visa lottery: your step-by-step guide

The usual yearly order

Read the current program notice first

Check your country of eligibility

Check the education or work rule

Prepare accurate family information

Prepare photos and identity details

Enter on the official website only

Save the confirmation number

Check the result yourself

If you are selected, follow the case instructions

Understand the final deadline

Who does what

Diversity Visa lottery: your step-by-step guide

The usual yearly order

Read the current program notice first

Check your country of eligibility

Check the education or work rule

Prepare accurate family information

Prepare photos and identity details

Enter on the official website only

Save the confirmation number

Check the result yourself

If you are selected, follow the case instructions

Understand the final deadline

Who does what