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The Diversity Visa (DV) Program: Overview and Current Status

By Vekyo Editorial Team · Last reviewed: October 3, 2026 · Not reviewed by a legal professional

Overview

The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program makes up to 50,000 immigrant visas available each year, drawn by random selection from entries by people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The Department of State runs the selection. Its guidance updated August 31, 2026 says all Diversity Visa issuances are currently paused (details below).

Current status: issuances are paused

This guidance can change. Read the current Department of State guidance, linked below, before you act.

What the program is

USCIS describes the DV Program as making up to 50,000 immigrant visas available annually, drawn from random selection among all entries, for individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.[1]

The Department of State administers the selection. USCIS handles adjustment of status applications from selected entrants who are legally in the United States.[1]

Entry for DV-2027

The Department of State's announcement about changes to the DV-2027 entry period did not yet give a registration start date. This guide gives no registration date and does not infer one.[3]

Entry photo requirements

The Department of State's photo requirements page lists requirements for Diversity Visa digital entry photos that include a JPEG file, a file size of 240 KB or less, a square aspect ratio, and dimensions of 600 by 600 pixels. Read the full list on that page. The list here is not complete.[4]

What this guide leaves to the Department of State

This guide does not list eligible countries, eligibility requirements, fees or registration dates. Check the Department of State's official Diversity Visa pages for the current program year before you rely on any of these details.

Guides in this topic

When to consider speaking with an immigration attorney

Immigration outcomes depend on individual facts that a general guide cannot see. Consider speaking with a licensed immigration attorney if your history includes prior denials, unlawful presence, criminal charges, a deadline you may have missed, or anything else you are unsure how the rules treat. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Where to check the current official information

Official pages to consult directly. They are listed so you can check the latest details; they are not among the sources this guide was written from.

Sources checked

Official sources this page was written from, in order of authority. See our sources policy.

  1. [1] Green Card Through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program

    USCIS · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026 · Source last updated July 8, 2025

    Supports: description of the DV Program, who administers it, and the scam warning

  2. [2] Diversity Visa Issuance: Updated Guidance

    U.S. Department of State · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026 · Source last updated August 31, 2026

    Supports: guidance updated August 31, 2026: all DV issuances are currently paused; applications and interviews may continue; no DV visas currently issued; no exceptions

  3. [3] Changes to the 2027 DV Program Entry Period

    U.S. Department of State · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026

    Supports: the announcement did not yet give a DV-2027 registration start date

  4. [4] Photo Requirements

    U.S. Department of State · Official source · Checked October 3, 2026

    Supports: DV digital entry photo requirements include JPEG, 240 KB or less, square aspect ratio, 600 by 600 pixels

Page history

  • — Initial publication.

Written by the Vekyo Editorial Team. Read our editorial policy. Please also read the immigration disclaimer.