DV · DS-260
A yearly lottery that can give permanent residence to people from countries with lower rates of immigration to the U.S. Entry happens only on the official website.
Core facts, form edition dates, fees and recent notices were checked against the official pages listed below on October 25, 2026. Sections marked 'Our guidance' are our own advice, not official text. Some official pages show older 'last updated' dates. The Diversity Visa program is changing, so read the 'What changed' tab first.
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Official notices that may affect Diversity Visa cases. Checked on October 25, 2026. Rules change often, so open the source before you act.
Aug 28, 2026 · U.S. Department of State
A State Department notice says that effective immediately it has paused all visa issuances to Diversity Visa applicants. Applicants may still submit visa applications and attend interviews, and the Department continues to schedule them, but no DVs will be issued. The notice follows a court order that ended an earlier DV pause as of August 28, 2026.
U.S. Department of State
The State Department notice 'Changes to Entry Period for 2027 Diversity Visa (DV) Program' says it will announce the start date of the DV-2027 registration period as soon as practicable. It says the period for selected applicants to apply for visas is not affected: October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. We could not confirm a registration date from the State Department, so check dvprogram.state.gov.
Jan 1, 2026 · White House / State Department
A presidential proclamation effective January 1, 2026 suspends entry and visa issuance for nationals of 19 countries in full, and limits visas for nationals of 20 more. Use the lookup in the 'Entry restrictions by nationality' box below to check your nationality. The proclamation lists a small number of exceptions, and its text does not list one for immediate-relative or adoption immigrant visas.
Check whether the January 2026 proclamation affects your nationality.
Travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority are also covered by the full restriction.
Presidential Proclamation 10998, effective 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1, 2026. Source: White House, text of the proclamation · State Department notice. Checked Oct 25, 2026.
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The Diversity Visa Program is run by the State Department. People from eligible countries enter online during a registration period, and selected entrants (selectees) can apply for an immigrant visa. Selection is by random draw. Winning the lottery is not a visa: you still have to meet the requirements, pass the interview and medical exam, and get your visa before the end of the fiscal year. The State Department warns that some websites and emails pretend to be official, so enter only on the official E-DV website.
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Fees were checked on October 25, 2026. Older instructions called entry free, but the State Department's current fee page lists a $1 registration fee. Check the current instructions.
The online entry form on the official site.
Fee: $1 registration fee listed by the State Department
You will usually need
Tip: Use only the official site. Be careful of anyone who charges to enter for you.
Completed by selectees.
Fee: $330 Diversity Visa application fee (State Department)
You will usually need
Tip: Print the confirmation page for your interview.
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Government fees as published by the agencies, checked on Oct 25, 2026. Fees change, so confirm on the official page before you pay. These are not Move to America's prices.
| Form | What it is for | Fee | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-DV | Diversity Visa registration fee, principal applicant, paid once at registration | $1 | Not currently verified |
| DS-260 | Diversity Visa application fee, per selecteePaid only by selectees. | $330 | Not currently verified |
Diversity Visa timing depends on the registration date, your rank in the draw and the fiscal-year deadline. We have not verified any current figures, so we show none.
Not currently verified
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Our guidance, not official text
No. Selection only gives you the chance to apply. You must still qualify and be issued a visa before the fiscal-year deadline.
Eligible family members can apply with the selectee, and each completes their own application.
Yes, but with changes. DV-2027 registration was delayed and DV issuances are currently paused. Read the 'What changed' tab.
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0 of 7 items gathered
Ticking items is just a way to keep track. It does not mean your application is ready or will be approved.
Start your guided application: every requirement is explained step by step, your documents are checked, and you finish with a clear "Ready to file" summary.
The official pages and form instructions are the authority. If this guide differs, follow the official source.
The eligibility questionnaire for this pathway is not available yet. You can start with free preparation resources.
Move to America is an independent information and preparation service. We are not a government agency, not affiliated with USCIS or the U.S. government, and not a law firm. Nothing here is legal advice, and we cannot guarantee any visa or immigration outcome.