How to Fill Out Your DV Lottery Application Form: Step-by-Step Guide

How to apply for Green Card Lottery in USA? — If you are going to win a Green Card through the DV Lottery, you have come to the right place.

This DV Lottery registration guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to register to Green Card Lottery. Plus, we’ll introduce a special tool to help you check if your Green Card Lottery photo meets the specifications.

Table of contents

• Green Card Lottery Eligibility and Requirements
• Do You Need a Passport for the DV Lottery?
• DV Lottery Photo Guidelines
• Get Your DV Lottery Photo Online
• 7ID: Green Card Lottery Photo App
• DV Lottery Application Process Step-by-step
• Accessing the Official Website
• Filling in Personal Information
• Country of Eligibility
• Entrant Photograph
• Mailing Address
• Phone Number and Email Address
• Education/Work Experience
• Marital Status and Family Information
• Reviewing Your Entry
• After Submission: Secure your Confirmation Number
• Sample of the DV Lottery Application Form
• Don’ts in Filling Out the DV Lottery Entry Form

Green Card Lottery Eligibility and Requirements

To apply, you must meet certain DV Lottery application requirements related to your nationality and education or job experience. Here's what you need to know:

• Age requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to apply. There is no upper age limit. You can include your spouse and unmarried children under 21 on your application. They do not have to meet the age requirement, just the relationship criteria.
• Eligible countries: You must be born in a country with low immigration rates to the U.S. Each year, the U.S. Department of State releases a list of eligible countries, which may change based on recent immigration data. Typically, fewer than 20 countries are ineligible.
• Education: You must have completed a high school education or something equivalent, which means finishing a 12-year course of elementary and secondary schooling.
• Work experience: If you don't meet the education requirement, you can qualify through work experience. You need at least two years of experience in a job that requires at least two years of training or experience. This must be within the last five years.

You can apply for the DV Lottery annually between October and November. During the Green Card Lottery registration period, you must submit your application electronically on the official DV Program website. After applying, you'll get a confirmation number. Make sure to save it to check your application status later.

Do You Need a Passport for the DV Lottery?

Starting in 2022, you don't need a passport when you submit your Green Card Lottery entry. However, if you win and move forward in the process, you will need a valid passport to submit your documents and attend an interview.

DV Lottery Photo Guidelines

When you apply for the DV Lottery, you need to include digital photos of yourself and each family member. Here are the rules your photo must follow:

• The photo must have been taken within the last six months.
• The DV Lottery photo size should be between 600×600 pixels and 1200×1200 pixels. The file size should not be larger than 240 KB.
• Use a plain white background.
• You should face the camera directly with a neutral expression and both eyes open. Your face should take up 50% to 70% of the photo.
• The photo must be in color.
• No glasses are allowed, including prescription ones.
• There should be no other objects or people in the photo. There should be no solid shadows or glares.
• A full, front view of your face is required.
• Photos with red-eye are not allowed.
• No hats or head coverings unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons. Your face must be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and from ear to ear.
• No sunglasses or accessories that hide your face.
• The photo must be clear and high-quality.

Can I use last year photo for DV Lottery? — No. Your photos cannot be more than 6 months old.

Here is an example:

Get Your DV Lottery Photo Online

Using an online photo service like Visafoto can make preparing your Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery photo easy and hassle-free. This platform lets you create a DV-compliant photo right from home. By using Visafoto, you can simplify and speed up your DV lottery application process.

Simply take a picture with your smartphone or camera, and Visafoto will handle the rest. We ensure your photo meets all the DV lottery requirements, including proper size, background, and formatting.

Visafoto offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you're not happy with the results, they'll either replace the photo for free or give you a refund.

Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background.

You will get two files from Visafoto: a digital photo for electronic applications and a template ready for printing.

7ID: Green Card Lottery Photo App

For an even easier experience, try the 7ID app from Visafoto.com. This tool uses advanced algorithms to perfect your photo and works on both iPhone and Android devices.

To use 7ID, just upload your photo and choose the document type and country. The app will automatically adjust your photo to meet all official requirements, including size, format, background color, and the positioning of your face and eyes. You'll receive a digital file and a print template that fits standard paper sizes like 4×6, A4, A5, or B5.

If you need help, our customer support team is available 24/7 to assist you.

DV Lottery Application Process Step-by-step

You can practice filling out the DV Lottery form using the sample application form at DVlottery.me. This is a complete replica of the official DV Lottery application form and should be used for training purposes only.

Here is a step-by-step guide to the process of DV Lottery application:

Accessing the Official Website

To apply for the DV Lottery, you need to submit your application through the official U.S. government website: dvprogram.state.gov. This is the only legitimate site for entering the DV Lottery.

Be aware of fake websites and scams. Many fraudulent sites may try to charge you for services related to the DV Lottery or provide false information. Always make sure you are using the official government site.

Filling in Personal Information

The next step is to complete the official DV Lottery registration form. This form is available only when the lottery is open, and you will have one hour to fill it out. If you are inactive for 20 minutes, the form will reset, and all entered information will be lost. Make sure to fill out the form using English letters.

Before you fill out the form, prepare some supporting documents needed for DV Lottery application 2024, such as diplomas or certificates proving your education or work experience, marriage/divorce certificates, and passport-sized photographs.

The Green Card Lottery form consists of several parts. The first part includes DV Lottery application questions about your personal information:

• Name: Enter your first and last names as they appear in your passport. If you have multiple valid passports with different spellings (e.g., due to different nationalities), you can choose any spelling. However, if one of them matches your birth certificate, use that one. Include your middle name only if it is spelled out in English letters in your passport.
• Date of Birth: Enter your date of birth in the format: day/month/year (DD/MM/YYYY). For example, if your birthday is January 15, 1990, you would enter it as 15/01/1990.
• Gender: The DV Lottery application offers two options:
  • Male: Choose this if you identify as male.
  • Female: Choose this if you identify as female.
• Place of Birth:
  • City of Birth: Enter the name of the city where you were born. For small towns, use the town's name. Refer to your birth certificate for the official spelling in English. If your hometown has changed its name, use both the old and new names, separated by a hyphen (e.g., Bombay–Mumbai). If your place of birth is unknown or not listed on your birth certificate, mention that in the form.
  • Country of Birth: Select your country of birth from the list. If you were born in a country that no longer exists, such as the USSR or Yugoslavia, choose the modern name of the country (e.g., Russia, Slovenia, Belarus).

Important: Applicants born in Crimea must select Ukraine as their country of birth. The U.S. does not recognize Crimea as part of Russia.

How to fill out the personal information section of the Green Card Lottery form: a sample.

Country of Eligibility

When you fill out the DV Lottery application, you'll need to select your country of eligibility from a drop-down list. This is usually the same as your country of birth, but there are exceptions:

If your country of birth is not eligible:

• Spouse's country: If you're married, you can use your spouse's country of birth as your country of eligibility, provided your spouse is either immigrating with you or will immigrate separately.
• Parents' country: If both your parents were born in eligible countries but no longer live there, and you were born in an ineligible country, you can use your parents' country of birth.

Entrant Photograph

To upload your photo for the DV Lottery application, follow these simple steps:

1. Create a US Diversity Visa Lottery photo using services like Visafoto.com or 7ID. Use DV Lottery Photo Checker to check if your image is matching the requirements.
2. Fill out the United States DV Lottery entry form at dvlottery.state.gov.
3. At the “Entrant Photograph” step, do not use the Photo Tool provided on the site. Immediately click the “Choose New Photo” button.
4. Choose your photo file, provided by 7ID or Visafoto to upload. You will see the photo and the file name displayed.
5. Press the “Continue” button.
6. On the next page, review all your information.
7. In the “Entrant Photograph” box, you should see a message that says “Photograph received”.

Mailing Address

Make sure your mailing address in the DV Lottery application is clear enough for international mail service. Even though no documents will be sent to this address by the U.S. government or the Kentucky Consular Center, it is still important for record-keeping.

The field “In Care Of” is for the name of the person who will receive the mail, if it's not you.

Use Address Line 1 for the main part of your address. Use Address Line 2 only if you need extra space.

If you don't know your postal code, you can check at your local post office.

If you're unsure how to spell your address in English, use Google Maps to find your address in English and copy it into the form.

How to fill out the mailing address section of the DV Lottery entry form: a sample.

Phone Number and Email Address

Make sure to provide your phone number in the international format, so it can be called from the USA.

Use an email address that you regularly check, as important information will be sent to this email.

Education/Work Experience

When filling out the American Green Card Lottery registration form, specify your education level on the day you apply. Options like “High School, no degree” or “Some University Courses” might be applicable depending on your situation.

To correctly indicate your work experience:

• Note down your job title and duties.
• Make sure your job falls under Job Zone 4 or 5 in the O*NET Online database, which means your job requires significant preparation.

To find out if your job qualifies, follow these steps:

1. Go to the O*NET Online Database.
2. Click on “Find Occupations”.
3. In the “Job Family” section, select your job category from the dropdown menu (e.g., Business and Financial Operations) and click “Go”.
4. Click on the link for your specific job (e.g., Credit Analysts).
5. Look for the SVP (Specific Vocational Preparation) Range in the Job Zone section. It must be 7.0 or higher to qualify.

If your job meets the SVP 7.0 or higher criteria, it qualifies for the DV Lottery. For instance, a “Credit Analyst” qualifies.

Marital Status and Family Information

Choose “Single/Unmarried” option if you have never been married. If you are legally married, select “Married” and provide your spouse's information. This applies even if you are separated, unless you have a formal court order of legal separation.

You need to provide your spouse's full name, date of birth, gender, city/country of birth, and country of eligibility. Make sure this information exactly matches their passport or official documents. Any inconsistencies might disqualify your application. Even if your spouse does not plan to immigrate with you, you still need to list them.

You must list all your children who are unmarried and under 21 years old at the time of your application. This includes biological children, legally adopted children, and stepchildren.

For each child, provide full name, date of birth, gender, city/country of birth, relationship to you (biological, adopted, or stepchild).

Include all eligible children, even if they do not live with you or do not plan to apply for a diversity visa. Failing to list all eligible children can lead to disqualification of your application.

Reviewing Your Entry

Before you submit your DV Lottery application, take time to carefully review all the information you’ve entered. Go through each section of the US Green Card Lottery free registration form and make sure all fields are filled out correctly. Compare the information with your passport and other official documents to ensure everything matches.

How to edit DV Lottery application if errors are found before submitting it? — The online form usually allows you to navigate back and forth between sections. Use the 'Previous' button to return to the sections you need to edit.

Only submit your application for Green Card Lottery when you are confident that all the information is accurate and complete, as any mistakes or discrepancies can lead to disqualification.

Can I edit my DV Lottery application after submitting? — No, once you have submitted your DV Lottery application, you will not be able to edit or change any of the information on your application.

After Submission: Secure your Confirmation Number

Once you submit your DV Lottery application, you will receive a confirmation number, a unique code that identifies your entry in the DV Lottery. If selected, this number is required to schedule your visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Without this confirmation number, you cannot check the status of your DV Lottery application or proceed with getting a Green Card, even if you’ve been selected.

To ensure you don’t lose your confirmation number, consider storing it securely in the 7ID App’s “DV Program Sidekick”. Here is how to store your confirmation number:

1. Simply download and install the 7ID app.
2. Select the “DV Program Sidekick” option.
3. Enter your verification number and click “Save”.

Sample of the DV Lottery Application Form

To get ready beforehand, use our free DV Lottery training form. It includes all the questions you’ll encounter on the Green Card Lottery application.

Don’ts in Filling Out the DV Lottery Entry Form

Here are some important things to avoid when completing your DV Lottery entry form:

Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your entry
The DV Lottery registration is usually open for a limited time, typically around 30 days. Submit your entry well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.

Don’t provide false or misleading information
Make sure all details, such as your name, date of birth, place of birth, and family information, are accurate and match your official documents, like your passport. Incorrect information can lead to disqualification.

Don’t submit multiple entries
You are only allowed to submit one entry per person. Submitting more than one entry, or using someone else’s name, will result in disqualification of all entries.

Don’t rely on third-party services that charge fees
Registering for the DV Lottery is completely free on the official U.S. government website. Be cautious of any services that promise to improve your chances or charge fees for assistance.

Don’t forget to upload photos that meet the requirements
Ensure that the photos you upload for yourself, your spouse, and children follow the DV Lottery photo guidelines in terms of size, format, background, and appearance. Incorrect photos can lead to disqualification.

Don’t forget to save your confirmation number
Save your DV confirmation number securely in the 7ID App’s “DV Program Sidekick”, as you’ll need it to check your entry status and for further steps if selected.

Maximize your chances of winning the DV Lottery with 7ID App and Visafoto.com!