Diversity Visa 2026: Passport Now Required to Enter the Lottery
Millions of people around the world enter the Diversity Visa lottery every year hoping for a path to a US green card. Starting <strong>April 10, 2026</strong>, the rules changed — and if you don't have a valid passport, you may not be able to enter at all. Here is what you need to know before the next registration window opens.
What changed and why
The US Department of State published a final rule that took effect on April 10, 2026. The rule changes how people apply to the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program — commonly called the DV lottery or green card lottery. The program offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas (green cards) each year to people from countries with historically low immigration to the United States.
Under the new rule, anyone who enters the DV lottery must provide valid, unexpired passport information in the online entry form. You must also upload a scan of the biographic page — the page with your photo and personal details — and the signature page of your passport. The Department of State says this change is meant to reduce fraud and improve the integrity of the program. Some applicants may be exempt from the passport requirement, but the rule does not eliminate the need to indicate your status on the form — even if you qualify for an exemption, you must note that in your entry.
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The rule also makes several smaller technical changes. The form now uses the word "sex" instead of "gender," and asks for your "date of birth" instead of your "age." These changes are meant to match the information the government actually collects and stores during the visa process. The Department says these updates standardize language used by consular officers — the officials at US embassies and consulates who process visa applications — to make the process clearer and more consistent.
What this means for you
If you plan to enter the DV lottery, you now need a valid passport before you submit your entry. Getting a passport can take time and money. The cost varies by country, and in some places it can be difficult to obtain one quickly. If you do not have a passport and are not exempt, your entry will not be accepted. Missing this requirement could mean losing your chance to apply for that year entirely — and the lottery only opens once a year.
What to do
- Check your passport now. Make sure it is valid and will not expire soon. If it is expired or close to expiring, start the renewal process in your home country as early as possible.
- Scan your passport pages. Before the lottery opens, prepare a clear digital scan of the biographic page (your photo page) and the signature page. Poor-quality scans may cause problems with your entry.
- Find out if you are exempt. If you believe you qualify for an exemption from the passport requirement, check the official DV program website at dvprogram.state.gov for guidance. You must still indicate your exempt status in the entry form.
- Talk to an immigration lawyer if you are unsure whether you qualify for an exemption or have questions about your eligibility for the DV lottery.
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The passport requirement is now a hard threshold — if you submit a DV lottery entry without valid passport information and you are not exempt, your entry will be disqualified. Attorneys recommend that applicants begin the passport process immediately, since delays in your home country's passport office are not a recognized exception. If you believe you qualify for an exemption, document that basis carefully before submitting your entry, and consider consulting an immigration attorney to confirm your eligibility.