Diversity Visa (DV) Electronic Registration for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 opens at noon ET on October 4, 2023, and closes at noon ET on November 7, 2023. There will be 55,000 Diversity Visas available for FY 2025.
There is no cost to register, but, if selected, applicants must pay the visa application or I-485 Adjustment of Status fees. Filing more than one application will lead to disqualification for the program.
Individuals born in certain countries are not eligible to apply because more than 50,000 nationals of those countries have immigrated to the United States in the past five years. The list of ineligible countries includes:
Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, including Hong Kong, SAR (natives of Macau SAR and Taiwan are eligible), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Venezuela and Vietnam.
Except for the United Kingdom, the “ineligible” list is the same as it was last year. This year, natives of the United Kingdom and its dependent territories are eligible.
Eligibility requirements and application instructions are on the Diversity Lottery website. Only the primary applicant (not dependents) must meet the eligibility requirements. Beyond nationality, the primary applicant must have:
- At least a high school diploma or its equivalent; or
- Two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.
The Department of State describes how to confirm eligibility on its website.
Interested applicants should apply early and not wait until the last week, when heavy demand could lead to website delays. Applicants must apply online. No late or paper entries are accepted. Non-U.S. residents seeking to obtain a green card who are otherwise eligible may apply even if they are living abroad.
Jackson Lewis attorneys are available to answer questions about the Diversity Lottery process.