Green Card lottery entry: steps and forms
November 8, 2026 3 min read
The US Diversity Immigrant Visa program (DV, often called the Green Card lottery) selects people each year by lottery from countries with low rates of immigration to the US. Entering costs almost nothing and is done online, but a small mistake, especially in the photo, can get an entry disqualified. This guide is based on the US Department of State's official instructions; it is for information only and is not legal advice.
Green Card photoA 600×600 photo under 240 kB for the DV entry.Who can enter?
You must be born in an eligible country (in some cases your spouse's or a parent's country of birth can count). You must also have at least a high school education, or two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience. Each year's instructions list which countries are eligible that year.
What you need to enter
Entries are made only on the US Department of State's official website, dvprogram.state.gov, during the registration period. Dates are announced each year; follow them only on travel.state.gov.
- 1Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form (E-DV, DS-5501): filled in online, there is no paper entry.
- 2A valid passport: from DV-2027 you must enter your passport details and upload a scan of its biographic page (Federal Register, 91 FR 11891, effective 10 April 2026).
- 3Registration fee: from DV-2027 a 1 dollar fee is charged when you enter (90 FR 44524). Do not pay anyone else for the entry.
- 4Photos: a separate photo of you, your spouse and every unmarried child under 21. You must list your spouse and children even if they will not come with you; leaving them out is a reason for disqualification.
- 5Confirmation number: keep the number you get after submitting. It is the only way to check your result.
Photo rules (the most common reason for disqualification)
The photo must be square, exactly 600×600 pixels, JPEG and at most 240 kB. It must be in colour, sharp, taken within the last six months against a plain white or off-white background. From chin to top of hair, the head must be 50% to 69% of the photo's height; face the camera straight on with a neutral expression and both eyes open. No eyeglasses. Reusing last year's photo or editing the photo is a reason for disqualification.
The Green Card photo tool brings your photo to these sizes, checks a finished photo and shows right and wrong examples.
Checking your result
Results are not sent by e-mail, letter or phone. From May of the year after registration, check Entrant Status Check on dvprogram.state.gov with your confirmation number. Messages saying you have won are scams.
If you are selected: next steps and forms
Being selected does not mean you get a visa; more people are selected than there are visas, and visas must be issued before the program year ends on 30 September. Acting quickly matters.
- 1DS-260 Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application: one for you and one for each spouse and child coming with you.
- 2Documents: passport, birth certificate, police certificates for everyone over 16, marriage or divorce documents, and a high school diploma or proof of work experience. Your selection notice explains which documents to send and how.
- 3Medical exam and vaccinations: with a physician approved by the embassy.
- 4Interview: at a US embassy or consulate; bring the originals of your documents.
- 5Fees: a 330 dollar DV application fee per person (paid only by selectees), and if the visa is issued, the USCIS immigrant fee paid online before you travel to the US.
- 6If you are lawfully in the US, you may apply to USCIS with Form I-485 (adjustment of status) instead of going through an embassy.
Beware of scams
Official websites end in .gov. No company or agent can raise your chances of being selected. You can fill in the entry form yourself; never share your confirmation number or passport details. E-mails asking for money beyond the official fees are not official.
For current and exact information, always read that year's DV instructions on travel.state.gov.