Diversity visa (DV) process

What the diversity visa is

The Diversity Visa (DV) program makes up to 50,000 immigrant visas available each year through a random lottery. Eligibility is based on country of birth. Only nationals of countries with historically low immigration to the United States may enter.

The DV program is administered by the Department of State. Each program year has its own entry period, instructions, and timeline. Never use prior-year instructions for a current DV application.

Selection and rank numbers

If selected in the DV lottery, you receive a case number with a rank number. Selection alone does not guarantee a visa. Your rank number must become current (meaning visa numbers are available for your region up to your rank) before you can complete processing.

Rank cutoffs advance throughout the fiscal year (October through September). The DOS publishes monthly cutoffs in the Visa Bulletin. If your rank does not become current before September 30 of the program year, the visa opportunity expires.

DV vs standard immigrant visa processing

DV processing differs from standard petition-based immigrant visa processing in several important ways:

• There is no underlying petition (no I-130 or I-140)
• The DV selection itself establishes the immigrant basis
• NVC standard timeframes do not apply to DV cases
• The DOS IV wait times tool excludes DV cases
• Everything must be completed within the fiscal year. There is no carryover
• Each DV program year has its own annual instructions that govern eligibility, entry, and processing

Processing modes

DV selectees can process through:

• Consular processing. The most common route; done through the DOS and a U.S. consulate abroad
• Adjustment of status. If the selectee is already in the United States and eligible to adjust; uses Form I-485

Both modes are subject to the fiscal-year deadline. AOS cases must be approved (not just filed) before September 30.

Affidavit of support for DV cases

DV applicants generally do not use the standard Form I-864 Affidavit of Support model. Instead, they must demonstrate that they are not likely to become a public charge, which may involve showing employment, financial resources, or a sponsor's support.

The exact requirements depend on whether you are processing through a consulate or adjusting status. Always check the current DV-year-specific instructions.

Operational alerts and current status

The DV program is subject to operational alerts that can pause or modify issuance at any time. These alerts are published by the DOS and override standard eligibility.

Always check the current DOS DV program page and any active issuance alerts before making travel plans or filing decisions.

Dynamic items: verify with official sources

What can vary by case, post, or month

These notes come from the research module behind this guide. Use them as flags; verify official instructions for your case before relying on general guidance.

Clearly required

• selection, rank-current timing, and completion of the official AOS or IV process within the fiscal year

Conditional

• AOS versus consular processing and derivative handling

Dynamic (may change)

• annual instructions, rank cutoffs, issuance alerts, and current bulletin language

Unresolved

• the pack intentionally isolates DV from ordinary NVC/petition assumptions