--- title: Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) — United States (2026) description: Free complete guide to the Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) visa for United States. Eligibility, costs, documents, process, and FAQ. Updated 2026. image: https://migrantiq.com/og/default.png --- Skip to content United States flag [/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflagcdn.com%2Fw80%2Fus.png&w=3840&q=75]DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY (DV) Category: Migration · Processing time: 17-30 weeks Editorially reviewedLast updated 2026-05-29Reviewed by MigrantIQ Editorial TeamOfficial visa portal ↗ [https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-lottery.html] Review due soon 3 min readCommunity feedback: open Save visa to plan Visa decisions require official verification MigrantIQ provides general migration information, not legal advice. Always verify critical steps with official government sources or a licensed advisor before paying fees or submitting documents. Terms [/terms/]Privacy [/privacy/]Report an issue [/contact/] AI-assisted. Parts of this page may be drafted with AI and editor-reviewed. Always confirm rules, fees, and hours on official government sources before you act. How we use AI [/about/ai/] · Editorial standards [/about/editorial-standards/] Apply through official authority U.S. Department of State Always submit applications through the official source. Last verified 2026-05-29. Apply on official site → [https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-lottery.html] Visa type Migration Processing time 17-30 weeks Fees MinIncomePoints: , Validity The visa is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance. Stay duration Holders can stay indefinitely as long as they maintain their permanent resident status. Entry type Confirm single/multiple entry rules Insurance Confirm if required Bookmark Save this visa to My Plan OVERVIEW Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) is an immigration pathway to permanent residence. It takes 5 years to achieve permanent residency and another 5 years to apply for citizenship. * Leads to permanent residency: Yes * Requires job offer: No * Language required: No * Minimum education: Not specified * Financial requirement: No specific financial requirement, but applicants must demonstrate they will not become a public charge. ESTIMATED COSTS * - MinIncomePoints: , * - MinSavings: , * - PathToPr: 5 years * - PathToCitizenship: 5 years REQUIRED DOCUMENTS * - Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of entry. * - Recent passport-sized photographs. * - Proof of education or work experience. * - Confirmation of your DV lottery application. * - Medical examination results. APPLICATION STEPS 1. Check eligibility for the Diversity Visa Lottery. 2. Complete the online application form during the registration period. 3. Submit the application and receive a confirmation number. 4. If selected, follow the instructions for the visa interview. 5. Attend the visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. 6. Receive the visa and prepare for travel to the U.S. Always confirm the latest steps and forms on the official portal: U.S. Department of State → [https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-lottery.html] TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIREMENT * Mandatory: Confirm with official source * Minimum coverage: Confirm current coverage rules * Valid regions: Confirm accepted regions * Approved providers: Use providers accepted by the official authority EMBASSY, CONSULATE & APPOINTMENTS Embassy, consulate, jurisdiction, and appointment details vary by applicant location. Confirm the correct office before booking travel or paying fees. Open appointment or official portal → [https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-lottery.html] Browse foreign embassies in United States (MigrantIQ directory) → [/embassies/in/united-states/] Directory listings are for planning only — not legal advice. Confirm jurisdiction and appointment rules on the official portal. Application checklist TRACK YOUR DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY (DV) PREPARATION Check items off as you prepare. Progress is saved in this browser and can be synced from My Plan. 0 / 14 complete * Confirm Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) requirements on the official United States immigration source.U.S. Department of State * Review the eligibility rules and note anything that needs evidence.Check whether this pathway accepts self-sponsored applicants. * Prepare document: Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of entry.Check whether translation, notarization, apostille, or certified copies are required. * Prepare document: Recent passport-sized photographs.Check whether translation, notarization, apostille, or certified copies are required. * Prepare document: Proof of education or work experience.Check whether translation, notarization, apostille, or certified copies are required. * Prepare document: Confirmation of your DV lottery application.Check whether translation, notarization, apostille, or certified copies are required. * Prepare document: Medical examination results.Check whether translation, notarization, apostille, or certified copies are required. * Complete step: Check eligibility for the Diversity Visa Lottery. * Complete step: Complete the online application form during the registration period. * Complete step: Submit the application and receive a confirmation number. * Complete step: If selected, follow the instructions for the visa interview. * Complete step: Attend the visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. * Pay only through official channels and save receipts.Avoid bank transfers to personal accounts or agents promising guaranteed approval. * Save a full copy of forms, uploads, payment receipts, and appointment confirmations. Clear checklistSync checklist in My Plan → [/plan/] GET VISA CHECKLIST UPDATES Receive relevant reminders and source updates for Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) in United States. Get reminders BENEFITS & WHAT THIS VISA ALLOWS * - Citizenship timeline: 5 years Trust & safety BEFORE YOU PAY OR SUBMIT DOCUMENTS Use the official portal for applications and payments. Be careful with agents who guarantee approval, ask for personal-account transfers, or pressure you to send originals before a written contract. Official portal → [https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-lottery.html] RELEVANT LAWS * Immigration Status and Overstay Rules [/laws/united-states/immigration-status-and-overstay-rules/] Immigration · Severity: Critical Your right to remain in the United States is contingent upon your specific visa, residence permit, entry stamp, or visa-free status. Overstaying your authorized period can have serious consequences. Individuals must… * Work Authorisation Rules [/laws/united-states/work-authorisation-rules/] Employment · Severity: Critical In the United States, holding a visa that permits entry does not guarantee the right to work. Different categories of visas have specific rules regarding employment. For example, work authorization is typically granted… * Tax Residency and Income Reporting [/laws/united-states/tax-residency-and-income-reporting/] Tax · Severity: High Tax residency in the United States is determined by the amount of time you spend in the country. If you live in the U.S. for a significant portion of the year, you may be considered a tax resident, which means you are… ACTIVE SCAM ALERTS * Document Translation, Notary, or Apostille Overcharge [/scam-alerts/united-states/document-translation-notary-overcharge/]Medium In the United States, newcomers, including visa applicants, families, students, and workers, may encounter a scam involving inflated charges for document translation, notarization, or apostille services. Scammers often… * Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee [/scam-alerts/united-states/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/]Medium Scammers in the United States often impersonate airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents to exploit newcomers. These fraudsters claim that you must pay a special fee to enter the country, avoid… * Fake University or Scholarship Letter [/scam-alerts/united-states/fake-university-or-scholarship-letter/]Medium In the United States, a prevalent scam targets students, parents, and scholarship applicants through fake university or scholarship letters. These fraudsters pose as unofficial agents, claiming to offer admission to… * Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract [/scam-alerts/united-states/rental-deposit-before-viewing/]Medium In the United States, a common housing scam targets newcomers, students, families, and remote workers. Scammers often post fake apartment listings online, presenting attractive deals that draw in potential renters.… QUICK ELIGIBILITY CHECK Use this self-check for Diversity Visa Lottery (DV). It does not replace official legal assessment. I have a qualifying job offerI have required language test evidence Education LevelHigh schoolDiplomaBachelor or higher Result: Likely eligible baseline HELPFUL PARTNER LINKS MigrantIQ is free. Some links are affiliate partners — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. * relocation United States: US planning checklist → [/api/affiliate/united-states-relocation/?source=%2Fvisas%2Funited-states%2Fdiversity-visa-lottery-dv%2F] Build your US move checklist before paying for services. Sponsored or partner placement when a matching partner is active. COMMON REJECTION REASONS * - Failure to meet eligibility requirements. * - Incomplete application or missing documents. * - Inability to demonstrate sufficient ties to your home country. * - Failure to pass the medical examination. APPLICATION TIPS * - Apply as soon as the registration period opens. * - Double-check all information before submitting your application. * - Keep your confirmation number safe for future reference. * - Prepare for the visa interview by reviewing common questions. SOURCES & REFERENCES Use these references for verification. Official government and appointment portals override summary guidance on MigrantIQ. * U.S. Department of State [https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-lottery.html] Official source for forms, appointments, fees, and final requirements. * MigrantIQ visa record Last verified 2026-05-29. Feedback Was this guide helpful? Your answer helps us improve guides and update priority. YesNo PLAN YOUR NEXT STEPS * All visas · United StatesIndex [/visas/united-states/] * United StatesCountry [/countries/united-states/] * Arrival checklistChecklist [/checklist/united-states/] * Eligibility quizTool [/tools/eligibility/] * Pick a corridor calculatorCalculator [/calculator/] * Immigration Q&AQ&A [/qa/] * People storiesStories [/stories/?corridor=united-states] * Save to My PlanPlan [/plan/] Summarize this page with AI Opens your assistant with a pre-filled prompt (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude). Gemini uses Google AI Mode. Ask AI ↗ Not affiliated with any AI platform. Always verify immigration rules on official government sites. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHO IS DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY (DV) FOR? This visa is designed for applicants matching Migration pathway criteria. HOW LONG DOES PROCESSING TAKE? Typical processing time is 17-30 weeks, subject to documentation quality and application volume. WHAT SHOULD I PREPARE FIRST? Start with eligibility evidence, document checklists, and proof of funds before submitting. LANGUAGE TESTS * No mandatory language tests listed. CONTINUE PLANNING * All visas for United States [/visas/united-states/] * United States laws hub [/laws/united-states/] * United States scam alerts [/scam-alerts/united-states/] Plan smarter Save countries, compare destinations, track visa checklists, and sync your migration plan across devices. 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