Frequently Asked Questions 1. How can I apply for DV lottery? In

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I apply for DV lottery?

In order to apply for the DV lottery, the following website is the ONLY way to fill out an

application: www.dvlottery.state.gov

2. When will the submission of online application for DV program begin?

For information about online registration period in Diversity Visa Program please review

the Diversity Visa Program Instructions on our Bureau of Consular Affairs website..

3. How can I confirm that I have in fact been chosen by the random DV program?

You must have your confirmation number to access information through the Entrant Status

Check available on the E-DV website.

4. What family members must I include on my E-DV entry?

On your entry, you must list your spouse (husband or wife) and all living unmarried children

under 21 years of age, regardless of whether or not they are living with you or intend to

accompany or follow to join you should you immigrate to the United States.

Spouses who are already U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents should not be entered.

5. Are there any fees for the E-DV application?

There is no fee for submitting an electronic entry. Many companies, internet cafes and other

organizations will ask for money from applicants in order to fill out an application for the

Diversity Visa lottery. For the purposes of the Diversity Visa lottery, the U.S. Embassy is not

affiliated with, and does not work with, ANY outside organizations. Please remember that these

types of organizations do not provide any greater chance of winning the lottery than simply

entering yourself. We recommend applicants carefully consider whether they should pay for

help submitting their E-DV applications, and remember that they are responsible for any

information submitted on their behalf. Please remember: there is no fee to enter the Diversity

Visa lottery and any fees associated with your entry are payments for help with your

submission.

6. If my or my family’s biographic information was entered incorrectly on my E-DV entry, will my

visa get refused?

Every applicant must complete the online application according to the rules of the Diversity Visa

program in their program year. The instructions are explicit about what information must be

submitted and how. An applicant’s entry may be disqualified if those requirements are not met

and the information is entered incorrectly.

7. I entered the Diversity Visa lottery in my name and all the information I entered about myself is

correct. However, there are some errors in my family’s information on my application. Will I be

able to get a visa?

The applicants who were selected to apply for a Diversity visa are responsible for all of the

information on their E-DV applications. If applicants failed to follow the instructions in any part

of their application, their entries may be disqualified.

8. My entry was disqualified because the information or photograph I submitted with my E-DV

entry did not follow the rules of the Diversity Visa program. The website accepted my

application and I was scheduled for an interview, doesn’t that mean that I should be issued a

visa?

No. Being selected to apply for a Diversity Visa at an Embassy or Consulate does not mean that

you will be issued a visa. During your interview, you must prove that you meet the

requirements of the Diversity Visa program, which includes having a correctly entered E-DV

entry, and are eligible for a Diversity Visa under U.S. immigration law.

9. I was not aware that my E-DV entry did not follow the instruction of the Diversity Visa program,

because my application was filled out by a third party. Will I be the responsible for that?

Regardless of who fills out the E-DV application, applicants are responsible for all the

information entered on their behalf.

10. If the digital photographs I submitted on my E-DV application did not follow the instructions and

rules for the Diversity Visa program, what will happen?

The entry photograph must be recent (taken within the last six months). Submitting the same

photograph that was submitted with last year’s entry (DV-2017) will result in disqualification. If

you did not follow the instructions for entering the Diversity Visa lottery, your entry may be

disqualified. Failure to enter the correct photograph of each individual into the E-DV system may

result in disqualification of the principal applicant and refusal of all visas associated with the

case at the time of the visa interview. Entries are subject to disqualification and visa refusal for

cases in which the photographs are not recent, show manipulation in any way, or fail to meet

the program specifications.

11. When I submitted my Diversity Visa E-DV entry, I was single. If I win the lottery, but get married

before I come to my interview will I able to take my spouse with me?

Yes, if the marital status of the person selected in the Diversity Visa lottery changes, than the

family member has the right to receive a Diversity Visa based on their spouse’s application.

12. I only have duplicates of my educational documents, will that be an issue for me?

In some cases, duplicate educational documents may require additional processing. We suggest

ALL APPLICANTS bring additional documents to help prove that they meet the educational

requirements of the Diversity Visa program.

13. If I do not come to the interview appointment set by Kentucky Consular Center, will I able to get

another appointment?

We cannot guarantee that applicants who miss their appointment day will be rescheduled for

another interview. We strongly recommend that applicants appear for their initial interview as

scheduled. In order to enter the Embassy, applicants must bring their passport on the day of the

interview.

14. Do my documents need to be notarized for the Diversity Visa interview?

We do not require that documents be notarized. Please take into consideration that documents

must be translated by an official translator. Translations must be sealed with an official stamp.

15. If I reside outside of my home country, will I able to change the place of my Diversity Visa

interview?

Yes. If your interview has not been scheduled, you can contact the Kentucky Consular Center

and request to be scheduled at a different Embassy or Consulate for their interview. If your

interview date has been set, then you must contact the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section in the

country where you reside to reschedule your interview.

16. Can a Diversity Visa application be refused on the grounds of health related issues?

All Diversity Visa applicants must be eligible for a Diversity Visa under U.S. immigration law.

Applicants may be found ineligible based on health related issues.

17. Do Diversity Visa applicants need to fill out the new DS-260 online application form?

Yes, the winners of Diversity Visa lottery need to fill out the new DS-260 online application form.

18. During my interview, will the Consul request financial documents from me?

There are no financial documents required for the Diversity Visa program. However, the Consul

must be convinced that you will be able to work in the U.S. and support yourself in order to

issue a Diversity Visa.