How to Apply for the DV Lottery: Step-by-Step Registration Guide

Most people who are disqualified from the green card lottery never get past the registration phase. Not because they were ineligible — but because they submitted an incorrect photograph, entered a name that didn't match their passport, or let a third party enter on their behalf.

This guide covers exactly what you need to register for the DV lottery correctly, including the new requirements that took effect for the DV-2027 cycle.

Before You Register: Confirm Your Eligibility

Step 1: Check your country of birth.

Eligibility is based on where you were born, not where you live or what passport you hold. Countries excluded from the current cycle are those that sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. over the previous five years. Currently excluded: China (mainland), India, Mexico, Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, Canada, United Kingdom, and Brazil.

Exceptions worth knowing:

• Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible (separate from mainland China)
• Northern Ireland is eligible (separate from the UK)
• If your birth country is ineligible, you may use your spouse's country of birth if it qualifies (cross-chargeability), provided you both enter simultaneously

Step 2: Confirm your education or work experience.

You need one of the following:

• A high school diploma (or equivalent 12-year secondary education) — GED certificates do not qualify
• Two years of qualifying work experience within the past five years in a skilled occupation (Job Zone 4 or 5 on O*NET, SVP rating 7.0 or higher)

You don't submit proof at registration, but you must be truthful. If you're selected and can't verify your education or work experience at the interview, you'll be denied.

What You Need to Register

Gather these before opening the registration portal:

Valid passport. For DV-2027, every principal applicant must provide their unexpired passport information and upload a JPEG scan of the passport's biographic page (the page with your photo and personal details) and the signature page. The name you enter must match the passport exactly — character by character, including middle names and name order.

A compliant photograph. Photo errors are the single most common reason for automatic disqualification. The requirements:

• JPEG format, 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels, maximum 240 KB
• Your head must fill 50%–69% of the frame height
• Plain white or off-white background with no shadows
• No eyeglasses (prohibited since 2016)
• Taken within the last 6 months
• Head coverings only for religious reasons, and they must not obscure any part of the face

Take the photo seriously. The initial screening is automated — a photo that fails the technical check gets your entry rejected immediately.

Family information. You must list your spouse (if married) and all living unmarried children under 21, including stepchildren and legally adopted children — even if they will not immigrate with you. Omitting a child or spouse is grounds for disqualification at the interview stage.

How Much Does the DV Lottery Cost?

Is the DV lottery free? The registration itself was free for decades. Starting with DV-2027, the Department of State introduced a $1 electronic registration fee. This is paid at the time of entry via credit or debit card at dvprogram.state.gov. The fee is non-refundable.

That $1 is the only cost at registration. The significant costs come later if you're selected: $330 for consular processing, $150–$500 for the medical exam, $220 for the USCIS immigrant fee after arrival, and $50–$200 for documents like police certificates and translations. Total post-selection costs run $750–$1,250 per applicant.

How to Submit Your Entry

The registration portal opens in early October each year at dvprogram.state.gov. The window runs for approximately 35 days. There are no extensions.

Step 1: Go to dvprogram.state.gov — the official U.S. government site. Do not use any third-party site. Paid "agents" who offer to register on your behalf are either scams or the source of fraudulent duplicate entries that will get you disqualified.

Step 2: Fill in your personal information exactly as it appears on your passport. This includes: full legal name, date of birth, country of birth, country of chargeability (usually the same as country of birth), and current mailing address.

Step 3: Upload your compliant photo as a JPEG.

Step 4: Upload the scan of your passport's biographic page and signature page.

Step 5: Enter your spouse's and children's information. Each person requires their own photo.

Step 6: Pay the $1 registration fee.

Step 7: Review and submit. After submission, you'll receive a confirmation number. Write it down and store it in multiple places. This number is the only way to check your results in May — it cannot be recovered if lost.

The One-Entry Rule

Submit only one entry. Submitting multiple entries for the same person voids all of them. The Department of State uses facial recognition software to identify duplicates — including entries submitted by different parties on the same person's behalf.

If you want to increase your household's odds, both you and your spouse can each submit separate individual entries, with each listing the other as a derivative. That's the only legitimate way to double your chances.

After You Submit

The drawing occurs after the registration window closes. Results are announced in early May via the Entrant Status Check (ESC) on the official website. Check by entering your confirmation number — that's why saving it matters.

The government never notifies winners by email, SMS, or postal mail. If you receive any communication claiming you've won the lottery, it's a scam.

If you're selected, your next steps begin immediately. The DS-260 form, document collection, medical exam, and consular interview must all be completed before September 30 of the program year. For applicants with high case numbers in competitive regions, that window can be as short as a few months.

The US Diversity Visa Lottery Guide walks through the entire post-selection process — from DS-260 submission through interview preparation — so you're ready the moment results are announced.