How to check if you won one of the 55,000 U.S. green cards in the 2025 visa lottery
The results of the 2025 visa lottery will be announced starting at noon Saturday, May 4.
The popular immigration program offers people from countries with historically low immigration rates to the Unites States the opportunity to obtain U.S. green cards or permanent residence, allowing them to live and work legally in the country. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs will announce the winners of what is formally known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.
What is the visa lottery?
The Diversity Visa Program grants up to 55,000 diversity immigrant visas each fiscal year to randomly selected individuals through a computer-generated lottery from qualified entries.
The visas to be drawn this year correspond to those for fiscal year 2025. They will be available to citizens of countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. that meet the qualifying requirements.
It’s almost time for Diversity Visa 2025 selections! Starting May 4, 2024, at 12 p.m. EDT, you will be able to check the status of your entry by entering your confirmation number at https://t.co/zhdK1JgFZy. This is the ONLY way to check if you have been selected to participate. pic.twitter.com/qgvH6mmK4K
— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) April 30, 2024
How to check if you were selected for the 2025 visa lottery?
▪ Announcement date: The results of the 2025 Diversity Visa Lottery (DV-2025) will be available from May 4, 2024, until September 30, 2025.
▪ Verification method: To find out if you were selected, visit the official Diversity Visa Program website and use the Entrant Status Check feature.
▪ Required information: To check your status, you need the confirmation number you received when you registered for the program, your last name as entered on the entry form, year of birth and authentication code provided by the system.
What do to if you win the U.S. Diversity Visa Program lottery?
If your entry is selected, you will be directed to a confirmation page where you will get detailed instructions, including information about the steps to take and the fees associated with the immigrant visa application.
Authorities note that the Department of State does not send notification letters or emails about selection. Verification through the “Entrant Status Check” page is the only official method of notifying Diversity Visa Program winners of lottery results.
Steps for green card winners in the visa lottery
While there are 55,000 U.S. green cards available, more names will be selected because not everyone meets the requirements.
▪ Selected individuals must electronically submit Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application.
▪ They must undergo an in-person consular interview, where their eligibility to immigrate to the United States will be assessed. This includes questions about criminal backgrounds and security issues.
▪ All those selected, including their family members, must obtain visas by September 30, 2025. Authorities will not issue visas or approve adjustments of status after that date.
Authorities advise acting promptly once selected because visas are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, and there’s an annual limit of 55,000 diversity visas that lead to green cards.
If you have questions or need more information, visit the Diversity Visa Program website or refer to questions and answers in the official Instructions for the 2025 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.
