A chance to win a green card
DV Lottery — Diversity Visa
The Diversity Visa program awards 55,000 green cards a year to citizens of countries with low U.S. immigration rates. Entry is free; you complete one online form once a year, typically October–November.
Key facts
Duration
Permanent residence (green card)
Cost
Registration: FREE. If selected: $330 visa fee + $220 USCIS Immigrant Fee
Processing time
Register Oct–Nov, results in May, visa by September 30 of the next year
Path to green card
This IS the green card — you get it upon entry after winning
Who this is for
- •Citizen of an eligible country (Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, most CIS — yes; Mexico, China, India — no).
- •High school diploma (12 years) OR 2 years of qualifying work experience in the past 5 years.
- •Ready to relocate to the U.S. within a year of winning.
- •Age 18+ (no formal lower limit to register but visa requires adulthood).
Who this is NOT for
- •Citizen of an excluded country (high-immigration countries).
- •Neither 12 years of education nor 2 years of qualifying work experience.
- •Not ready to relocate within a year.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Register (Oct–Nov)
Free at dvprogram.state.gov. Only one entry per person — duplicates disqualify both. Save your confirmation number.
- 2
Wait for results
Results appear in May on the same site. No emails — check via your confirmation number.
- 3
If selected — DS-260
Fill out the DS-260 immigrant visa application online and prepare documents.
- 4
Medical exam and interview
Complete medical exam with an approved doctor, attend interview at U.S. embassy.
- 5
Receive visa
Visa stamped in passport; enter the U.S. before it expires (usually 6 months).
- 6
Green card by mail
After entry, USCIS mails the physical green card to your U.S. address (~3–6 weeks).
Required documents
- ›Passport (valid through entry date)
- ›Digital photo per State Department specs
- ›High school diploma/certificate (translated)
- ›Proof of work experience (if no diploma)
- ›Birth certificate
- ›Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- ›Police certificates from every country lived in since age 16
- ›Medical exam results
Common mistakes
- ⚠Submitting multiple entries — both are disqualified.
- ⚠Uploading an incorrectly formatted photo (most common reason for rejection).
- ⚠Losing the confirmation number — you can't check results without it.
- ⚠Delaying DS-260 after winning — annual visa quota may run out before your case number is reached.
Frequently asked questions
What are the odds of winning?+
Depends on country: roughly 0.5–1.5% for Russia, 1–3% for Ukraine, higher for Uzbekistan. It's free — worth entering every year.
Should I include spouse and children in the entry?+
You must include your spouse and all unmarried children under 21, even if they don't plan to immigrate. Omitting them is grounds for disqualification.
Important: This page is a general overview, not legal advice. U.S. immigration law is complex and changes often. Consult a licensed attorney before filing.
Need advice on this visa?
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