🌍✨ How to Apply for DV Lottery from Home Without Cost — Step-by-Step Guide (For Normal People)
📅 Updated: October 2025 | ⏱️ 4 min read
Do you dream of living and working in the United States legally?
The U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery gives thousands of people the chance to win a Green Card for free every year.
👉 The best part? You can apply from home yourself — without paying any agent. All you need is an internet connection, a digital photo, and the right information.
Here’s a step-by-step tutorial to help you apply easily ✅
📝 Step 1: Visit the Official DV Lottery Website
👉 Go to: https://dvprogram.state.gov
This is the only official website to apply.
⚠️ Beware of fake sites or agents who charge money. The entry is completely free, except for the new $1 online registration fee starting from DV-2027.
📌 Tip: Bookmark the site in your browser to avoid mistyping later.
🧍♂️ Step 2: Check Eligibility Before You Start
Before filling out the form, make sure you meet the basic DV Lottery eligibility requirements:
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🌍 Country of birth:
You must be born in an eligible country (countries with low immigration rates to the U.S.). -
🎓 Education or Work Experience:
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Minimum: High school education (12 years of formal schooling) OR
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2 years of work experience in the past 5 years in a qualifying occupation.
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📌 If you’re unsure, you can check your job in the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net database to see if it qualifies.
📸 Step 3: Prepare a Proper Digital Photo
A correct photo is very important. If your photo doesn’t meet the standard, your entry gets disqualified automatically.
✅ Photo Requirements:
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Size: 600 x 600 pixels
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Format: JPG
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Background: White or off-white
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No filters, no glasses, no hats (except religious wear).
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Face must be clearly visible.
👉 Use the official DV Photo Tool (available on the website) to crop and verify your photo before uploading.
🧾 Step 4: Fill Out the DV Lottery Form Carefully
Click on “Begin Entry” when the registration opens.
Then, complete the online form step by step:
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Personal Information
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Full Name (exact as in passport)
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Gender, Birth Date, City, Country
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Photo Upload
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Upload your prepared digital photo.
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Mailing Address
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Enter your exact mailing address, city, postal code, and country.
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Contact Details
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Email address (valid and accessible)
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Education and Marital Status
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Select your highest education level.
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If married, include spouse details.
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Children Information
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Include all unmarried children under 21 years.
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👉 Double-check everything. Even a small mistake (like spelling or wrong birth date) can disqualify you.
💲 Step 5: Pay the $1 Registration Fee Online
Starting with DV-2027, each applicant must pay a $1 registration fee through the official online system.
You can use an international debit/credit card for this. Once payment succeeds, the system takes you to the confirmation page.
📌 This is the only cost during entry. There is no other application charge.
🧾 Step 6: Save and Print Your Confirmation Number
After you submit the form, the system shows your unique confirmation number.
🖨️ Print or save it immediately.
⚠️ If you lose this number, you cannot check your result later.
👉 Keep it safe (offline and online), because you’ll need it in May of the next year to check if you got selected.
📅 Step 7: Check Your Result on the Official Site
Results come out the following year, usually in early May.
Visit dvprogram.state.gov again, click “Check Status”, and enter:
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Your Confirmation Number
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Your Name
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Your Birth Year
✅ If selected, you’ll see further instructions for your visa process.
❌ If not selected, don’t worry — you can apply again next year. It’s 100% free.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Using agents who promise selection.
🚫 Submitting blurry or edited photos.
🚫 Giving incorrect personal information.
🚫 Losing your confirmation number.
🚫 Applying multiple times in the same year (will disqualify you).
📝 Conclusion: You Can Apply Yourself — No Agent Needed
Applying for the DV Lottery from home is simple and free. You don’t need to spend big money on agencies.
Just follow the official steps, prepare your documents, and submit your entry with confidence.
🚀 Your journey to the American Dream starts with one free online form! ✨