US green card lottery: participation rules and steps after winning

A green card gives you the right to live and work in the USA permanently. You don't need relatives or an employer for this: every year the US Department of State holds a lottery for up to 55,000 such visas (according to usa.gov).

Participation in the lottery is online, and the registration fee is about $1. You submit the application yourself, and selection does not depend on your resume or language skills: a random number wins, not a biography. But the rules change every year, so advice from old guides won't help you anymore.

Below are the requirements, a breakdown of registration, and the steps to take if you win.

What a green card gives you

💡 In short:

• A green card confirms the right to permanent residence, but does not grant citizenship.
• The holder can work, study, own property, and travel abroad.

The Permanent Resident Card allows you to live and work in the US without a visa. You can change jobs, study in any state, and buy property. The card does not grant citizenship, but it opens a path to it: status is usually changed after five years of residence.

The holder also has obligations: pay taxes in the US and follow local laws. A long trip abroad, longer than six months, can interrupt continuous residence.

How the Diversity Visa lottery works

The DV (Diversity Visa) lottery was created for countries with low levels of immigration to the US. The Department of State randomly selects applications and distributes visas by world region.

But not everyone can participate: the main requirement is that you were born in a country from which fewer than 50,000 people immigrated to the US in the last five years. That's why Brazil, Canada, China, South Korea, and several other countries did not participate in recent lotteries. The list of exceptions is updated annually, so check it in the Department of State instructions before applying.

Who can participate in the lottery

Besides the country of birth, there are two strict requirements. You need a high school diploma, meaning 12 years of education, or two years of work experience in the last five years in an occupation requiring two years of training (as of: 09/2026, participation rules). The instructions describe this through an SVP (Specific Vocational Preparation) rating of at least 7.

If you don't qualify by education or experience, your application will be disqualified at the selection stage. Check your details in advance, not after registration.

How to apply for the lottery

Applications are submitted only on the official lottery website. Registration usually opens in early October and lasts about five weeks. The Department of State announces exact dates in advance on the same website.

Until 2025, participation was completely free. Now there is a small registration fee, about $1, introduced to combat duplicate and fraudulent applications (as of: 09/2026, VisaVerge).

Fill out the form, attach a photo, and receive a confirmation number. Keep this number: without it you can't check your result. You don't need intermediaries, and copycat websites often submit duplicates and get applicants disqualified.

Photo requirements for the application

Photos are checked automatically, and an incorrect file invalidates the entire application. Key parameters: JPEG format, file size up to 240 kB, and a square frame of 600 by 600 pixels (as of: 09/2026, Department of State requirements).

Here's what else is considered when taking the photo:

• The photo is recent and taken no more than six months before submission.
• Neutral facial expression, eyes open, no glasses, uniforms, or head coverings.
• Even light background without shadows.
• Retouching, filters, and editing software are prohibited.

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

When results are announced

Results are checked on the same website, in the Entrant Status Check system. You'll need three fields: confirmation number, last name, and year of birth. Prepare them in advance so you don't have to search on announcement day.

The announcement usually comes in early May, about six months after registration. DV-2026 results were released on May 3, 2025, and they are available at least until September 30, 2026 (according to usa.gov). You have to check yourself: the Department of State does not call or send letters about winning.

What to do after winning

Winning does not guarantee a visa. There are always more selected applicants than visa numbers, so not everyone makes it to the interview. The queue depends on your case number: the higher it is, the later you'll be called.

First, fill out the DS-260 visa application on the Department of State website. The form is prepared for the principal applicant and for each family member traveling with you. At the same time, gather a package of documents: certificates, records, and education documents.

Then monitor the Visa Bulletin. Compare your case number with the cut-off threshold for your region. If your number is below the threshold, an interview invitation is close. If it's higher, the time hasn't come yet, and "current" status means an invitation for everyone in the region.

Before the interview, you undergo a medical exam with a doctor approved by the US consulate and get the required vaccinations. Then you pay the visa fee: $330 per person, non-refundable (as of: 09/2026, Department of State). The interview takes place at the consulate, and after it your passport with the visa arrives by mail.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is lottery participation paid?

Registration costs a small fee, about $1, introduced in 2025 (as of: 09/2026, publication about the fee). Other payments appear only after winning: the $330 visa fee is paid by each applicant before the interview (as of: 09/2026, Department of State rule).

How many people win?

The Department of State holds a lottery for up to 55,000 visas per year (US government portal), and millions of applications are submitted. Selection is random, so it does not depend on profession or English level.

Is the lottery suitable for residents of Germany?

Yes, if you were born in a participating country, not an excluded one. Place of residence does not matter. People born in Germany can participate in the lottery, while people born in Canada, Brazil, China, and several other countries cannot apply.

In short: action plan

The lottery gives you a chance to move to the US without relatives or an employer, but it requires care. A recent photo, the correct country of birth, and a personal application on the official website solve almost everything.

• If you qualify by country of birth and education: submit your application on the first day of registration.
• If you have doubts about the requirements: check the Department of State instructions before registering.
• If you won: fill out DS-260 immediately and gather documents, don't wait for an invitation.

Watch for new intake dates at dvprogram.state.gov.