DV 2028 Green Card Lottery: How to Apply
Learn how to enter the DV 2028 Diversity Visa lottery, eligibility rules, deadlines, and step-by-step application tips for the Green Card program.
The DV 2028 lottery (Diversity Visa Program for fiscal year 2028) will open registration in fall 2026. The U.S. Department of State runs this annual program to issue up to 55,000 green cards to applicants from eligible countries. Submitting a correct entry during the registration window is essential to qualify.
What Is the DV 2028 Program?
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly called the green card lottery, selects applicants at random from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. For DV 2028, the registration period is expected to run from early October to early November 2026. Winners are notified through the official Entrant Status Check on the State Department website starting in May 2027.
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Who Is Eligible to Apply for DV 2028?
To enter the DV 2028 lottery, you must meet two basic requirements:
- You must be a native of an eligible country. Nationals of countries that sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years are excluded. In 2026, Mexico, India, China, Brazil, the Philippines, and several others remain ineligible.
- You must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent, or two years of qualifying work experience in an occupation requiring at least two years of training.
- Each person may submit only one entry per registration period. Duplicate entries result in disqualification.
- Your spouse may also submit a separate entry if eligible, doubling your household's chances.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to complete your DV 2028 application correctly:
- Step 1. Visit dvprogram.state.gov only during the official registration window (October–November 2026).
- Step 2. Fill in your full legal name exactly as it appears on your passport.
- Step 3. Upload a recent digital photograph that meets the strict State Department specifications (600x600 pixels minimum, neutral background).
- Step 4. Enter country of birth — not country of citizenship.
- Step 5. Include all family members (spouse and unmarried children under 21) in the single entry.
- Step 6. Save your confirmation number. Without it, you cannot check your results in May 2027.
Key Deadlines and Costs for DV 2028
Registration for DV 2028 is completely free. The State Department charges no fee to enter the lottery. However, if selected, you will pay a visa application fee of approximately $330 per applicant in 2026. Winners must complete all processing steps before September 30, 2028, because unused visas expire at the end of the fiscal year.
Glossary of Key Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| DV Program | Diversity Visa Program — annual lottery for green cards |
| Fiscal Year 2028 | October 1, 2027 – September 30, 2028 |
| Selectee | An applicant chosen in the random lottery draw |
| Country of Chargeability | Country used to determine visa eligibility, usually country of birth |
| Adjustment of Status | Process to get a green card without leaving the U.S. |
| Consular Processing | Obtaining a visa at a U.S. embassy abroad |
Get Professional Help
Mistakes in your DV 2028 entry — including photo errors or name mismatches — lead to disqualification. Consulting a licensed immigration professional before you submit is strongly recommended. Ilya Fishkin, immigration attorney can review your entry, advise on eligibility questions, and assist with the full green card process if you are selected.
This material is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.