Overview
Instructions for the 2026 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-2026)
The Department of State is pleased to announce the dates for the DV-2026 Diversity Visa Program registration period. Applicants must submit entries for the DV-2026 program at dvprogram.state.gov between noon, Eastern Daylight Time (19:00 Romania time), Wednesday, October 2, 2024, and noon, Eastern Standard Time (19:00 Romania time), Thursday, November 7, 2024.
Important: In prior years, the Department asked applicants to provide information from a valid, unexpired passport at the time of DV entry. Entrants are currently not required to have a valid passport when they submit their DV entry.
Photo: Entrants must submit a photo taken within the last six months that is compliant with specifications published in the DV-2026 Instructions. Entries that include the same photo submitted with a previous year’s entry or that do not meet specifications will render the entrant ineligible for a DV.
The online registration is free!
Complete instructions can be found on the Department of State’s public webpage at usvisas.state.gov/dv/instructions.
Instructions for the 2025 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-2025)
The Department of State is pleased to announce the dates for the DV-2025 Diversity Visa Program registration period. Applicants must submit entries for the DV-2025 program at dvprogram.state.gov between noon, Eastern Daylight Time (19:00 Romania time), Wednesday, October 4, 2023, and noon, Eastern Standard Time (19:00 Romania time), Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
Important: In prior years, the Department asked applicants to provide information from a valid, unexpired passport at the time of DV entry. Entrants are currently not required to have a valid passport when they submit their DV entry.
Photo: Entrants must submit a photo taken within the last six months that is compliant with specifications published in the DV-2025 Instructions. Entries that include the same photo submitted with a previous year’s entry or that do not meet specifications will render the entrant ineligible for a DV.
The online registration is free!
Complete instructions can be found on the Department of State’s public webpage at usvisas.state.gov/dv/instructions.
The Interview
Case Status
At the end of your immigrant visa interview, the consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied.
Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a consular officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. You can check the status of your visa application on ceac.state.gov.
If your visa has been denied, you may find useful information on Ineligibilities and Waivers on usvisas.state.gov.