Diversity Visa (DV Lottery)

The Diversity Visa (DV) Program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery, is a United States government program that annually makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. The program is administered by the Department of State.

Eligibility requires that applicants were born in a qualifying country and have either a high school education or equivalent, or two years of qualifying work experience within the past five years. Applications are submitted online during a limited registration period, typically in October and November each year. Winners are selected randomly by computer.

Selected applicants must still go through the standard immigration process, including background checks, medical examinations, and interviews at a U.S. consulate. The DV program does not guarantee permanent residency. Citizens of countries that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years are not eligible, which currently excludes countries such as China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines.