Check if you can apply
Determine your eligibility for the Green Card Lottery and other immigration pathways
Green Card Lottery Eligibility
Diversity Visa Program (Green Card Lottery) is open to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. To participate, you must meet specific eligibility requirements.
Country Eligibility
You must be born in an eligible country. Citizens of countries that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the past five years are not eligible.
Currently ineligible countries include:
- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- Canada
- China (mainland)
- Colombia
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- South Korea
- United Kingdom
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
Education Requirements
You must meet ONE of the following:
- High school education: Successful completion of a 12-year course of elementary and secondary education
- Work experience: Two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience
Quick Eligibility Checker
Answer these questions to check your basic eligibility:
Were you born in a country that is eligible for the DV program?
Do you have at least a high school education or equivalent?
OR do you have at least 2 years of work experience in a qualifying occupation?
Can you provide the required photographs that meet DV program specifications?
If you answered "Yes" to questions 1, 2 (or 3), and 4, you may be eligible for the Green Card Lottery!
Other Green Card Pathways
If you're not eligible for the Green Card Lottery, there are other ways to obtain permanent residency in the United States:
Family-Based
Eligible if you have:
- U.S. citizen spouse, parent, or child over 21
- U.S. citizen sibling (if citizen is over 21)
- Permanent resident spouse or unmarried child
Employment-Based
Eligible if you have:
- Extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics
- Advanced degree or exceptional ability
- Job offer from U.S. employer
- Investment of $800,000-$1,050,000 in U.S. business
Special Considerations
Cross-Chargeability
If you were born in an ineligible country, you may still qualify if your spouse was born in an eligible country, or if neither of your parents was born in your birth country and neither was a resident there at the time of your birth.
Derivative Applicants
If you're selected, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can also receive Green Cards as derivative applicants, even if they were born in ineligible countries.
Important Notes
- Eligibility requirements can change annually - always verify current requirements
- Meeting basic eligibility doesn't guarantee selection in the lottery
- Selected applicants must still pass background checks and medical examinations
- Professional guidance can help ensure your application meets all requirements