The U.S. Department of State has announced a new rule that will change how individuals apply for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program.
Under the new regulation, individuals entering the DV Lottery will be required to provide information from a valid, unexpired passport and upload a scan of the passport’s biographic page when submitting the electronic entry form. The rule is intended to help prevent fraud and improve the integrity of the Diversity Visa Program.
This change will take effect on April 10, 2026 and is expected to apply to upcoming DV Lottery registration periods.
The Diversity Visa Lottery provides an opportunity for individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States to apply for permanent residence through a random selection process. Because millions of entries are submitted each year, the Department of State has introduced this requirement to reduce duplicate and fraudulent applications.
Individuals who are considering applying for the DV Lottery should plan ahead to ensure they have a valid passport before submitting their entry.
If you have questions about the Diversity Visa Lottery or other U.S. immigration options, our office would be pleased to assist you.