Green Card Lottery: Entry dates & deadlines

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.

This article will explain the Green Card Lottery entry dates and deadline.

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Keep reading to find out more.

What is the deadline to apply 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 does the Green Card Lottery process look like?

Here's what the process generally looks like:

Submission - Applicants apply in October/November.
Lottery - The following March of the new calendar year, the draw is conducted by 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.
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.

Everything you need to know about the Green Card Lottery (Diversity Visa)

The Diversity Visa process is also known as the Green Card Lottery, and it’s something that has become a popular way to get a green card for the United States.

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 your nonimmigrant status.

However, 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 program?

There is no fee charged to submit an electronic entry to the Green Card Lottery. However, if you are selected and apply for this 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.

How to apply for the Green Card Lottery entry

There are a few ways to submit an application for 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.

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:

First, complete the application form here, and fill out your details.
Second, review your details and pay for the processing fee with a debit or credit card.
Third, attach the required documents required and submit.

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

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 noon (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.

Your confirmation number from the application process is your passport to find out your status.

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