The DV2025 Diversity Visa Program will open from October 4 to November 7, 2023, and allows those from countries with low U.S. immigration rates, who meet eligibility requirements, to enter for a chance to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa. dvprogram.state.gov is the ONLY way to enter. Read the program instructions at travel.state.gov/dv.
Diversity Visa Lottery 2025 Preview: How to Apply & Key Dates
The Department of State has announced the open registration date for the Diversity Visa Lottery for 2025. The Diversity Visa Lottery 2025 entry period will open on October 4, 2023. Entries are open for all eligible applicants in addition to selectees from a prior program year who were unable to obtain a visa.
What is the Diversity Visa Lottery?
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program offers a chance at obtaining a green card to individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. In the fiscal year of 2025, the State Department plans to allocate 55,000 green cards to eligible foreign nationals. These lucky recipients will be chosen through a randomized computer drawing, often referred to as a lottery, among those who meet the program’s eligibility criteria.
There is no cost to register for the Diversity Visa program.
You also must be a citizen of any of the eligible DV countries listed here.
Information you will need to apply includes:
- Name, exactly as it appears on your passport
- Gender – male or female
- Date of birth
- City of birth
- Country of birth
- Country of eligibility for DV program
- Recent photographs of yourself, your spouse, and children
- Mailing address
- Current country of residence
- Phone number
- Email address
- Highest level of education
- Current marital status
- Number of children
After you submit your entry, it is very important to print out your confirmation page that has your unique confirmation number on it – this will be used to check your entry status later on.
The 2025 Diversity Visa Program opens at 12:00 p.m. EDT on October 4. Thinking about entering? Read our top 10 tips first!
10 Tips for Applying for DV-2025:
- Tip #1 – Read the instructions at dvprogram.state.gov to find out if you qualify. Do NOT enter if you do not meet the qualifications.
- Tip #2 – Only rely on U.S. government websites. Sites ending in “.gov” are the only official source of DV-2025 information.
- Tip #3 – Go to dvprogram.state.gov to submit your entry. This is the ONLY way to enter. Do not be fooled by scams or fraudulent sites.
- Tip #4 – There is NO fee to enter. Beware of those who claim they can improve your chances if you pay them, or who offer to complete your application for free.
- Tip #5 – Use a photo taken in the last six months. Using an old photo will disqualify you.
- Tip #6 – Only submit ONE entry per person. Individuals with more than one primary entry per DV season will be disqualified.
- Tip #7 – Remember to list your spouse and ALL unmarried children under the age of 21 in your application, even if they will not be traveling or immigrating with you. Incorrect or missing information in your entry can mean disqualification – even after you are selected.
- Tip #8 – Keep your unique confirmation number. You will need this to check the status of the entry when selections are made in May 2024.
- Tip #9 – Selections will be made in May 2024. The website dvprogram.state.gov/ESC is the ONLY way to see if you were selected. Do NOT be fooled by any letter or e-mail announcements; these are scams.
- Tip #10 – Remember, being selected does not guarantee you an interview or a visa.
Thinking about registering for #DV2025? Beware of those who offer to help you for money. There is NO fee to enter. Any individuals or services that claim they can increase your chances of being selected are being dishonest. DV selection is performed completely randomly from the eligible entries. There is only one entry allowed per person. You can submit yours at dvprogram.state.gov anytime between 12:00 p.m. EDT on October 4 and 12:00 p.m. EST November 7.