The U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery: What You Need to Know — and Why Legal Help Matters

Mia Giacomazzi
Aug 27
2 min read

Each year, the U.S. Department of State runs the Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery (DV Lottery). Through this program, 55,000 immigrant visas are made available to individuals from countries with historically low immigration to the United States.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify, you must:

Be born in an eligible country. If your country isn’t eligible, you may qualify through your spouse or parents.
Have at least a high school diploma, OR two years of skilled work experience within the past five years in a qualifying occupation.

How Do You Apply?

Submit an entry online during the registration period (usually October–November).
The entry is free, and you’ll receive a confirmation number that you must keep safe to check your status.

What Happens After Selection?

Selection means you may apply for an immigrant visa, but it doesn’t guarantee one.
You’ll need to file the DS-260, submit civil and financial documents, and attend a consular interview.
Visa numbers are limited, and cases can be denied for errors, missing family members, or incorrect documentation.

The Odds and the Pitfalls

Millions apply each year for only 55,000 slots. The odds of selection are low.
The odds of approval are even lower, since many applicants lose their chance during consular processing due to mistakes or missed deadlines.

Why You Need Legal Guidance

At Denizen Immigration, we help you at every stage:

Before entry: Evaluating your eligibility and ensuring your application is submitted correctly.
After selection: Guiding you through consular processing, avoiding pitfalls, and representing you in front of U.S. authorities.

Think of the DV Lottery like hitting the jackpot. If you’re lucky enough to win, don’t throw away your prize by going it alone. A lawyer can mean the difference between getting approved and losing your chance forever.

Better yet — engage us from the start. If you win, you’ll already have trusted counsel by your side.