DV Lottery · April 20, 2026
The DV-2027 registration window is expected to open in early October 2026, closing early November. Annual visas remain at 55,000 (raised administratively from the statutory 50,000). Below: what changed, what didn't, and how to prepare.
What's the same as DV-2026
- Free entry only at dvprogram.state.gov
- Photo requirements: 600×600 minimum, 240KB max, JPEG, square aspect
- One entry per person (multiple entries = automatic disqualification)
- Education or qualifying work experience requirement
- September 30 fiscal year cutoff for visa issuance
- Selection notification only via status check at dvprogram.state.gov in May 2027
What may change
The State Department typically updates the ineligible-countries list annually based on prior 5-year immigration totals. Watch for the official announcement in summer 2026 — countries near the threshold (Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Philippines among historically variable additions/removals) may shift.
How to prepare a compliant entry
- Verify country eligibility based on your country of birth (not citizenship)
- Verify education/work experience meets minimums
- Take photos meeting all specs — better to have them done by a professional photographer than self-take
- Have passport details ready — number, expiration, country of issuance
- Submit during the open window — don't wait until the last day (servers slow under load)
- Save your confirmation number — without it, you cannot check status
- Check status in May 2027 — don't expect emails
Common entry mistakes that void submissions
- Photo not meeting specs (most common)
- Wrong country of birth listed
- Missing spouse or eligible child from entry (must include all even if not "going")
- Multiple entries (automatic disqualification)
- Entry by ineligible-country applicant who fails cross-chargeability
Scams to watch for during the window
- "Submit your DV entry through us for $X" — entry is free, only at official site
- "Increase your selection odds" — selection is purely random
- "You won the DV lottery" emails — State Department never emails selectees
- "Pay to expedite your processing" — no expediting exists for DV