People from eligible countries can become permanent residents of the United States through the United States Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the Green Card Lottery. The program is administered by the United States Department of State and grants up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually.
In this guide, we explain every aspect of applying for the U.S. Green Card Lottery in 2025, including eligibility, required documents, and how to apply online.
1. Getting a better understanding of the Green Card Lottery
Diversity Visas (DV) are designed to encourage immigration diversity by providing permanent residency opportunities for citizens of countries with historically low U.S. immigration rates.
Upon approval of your immigrant visa application, you and your eligible family members (spouse and unmarried children under 21) will receive a Green Card, enabling you to live and work permanently in the country.
2. Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must meet two main eligibility criteria: country of birth and education/work experience to qualify for the Green Card Lottery.
A. Eligible countries
If you wish to apply for a Diversity Visa, you must be a native of one of the eligible countries.
The United States excludes every year countries that have sent 50,000 immigrants to the country in the past five years.
DV-2025 excludes the following countries:
- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- Canada
- China (mainland-born)
- India
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- South Korea
- United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland)
- Vietnam
Nigeria is not eligible to participate in the DV Lottery as a result of the high number of immigrants in recent years.
Nigerians married to citizens of eligible countries may apply using their spouse’s nationality.
B. Education or Work Experience
One of the following requirements must be met:
- Education: Completion of at least the equivalent of 12 years of formal education in high school or its equivalent.
- Work Experience: Have worked in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience within the past five years.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net database determines eligible occupations.
3. How and when to apply
Online applications can only be submitted at dvprogram.state.gov, the official U.S. government website.
- Each year, the entry period opens in October and closes in early November.
- Applications for the DV-2026 program will open in October 2024 and close in November 2024.
- There is no paper form or offline option available.
- Multiple entries will automatically disqualify you.
4. Step-by-Step Application Instructions
Step 1: Access the Official Website
Register at dvprogram.state.gov during the registration period.
Websites and agents from third parties should be avoided – only the official website should be used.
Step 2: Submit your entry online
Make sure the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form (E-DV Form) is filled out completely.
Please provide the following information:
- Passport name: Your full name.
- Gender: Male or Female.
- Date of Birth: Month, day, and year.
- Birthplace: City and country.
- Eligibility Country: Usually your birth country (or spouse’s, if applicable).
- Information about the passport: Number, country of issue, and expiration date.
- Submitted passport photo must meet the strict requirements of the U.S. visa application.
- Contact information: For future correspondence.
- Residence Country: The country in which you currently reside.
- Email address and phone number: Valid contact information.
- Level of education: Highest qualification attained.
- The marital status of the individual: Single, married, divorced, or widowed.
- The name, birthdate, and photo of your spouse should be included if you are married.
- Children Information: Include all unmarried children under 21 (even if they do not live with you).
Step 3: Upload your photos
Official specifications for photos are as follows:
- A size of 2×2 inches (600×600 pixels).
- Default background: white.
- Format: JPEG (.jpg).
- It must be recent (taken within the last six months).
- Glasses, hats, and filters are not allowed.
Applications with incorrect or edited photos are automatically rejected.
Step 4: Save and submit your confirmation
Upon submitting the form, you’ll receive a confirmation page with a unique confirmation number.
It is important to save or print the confirmation page as soon as possible.
To check your results, you will need this number.
Entry fees are not charged.
5. Tracking the status of your application
The results are not emailed. It is your responsibility to check your status online.
Here’s how to check:
- Visit dvprogram.state.gov.
- To check the status, click “Check Status”.
- Please enter your confirmation number, last name, and birth year.
- As soon as the entry period ends, the results will be published the following May.
As an example:
- DV-2026 applicants can check their results in May 2025.
Upon selection, you’ll see a message notifying you of your selection.
6. What Happens If You Get Selected
Visas aren’t automatically granted to those who are selected. You’re eligible to apply for one if you meet the requirements.
There are then a few steps you need to take, including filling out forms, attending an interview, and providing evidence.
Step 1: Complete the DS-260 Form
Obtain the DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application form from the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website.
Step 2: Submit supporting documents
You must upload or provide a digital copy of:
- Page of the passport bio
- Certificate of birth
- Certificate of police clearance
- Certificates of education
- Certificate of marriage (if applicable)
- Certificates of divorce or death (if applicable)
Step 3: Pay Visa Fees
Applicants must pay a non-refundable visa processing fee of approximately $330 USD at the U.S. Embassy during your interview.
Step 4: Attend the medical examination
As a prerequisite to the interview, you and your dependents must undergo a medical examination by an official of the Embassy.
Step 5: Attend the Visa Interview
You will be required to attend your interview at the American Consulate or Embassy (normally in Abuja or Lagos for Nigerians).
What to bring:
- Appointment letter for interview
- The passport
- Confirmation page for DS-260
- Results of a medical exam
- Documents supporting your claim
Prepare answers to questions about your background, education, and plans in the U.S.
Step 6: Visa Approval
A six-month immigrant visa stamp will be attached to your passport if your application is approved.
Before this visa expires, you must enter the U.S.
7. Obtaining your Green Card
Upon arrival in the U.S.:
- Make sure you pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee ($220) online before or soon after your trip.
- Within a few weeks, your Green Card will be mailed to your U.S. address.
Upon receiving your Green Card, you become a lawful permanent resident (LPR), which gives you the following rights:
- Permanently live and work in the United States.
- Immigration sponsorship for family members.
- After five years, you can apply for U.S. citizenship.
8. Avoid these common mistakes
- Multiple entries per person (automatic disqualification).
- Fake or altered photos are used.
- Fake websites or agents requesting payment for applications.
- You forgot to save your confirmation number.
- Information that is inaccurate or inconsistent.
- Failure to meet the deadline or failure to respond to notifications.
9. Deadlines and key dates
| Process | Expected Period (DV-2026) |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | October 2024 |
| Application Closes | Early November 2024 |
| Results Released | May 2025 |
| Visa Interviews Begin | October 2025 |
| Visa Processing Ends | September 2026 |
Make sure you apply early within the application window in order to avoid website congestion and late application errors.
10. Answers to frequently asked questions
Q1. Is there a fee for applying to the lottery?
No. For the initial entry, there is no charge. Only visa fees will be charged if you are selected.
Q2. Can I apply if I am married?
Yes. If you apply individually or separately with your spouse, you are more likely to be accepted.
Q3. In the event that I lose my confirmation number, how do I replace it?
The official website can be accessed using your name, email address, and birth date.
Q4. Can my children participate?
Yes. Regardless of whether they intend to travel right away, all children under 21 who are unmarried must be listed.
Q5. What should I do if my country is not eligible?
A spouse’s eligibility can be claimed through marriage if their country is eligible for it.
Q6. Can I apply if I live outside my country of origin?
Yes. It doesn’t matter where you are located, as long as you meet the requirements for nationality and education.
11. Getting your application approved
- It is only possible to apply once a year.
- Use the official site: dvprogram.state.gov.
- Ensure all personal details are correct before submitting.
- Your email address should be valid and personal.
- Ensure that all photos meet the specifications.
- Your confirmation number should not be shared with anyone.
- Be honest about your marital and family status.
- You should prepare your documents early in case you are selected.
Finally,
Applicants from all over the world can apply for permanent residency in the United States via the Green Card Lottery. Every year, millions of applications are submitted, but only about 1% of them are selected, so accuracy and preparation are vital.
Make sure to submit your application early and to follow all official guidelines to avoid falling victim to fake intermediaries. You may be able to start a new career and a new life in the United States if you obtain a Green Card.