How to Check Your DV Lottery (Green Card Lottery) Status: 2025-2026 Guide
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, often called the Green Card Lottery, is a program that offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas each year. If you entered the DV-2026 lottery (during the registration period in October-November 2024), your results are available starting May 3, 2025. This guide will show you exactly how to check your status and what to do if you are selected.
Before You Check: What You Need
To check your status, you must have your Confirmation Number. This is a unique 16-character code (e.g., AA2025A12345678) that you received when you submitted your entry.
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Where to find it: Check the confirmation email you received after registering. Also look in your spam or junk folder. If you printed the page, find that copy.
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If you lost it: There is no official way to recover a lost confirmation number. You will need to use the exact personal information from your original application to search for it on the official site.
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⚠️ Scam Alert: The U.S. government will NOT notify you by email or mail if you win. Do not pay any money to websites or services that claim they can get your results for you.
How to Check Your Status (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to see if you were selected for the DV-2026 lottery.
Step 1: Go to the Official Website
Only use the official U.S. Department of State website:
dvprogram.state.gov/ESC
Step 2: Enter Your Information
On the “Entrant Status Check” page, you will need to enter:
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Your 16-digit Confirmation Number.
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Your Last Name / Family Name (exactly as you entered it in your application).
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Your Year of Birth.
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The CAPTCHA security code.
Step 3: View and Save Your Results
Click “Submit” to see your result. You will see one of two messages:
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If you are SELECTED: You will see a congratulations notice and receive a Case Number (e.g., 2026AA00012345). Print or take a screenshot of this page immediately! It contains all the instructions for the next steps.
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If you are NOT SELECTED: The page will inform you that you were not chosen. You can try again for the next lottery (DV-2027).
Important: Results are only available online. Keep your confirmation number safe, as you will need to check the same page throughout the entire visa process.
What to Do If You Are Selected (You “Won”)
Being selected does not automatically grant you a green card. It means you are eligible to apply for one. You must act quickly and follow these steps:
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Note Your Case Number: This number is crucial. You will need it to track your place in the visa queue via the monthly Visa Bulletin on the travel.state.gov website.
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Submit Form DS-260: This is the Online Immigrant Visa Application. You must complete and submit it as soon as possible through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website.
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Gather Supporting Documents: Start collecting required documents like your passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), and police certificates.
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Complete a Medical Exam: You will need to have a medical examination performed by an authorized physician.
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Attend Your Visa Interview: You will be scheduled for an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
Critical Deadline: All steps must be completed, and you must receive your visa, by September 30, 2026. After this date, all unused visas for the DV-2026 program expire.
What to Do If You Are Not Selected
If you see a “not selected” message, it means you were not chosen in the random lottery drawing for this year.
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You can re-apply for the next Diversity Visa lottery. The registration period for DV-2027 is expected to open in early October 2025.
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There is no appeal process. The selection is random by computer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: I lost my confirmation number. What can I do?
A: Unfortunately, there is no public recovery tool. You must try to find the original email or printout. Use the exact personal details from your application to search on the official site.
Q: The website says “Invalid Confirmation Number.” What’s wrong?
A: Double-check that you entered the number and your name exactly as they appeared on your confirmation. The system is case-sensitive.
Q: Can my family come with me?
A: Yes! If you are selected, your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 can apply for green cards as your derivatives.
Q: Is it really free to check?
A: Yes. Checking your status on the official .gov website is completely free. Any site asking for payment is a scam.
Checking your DV Lottery status is the first step toward a potential life in the United States. By using this guide and relying only on official government resources, you can safely and confidently navigate the process.
Check your status here: dvprogram.state.gov/ESC
