DV Program Registration:
Applicants must submit entries for the DV-2024 program electronically at dvprogram.state.gov between noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Wednesday, October 5, 2022, and noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5), Tuesday, November 8, 2022. We recommend that you do not wait until the last week of the registration period to enter, as heavy demand may result in website delays. No late entries or paper entries will be accepted. The law allows only one entry per person during each entry period. The Department of State uses sophisticated technology to detect multiple entries. Submission of more than one entry will render you ineligible for a DV.
Entrants must submit a photo taken within the last six months that is compliant with specifications published in the DV-2024 Instructions. Entries that include the same photo submitted with a previous year’s entry or that do not meet specifications will render the entrant ineligible for a DV. In prior years, the Department asked applicants to provide information from a valid, unexpired passport at the time of DV entry. Entrants are no longer required to have a valid passport at the time of submitting their DV entry.
Detailed instructions on how to apply can be found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-instructions.html
Registered entries that comply with form submission instructions will result in display of a confirmation screen page that contains the entrant’s name and confirmation number, which the entrant should print. The confirmation screen page will provide information the entrant must use to check the status of their entry electronically through the Entrant Status Check available at dvprogram.state.gov. Only entrants who have their confirmation information will be able to check their Entrant Status and, if selected, receive application instructions and notification of their IV interview appointment. A link on the ESC page will allow entrants to retrieve their confirmation number by entering their email address, last name, and year of birth.
Checking your Entry Status:
Based on the allocations of available visas in each region and country, the Department of State will randomly select individuals by computer from among qualified entries. All DV-2023 entrants must go to the Entrant Status Check using the unique confirmation number saved from their DV-2023 online entry registration to find out whether their entry has been selected in the DV program. Entrant Status Check will be available on the E-DV website at dvprogram.state.gov beginning May 8, 2022, through September 30, 2023.
If your entry is selected, you will be directed to a confirmation page providing further instructions, including information about fees connected with immigration to the United States.
Diversity Visa Program Scammers Sending Fraudulent Emails and Letters
Beware of fraud and scams. Some websites and emails attempt to mislead customers, posing as providers of official U.S. government information. Read our Fraud Warning here.
The Department of State, Office of Visa Services, advises the public of a notable increase in fraudulent emails and letters sent to Diversity Visa (DV) program (Visa Lottery) applicants. The scammers behind these fraudulent emails and letters are posing as the U.S. government in an attempt to extract payment from DV applicants. Remember that fees for the DV application process are paid to the U.S. Embassy or consulate cashier at the time of your scheduled appointment. The U.S. government will never ask you to send payment in advance by check, money order, or wire transfer.
While DV applicants may receive an email from the U.S. government reminding them to check their status online through DV Entrant Status Check, they will not receive a notification letter or email informing them that they are a successful DV entrant. Applicants can only find out if they were selected to continue with DV processing by checking their status online through the DV Entrant Status.
