The Department of State published details for the 2025 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. This program is also called the “green card lottery.” The Department of State is accepting applications from Wednesday, October 4 until noon on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
Eligibility to enter the lottery is based on country of birth. The government believes people from certain countries are already well represented in the U.S. Thus, people born in the following countries are not eligible to enter the lottery: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela, and Vietnam. Natives of Macau SAR and Taiwan are eligible.
Even if an individual is born in one of the excluded countries, one may still be eligible to enter based on one’s spouse’s country of birth. In some circumstances, one can also enter based on a parents’ country of birth. In addition, there are minimum education/work experience requirements in order to register.
To enter the lottery, go to the entry form on the Department of State website. Entering the lottery is free, but be very careful to read all the specific requirements, directions and guidelines — each year thousands of applicants are disqualified for failing to follow the correct registration procedures. Individuals with more than one entry will be disqualified. For detailed instructions, visit the Department of State website.
Applicants can go to www.dvprogram.state.gov to check the status of their entry. To see if you have been selected, use the unique confirmation number from your online entry registration and click on Entrant Status Check. If selected, you will be directed to a confirmation page with further instructions. Entrant Status Check is the only way to know if you were selected. The government will not separately mail or email a notification letter.
Please also be aware that “winning” the lottery does not guarantee a green card. If successful, all winners must then wait for their allotted number to become available and then submit a full green card application, including evidence of their background, qualifications and eligibility. We therefore strongly recommend that winners retain legal counsel to help navigate the complex process to apply for a green card.
Good luck to all who apply for their chance at the American dream!