Submit an Entry
There is a limited time period when you can register for the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program during each fiscal year. Each year, the Department of State publishes detailed instructions for entering the DV Program. Instructions include the dates of the registration period during which you will be able to enter.
All entries must be submitted electronically on the Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) website during the specified registration period. No late entries or paper entries are accepted. The law allows only one entry by or for each person during each registration period. The Department of State uses advanced technology to detect multiple entries. If you submit more than one entry you will be disqualified. This website does not become active for submitting an entry until the date and time specified on the DV Instructions webpage.
The DV Instructions contain detailed guidance for completing the online entry form.
You will see a confirmation screen containing your name and a unique confirmation number after you submit a complete entry. Print this confirmation screen for your records. It is extremely important that you retain your confirmation number. You will need your unique confirmation number to check the status of your entry, and you will need it to get further instructions or schedule an interview for a visa if you are selected.
There is no cost to register for the DV Program. You are strongly encouraged to complete the entry form yourself without a “Visa Consultant,” “Visa Agent,” or other facilitator who offers to help. If somebody else helps you, you should be present when your entry is prepared so that you can provide the correct answers to the questions and retain the confirmation page and your unique confirmation number.
10 Tips for Applying for the 2026 Diversity Visa Program
- Tip #1 – Read the instructions at travel.state.gov/dv to find out if you qualify. Do NOT enter if you do not meet the qualifications.
- Tip #2 – Go to dvprogram.state.gov to submit your entry. This is the ONLY way to enter. Do not be fooled by scams or fraudulent sites.
- Tip #3 – There is NO fee to enter. Beware of those who claim they can improve your chances if you pay them, or who offer to complete your application for free.
- Tip #4 – Complete the Diversity Visa Program entry yourself. Unscrupulous visa facilitators have retained an applicant’s confirmation number, and then demanded more money or illegal activities in exchange for the confirmation number.
- Tip #5 – Use a photo taken in the last six months. Using an old photo will disqualify your entry.
- Tip #6 – Only submit ONE entry per person. Individuals with more than one primary entry per Diversity Visa season will be disqualified.
- Tip #7 – Remember to list your spouse and ALL unmarried children under the age of 21 in your application, even if they will not be traveling or immigrating with you. Incorrect or missing information in your entry can mean disqualification – even after you are selected.
- Tip #8 – Keep your unique confirmation number. The confirmation number will be the only way to check whether an entry has been selected in May 2025.
- Tip #9 – Selections will be made in May 2025. The website dvprogram.state.gov/ESC is the ONLY way to see if you were selected. Any email claiming to notify entrants that they have been selected for the Diversity Visa program is a scam. The Department of State will NOT contact you if you have been selected.
- Tip #10 – Remember, being selected does NOT guarantee you a visa interview or visa. In order to issue as many visas as possible, there will be more selectees than there are visas available.
