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The DV 2025 Diversity Visa Lottery, also known as the 2025 Visa Lottery, Green Card Lottery, diversity visa draw or the hype, is a United States government program that grants up to 55,000 permanent residence visas every year to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
Participating in this program represents a unique opportunity to gain US residency legally. However, it is important to fully understand the requirements, the selection process, and the steps to follow to maximize your chances of success.
What will you learn in this important enrollment guide?
In this guide we share the official information about the 2025 Visa Lottery of the United States Department of State from the perspective of a United States immigration lawyer with more than 20 years of legal experience helping to guide thousands of immigrants.
- Eligibility Requirements
- How to register
- Selection process
- Steps to follow if you are selected
- Tips to avoid fraud
At the end of reading, you will have the necessary knowledge to participate in the 2025 Visa Lottery and maximize your chances of winning US residency. Let’s get started!
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in the 2025 Visa Lottery, you must meet the following requirements established by United States immigration laws:
1. Be a native of an eligible country
The primary requirement is to be a native of a country eligible for the program. This means that you must have been born in one of the countries included in the list of eligible countries.
Generally, eligible countries are those that have had low immigration rates to the United States within the last five years. Countries with high immigration rates are excluded.
The list of eligible countries is updated every year. Below you will find the list of countries eligible for DV-2025.
2. Completed secondary education or qualified work experience
You must meet one of these two requirements:
- Complete secondary educationequivalent to 12 years of schooling.
- Two years of qualified work experience in the last five years in occupations such as engineering, nursing, accounting, etc.
The official DV program website contains a list of occupations and their classifications to check if your work experience qualifies.
3. Meet general immigrant visa requirements
In addition to the two requirements above, you must meet all other general requirements to obtain an immigrant visa, including:
- Have no criminal record
- Not have excluding health problems
- Demonstrate that you will not be a public charge in the US.
List of countries eligible for DV-2025
A key factor to participate is being a native of a country eligible for the diversity program. This is determined by country of birth, no matter your current place of residence.
North America
Natives of Canada and Mexico “No” qualify for the 2025 diversity visa lottery.
Only Bahamian natives can participate in North America.
Central and South America and the Caribbean
Natives of the following countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean “are” eligible for DV-2025:
Old and bearded
Argentina
Barbados
Belize
Bolivia
Chili
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominica
Ecuador
Grenade
Guatemala
Guyana
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Surinam
Trinidad and Tobago
Uruguay
Natives of the following countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean “No” are eligible for DV-2025:
Brazil
Colombia
The Savior
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Dominican Republic
Venezuela
Africa
Natives of all African countries are eligible to apply for the 2025 visa lottery, except Nigeria that does not qualify this year.
Asia
In Asia, the natives of the following countries No eligible for DV-2025: Bangladesh, China (including Hong Kong), India, Pakistan, South Korea, Philippines and Vietnam. The rest of the Asian countries can participate.
Europe
There are no European countries excluded from the 2025 visa lottery. Natives of all European countries can register.
Oceania
All countries in the Oceania region can participate in the 2025 green card lottery.
See the full list of countries on the official program page with the Instructions for the 2025 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program Before signing up: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Diversity-Visa/DV-Instructions-Translations/dv-2025-instructions-translations/DV-2025_Instructions-faqs.pdf
How to register for the 2025 Visa Lottery
If you meet the aforementioned requirements, the next thing is to register for the DV-2025 program. The process is free and quite simple.
Registration dates
The registration period for the 2025 Visa Lottery is limited and you must act immediately.
Applicants must submit their applications to the DV-2025 program electronically at dvprogram.state.gov between 12:00 pm (noon) Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Wednesday, October 4, 2023and 12:00 pm (noon) Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5), the Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
You have only those dates to complete your application. It is recommended to do it as soon as possible within the deadline to avoid system congestion. Late or paper registrations are not accepted.
Electronic Form DS-5501
You must complete the electronic form DS-5501 from the United States Department of State available on the official website of the program:
https://dvprogram.state.gov/
The form requests basic personal information such as:
- Name and surname
- Birthdate
- City of birth
- Country of eligibility
- Gender
- Civil status
- Number of children
- Education level
You must also include a recent photograph of yourself that meets the specific requirements detailed in the 2025 Visa Lottery instructions.
Recommendations for completer your request
We leave you some tips to fill out the DS-5501 form successfully:
- Use an updated browser
- Fill out the form directly on the website
- Provide clear and truthful information
- Completely review your data before submitting
- Print or save the shipping receipt
- Do not pay third parties to complete the form unless you do not want to or can do the process yourself.
Only the official website dvprogram.state.gov is reliable.
Be wary of fraudulent communications that try to charge you or steal personal information.
Winner selection process
Once you enroll in the 2025 Visa Lottery, your application is entered into a random electronic drawing conducted by the United States government. Let’s see how this process works:
- The United States Department of State allocates a certain number of visas to each region of the world.
- Within each region, all applications received are listed and randomly selected through a computerized system.
- The first applications selected in each region get the first ranking numbers. This will determine their priority if they eventually qualify for a visa.
- It is essential to save your confirmation number that you receive when submitting the electronic application, as it is the only way to verify your status in the draw.
Applicant Status Check System (Entrant Status Check)
You must use the Entry Status Check system available on the official Visa Lottery website to verify whether you were selected or not.
This system will be available from Thursday May 4, 2024 and will show whether or not your application was selected in the electronic draw.
If you were selected, the system will also provide you with the dates and details of your appointment for the visa interview at the corresponding United States consulate.
Appointment and visa distribution
Interviews for the DV-2025 Visa Lottery begin in October 2024. The specific date will depend on appointment availability and your classification number assigned in the drawing.
Remember that the program issues a maximum of 55,000 visas per year and these are assigned in order of selection.
All available visas must be awarded by September 30, 2025so it is advisable to act quickly once your number is eligible.
Requirements for derived family members
Another important aspect of the Visa Lottery is the benefits that some family members derived from the main applicant can obtain.
If you are selected in the draw, your following family members can receive a visa along with you:
- Spouse
- Single children under 21 years of age
These family members can obtain US residency based on your status as a lottery winner, but you must include them in your initial application for them to qualify.
Requirements for spouse and children
Your spouse and derived children must meet the same basic immigrant visa requirements as you to be able to accompany you. This includes:
- Have no criminal record
- Pass medical exams
- Be admissible to the United States under immigration laws
Additionally, it is essential to include complete information about each family member in your application, such as names, dates of birth, cities of birth, and photographs.
If you do not include an eligible dependent on your original application, they will not qualify for residency through the lottery.
Exceptions
It is not necessary to include in the application family members who at the time of your registration are already:
- American citizens
- US legal permanent residents
Steps to follow if you are selected
If you use the Entry Status Check system and confirm that you were selected in the 2025 Visa Lottery, congratulations!
Next, you must follow these steps to complete your immigrant visa application:
1. Form DS-260
You will need to complete form DS-260 to apply for your diversity immigrant visa. This electronic form requests more detailed information about your personal, educational and employment history.
You must also include your spouse’s information. e and any derivative family member you included in the initial application.
2. Gather supporting documentation
The consulate will inform you what documents you must present at the interview to verify that you meet all the requirements.
Some examples are: birth certificate, police certificates, academic degrees, medical records, etc.
3. Pay visa fees
There are fees that you will have to pay for each visa application. You must pay these fees during the consular interview.
4. Attend the consular interview
Once the consulate processes all your documents, they will assign you an interview appointment, where they will determine whether to approve or deny your diversity visa application.
Visa requirements and possible causes of ineligibility
It is important to keep in mind that having been selected in the lottery does not guarantee that you will receive the visa. During the process, a consular officer will determine your actual eligibility through the interview and background check.
There are some reasons why you could be denied a diversity visa. The most common are:
- Criminal record
- Excluding health problems
- Previous visa or immigration violations, including living in the United States without authorization
They will also evaluate security risks, likelihood of becoming a public charge, and your transparency in providing information.
Omit details or lie It is a cause of permanent rejection. If your visa is approved, you will receive the travel package stamped with the immigrant visa.
Adjustment of status within the United States for winners
If you are already in the United States and are selected in the lottery, there is the option to adjust your status and become a permanent resident without having to travel outside the country.
Requirements for adjustment of status
To qualify for adjustment of status, you must:
- Have been selected in the DV Visa Lottery
- Find yourself physically in the US.
- Not having accessed through fraudulent means
- Be eligible for permanent residence
You must also meet all general immigrant visa requirements.
Application process
To request the adjustment, you must submit Form I-485 to the local USCIS office, along with:
- Fee payment
- Photographs
- Fingerprints
- Additional forms
Required documentation
USCIS will require supporting documentation such as:
- Birth certificate
- Criminal record
- Medical certificates
- Funds Test
You should begin gathering this documentation as soon as possible after filing the I-485.
USCIS will review your case and call you for an interview where they will determine whether or not to approve your permanent residence.
Deadline
All adjustment of status requests must be approved before the September 30, 2025deadline to award diversity visas.
Common Visa Lottery Frauds and Scams
Unfortunately, there is a lot of fraud surrounding the Visa Lottery. Scammers prey on people desperate to immigrate to the United States.
Some common scams
- Registration fees
- Form Preparation Services
- Fake Notifications and Websites
- Sale of information about alleged winners
Tips for identifying fraud
Be aware of:
- Pressure to pay for services
- False guarantees
- Personal information requirements
Other useful tips:
- Don’t pay for free government services
- Check the legitimacy of emails
- Research reviews before using outside agencies
- If it’s too good to be true, it’s probably fraud
Only the dvprogram.state.gov site is official. Report any fraudulent activity to the relevant authorities.
Useful links from US agencies
To obtain 100% reliable information, we recommend you directly visit the following official US government websites:
- travel.state.gov – Dept. Instructions of State
- dvprogram.state.gov – Registration and Tracking Portal
- uscis.gov – USCIS information on adjustment of status
- usembassy.gov – US embassy and consulate sites
Conclusion – Summary of key points
Participating in the Diversity Visa Lottery represents an invaluable opportunity to gain permanent residency in the United States through legal means.
In this guide we provide you with the necessary knowledge to enroll and maximize your chances of success. Let’s summarize the most important points:
Requirements
- Confirm that you meet all detailed requirements
Inscription
- Sign up only on established dates
- Save your confirmation number
If you are selected
- Act quickly and complete the required steps
- Diligently gather your documentation
Consular interview
- Attend your appointment at the consulate on time
Avoid fraud
- Be careful and only use reliable sources
Applying to the lottery requires an investment of your time, but it is worth the effort. Good luck!
Thank you for trusting this guide based on 100% official sources to participate in the DV-2025 Visa Lottery. We hope you find the information provided useful!
immigration consultation
Anyone with questions about U.S. immigration law, including how to register for the 2025 visa lottery, should immediately consult with a licensed and experienced U.S. immigration attorney to determine their immigration legal options.
Dr. Nelson A. Castillo is an immigration attorney with over 20 years of legal experience and author of The Green Card: How to Obtain Permanent Residency in the United States. He is a former President of the National Hispanic Bar Association and the Westlake South Los Angeles Neighborhood Council.
For information on how to consult with Dr. Castillo, click here.
Frequent questions
What is the diversity visa program?
The diversity visa program, also known as the visa lottery, is an immigrant visa program that grants visas to citizens of countries with low levels of immigration to the United States.
What are the requirements to participate in the visa lottery?
Requirements to participate in the visa lottery include being a citizen of a qualifying country, having completed secondary education, or having two years of work experience in an eligible occupation.
How to register for the visa lottery?
You can register for the visa lottery by completing the online registration form during the registration period, which generally opens in October and November.
When does the call for the visa lottery open?
The visa lottery application generally opens in early October and closes in early November each year.
Which countries can participate in the visa lottery?
The visa lottery is open to citizens of countries with a low immigration rate. Countries that qualify to participate may vary each year.
When will the 2025 visa lottery registration period begin?
The 2025 visa lottery registration period will begin on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
When does the registration period for the 2025 visa lottery close?
The registration period for the 2025 visa lottery closes on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
How many visas are granted through the visa lottery?
Currently, approximately 55,000 diversity immigrant visas are granted through the visa lottery each year.
What is the maximum number of years a participant must wait to receive a diversity immigrant visa for fiscal year 2025?
The winners of the 2025 visa lottery will be announced in the Entry Status Check system available on the official website of the Visa Lottery starting on Thursday May 4, 2024.
All available diversity visas must be awarded by September 30, 2025.
This means that the winners of the drawing have approximately 1 year, 4 months and 26 days to claim their immigrant visa and legally immigrate to the United States.
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For more information and immigration advice, visit my website Immigration Today®.
Send your questions to questions@consultamigratoria.com. Include detailed information about your situation to better answer their questions.
The purpose of this column is to provide general information. The outcome of the information presented by Dr. Nelson A. Castillo cannot be guaranteed or predicted. The information should not be taken as legal advice for any individual, case or situation. This column could be considered an advertisement by the Rules of Professional Conduct of attorneys in several states, including California and New York. Consult with an immigration attorney to receive personalized legal advice before beginning any immigration process.