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Green Card Lottery: Entry dates & deadlines
Photo of Ra'eesah Manack Ra'eesah Manack
8 min read
Updated on Feb 12, 2025
Summary
  • In this article, we'll help you avoid missing important opportunities to apply for the US Green Card Lottery.

  • By understanding the timeline and requirements, you’ll be well-prepared for the process with the right documents and application steps.

  • Knowing the exact entry dates and deadlines allows you to submit your applications early, and therefore, avoid technical issues or last-minute problems.

The US Department of State annually offers a Diversity Visa Program allowing more than 50,000 foreign nationals to obtain a green card to live in the United States legally.

Each year, the Green Card Lottery allows randomly selected people to obtain their permanent residency (as long as they’re from valid countries for the program). While the application process is easier than other visas, it still has some nuances to navigate.

Here’s what you need to know about the Green Card Lottery entry dates and deadlines to be well-prepared for the application.

people usa greencard

What is the deadline for applying for the Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery)?

The entry period for the DV-2025 Diversity Visa Program was between October 4, 2023, and November 7, 2023. Entries for this period have closed.

However, over the next few years, you can apply during the following periods:

  • DV-2026: October 2024 - November 2024

  • DV-2027: October 2025 - November 2025

  • DV-2028: October 2026 - November 2026

Exact dates will be announced on the US government website over time, so be sure to check back regularly.

What requirements are necessary to apply for the Green Card Lottery?

Before starting the application, you must ensure you’re eligible for the DV Lottery Program of the corresponding year. You can check by reading the list of eligible countries through the US government website. Most of the time, the eligible countries are those with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.

If you’re not a citizen of any of the eligible countries, you can still qualify if:

  • Your spouse is a native of a country with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. In that case, you can claim your spouse’s country of birth provided that you and your spouse are named on the selected entry, are found eligible and issued diversity visas, and enter the United States at the same time.

  • You’re a native of a country that doesn’t have historically low rates of immigration to the United States, but in which neither of your parents was born or legally resident at the time of your birth. In that case, you may claim the country of birth of one of your parents if it is a country whose natives are eligible for the DV program.

The US government's eligibility criteria focus on where you were born, not necessarily where you are a current resident. Your country of birth determines eligibility under the Diversity Visa Lottery, meaning someone born in a non-eligible country cannot apply, even if they live in an eligible country.

Here are some other factors to consider when entering the Green Card Lottery:

1.Children: Children under 21 can be included as dependents on a parent’s Diversity Visa application. Both biological and legally adopted children are eligible.

2.Individual applicant: Single applicants must meet the education or work experience requirement individually. There are no exceptions based on family ties for this criterion.

3.Short-term business: Applying for a green card through short-term business travel (B1/B2) is not allowed. You must apply from outside the US or transition through a work visa if staying longer.

4.Multiple entry: While a green card allows multiple entries into the US, applicants waiting for approval should avoid traveling on temporary visas that might affect their green card eligibility.

5.Temporary visitor: Temporary visa holders are typically not eligible to adjust their status to a green card unless they qualify for specific categories like family sponsorship or employment-based petitions.

6.Married to US citizens: Spouses of US citizens can apply for a green card through family sponsorship, which usually has shorter processing times than the lottery or employment categories.

7.Special status (refugees/asylees): Refugees and asylees can apply for a green card after one year of residence in the US under that status.

Applying for the Green Card Lottery might seem straightforward—until unexpected roadblocks turn the process into a nightmare.

“I got this email saying I’d won the Green Card Lottery,” shared one frustrated applicant. “They asked me to pay a processing fee, so I sent the money immediately. Then I found out it was a scam—the official process doesn’t even charge fees like that!”

This kind of fear and uncertainty can leave you questioning every step. When you use iVisa, there’s no guesswork. Our minimal service fee is completely transparent and goes toward ensuring your application and photo meet US standards. We’ll handle the process for you, so you can apply confidently—no scams, no surprises.

Document requirements to start the Green Card Lottery application

Once you confirm you’re eligible, you’ll need the following to start the application online:

  • Personal information, including your full name (exactly as it appears on your passport), gender, birth date, the city where you were born, the country where you were born, and country of eligibility for the DV Program.

  • A valid photograph. It must meet the same standards as US visa photos.

  • Your mailing address (Physical mailing address).

  • Phone number (optional)

  • Valid email address. This is important to receive follow-up email communication from the Department of State if selected.

  • Information about the highest level of education you have achieved (as of the time of your entry).

  • Information about your marital status and personal information of your spouse (depending on your marital status and if you’re applying with your spouse).

  • The US government may also require you to show proof of police clearance, birth certificates, financial support, education and work verification, and medical examination results.

Note: These requirements are only for entering the lottery. If you win the Green Card Lottery, you’ll need extra documents for the visa interview.

For a list of documents required for the interview you can check on the Diversity Program Website.

What does the Green Card Lottery process look like?

Here's what the process generally looks like:

  • Submission - Apply in October/November.

  • Lottery - The following March of the new calendar year, the draw is conducted using a random computerized system.

  • Result - The lottery results are made public the following May and applicants can check online if they were selected.

  • Application - Winners apply for their Green Card by meeting all requirements and background checks, and pay the visa fee.

  • Consular Interview - If selected in the lottery, you’ll need to attend an in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate. You’ll need to take the necessary documents to the interview, and you’ll be asked questions about your application.

  • Receive Green Card - Applicants who won the Green Card Lottery and successfully received the visa may enter the United States of America at any time in the next calendar year as permanent residents.

How to enter for the Green Card Lottery

There are a few ways to enter the Green Card Lottery once the window opens:

1.Via the government website

Simply go to the official DV Program website, confirm your eligibility, and follow the instructions.

iVisa pro tip: Spotted a “.com” website decked out with American flags, official-looking seals, and bold claims about guaranteeing your Green Card Lottery win? Stay cautious—it’s likely a scam. Scammers love making their sites look legitimate, but they’re often running their schemes from hidden locations the US government can’t touch. Stick with trusted platforms like iVisa to avoid falling for these traps.

2.Via iVisa

We offer a simplified application form and an expert review of it before submission.

You’ll only have to follow these simple steps:

1.Complete the application form on our website or the iVisa app and fill out your details. During this step, you’ll have to select a trip date first (you can choose just an approximate date). You’ll also have to enter your passport information

2.Review your details and pay for the processing fee with a debit or credit card. This fee is the only fee we require to submit your application and help you with the process since you’ll receive proper guidance on it. You’ll also be able to get help from one of our agents and receive extra information on the next steps through email.

3.Attach the required documents (the photograph) to finish the application.

After that, you’ll have to wait for the confirmation email. In this email, you’ll get instructions about the next steps.

Watch this video for a quick US Green Card application tutorial:

What's the next step after finishing the application?

If you’re selected for the Green Card Lottery, you must submit a visa application and attend a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate.

You’ll start by filling out the DS-260 form, which is available online, and it must be completed in English.

The entire interview process is conducted in English, although translators are usually available for non-English-speaking applicants.

How to check the status of your Green Card Lottery entry

Whether you've applied for DV-2025 or DV-2024, staying informed about the status of your application is crucial.

First, go to the official DV Program website and click the button 'Check Status'.

  • For DV-2025 entrants: If you've thrown your hat into the ring for the DV-2025 cycle, you can start checking your application status starting at 12 pm (EDT) on May 4, 2024.

It's essential to hold onto your confirmation number until at least September 30, 2025,, as this is your key to accessing your status information.

  • For DV-2024 entrants: For those who applied for the DV-2024, you have until September 30, 2024, to check the status of your entry. The application period for DV-2024 ran from October 5, 2022, until November 8, 2022.

iVisa insider tip: If you’re pre-selected for the Green Card Lottery, you’ll get a new case number—it’s different from the one assigned when you first submitted your application. Here’s the thing: the smaller your number, the better your chances. “If your case number is closer to 0, you’ll likely be interviewed earlier,” shares Cami, one of our visa experts. Numbers in the higher range, like 36,750, might face tougher odds.

If you're looking to apply for another type of US visa and you qualify for the ESTA, you can find more information on this page.

Will entering the Green Card Lottery affect my eligibility for an immigrant visa?

Technically, entering into the Green Card Lottery is equivalent to filing an immigrant petition. If your name is selected in the lottery, you may have trouble renewing a non-immigrant visa.

If you are selected, you will get permanent residency anyway. Just entering will not impact your current status.

How much does it cost to enter the Green Card Lottery?

There is no fee charged to submit an electronic entry to the Green Card Lottery. However, if you are selected and apply for the Diversity Visa, you must pay all required visa fees of about US$330 at the time of visa application.

However, keep in mind additional costs of gathering and submitting documents, undergoing medical and background checks, legal costs, and travel costs.

Where can I get more information?

If you still have questions about the DV Lottery Program, feel free to contact us via WhatsApp or iVisa chat.

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