I never really imagined I’d get a US Green Card through a lottery. Sounds surreal, right? But that’s exactly what happened when I entered the DV Lottery 2025, also known as the Diversity Visa Lottery.

Here’s my DV lottery timeline—from entering the lottery to landing in the US —so if you're thinking about trying your luck (and yes, it's partly luck), keep reading. I’ll also share timelines, tips, and mistakes to avoid. There is no cost to enter for DV lottery program, it's free.

1. October 6, 2023 – Submitted my DV Lottery 2025 application online here

2. November 7, 2023 – DV Lottery application window closed

3. May 4, 2024 – Checked results online and found out I was selected

4. May 12, 2024 – Submitted my DS-260 form (took a few days to gather documents)

5. February 2, 2025 – Received email that my interview was scheduled for March

6. March 5, 2025 – Completed medical exam at designated clinic in Kathmandu

7. March 20, 2025 – Attended DV interview at the US Embassy; visa approved

8. March 28, 2025 – Received my passport back with the immigrant visa

9. April 10, 2025 – Landed in New York City as a US permanent resident

10. May 1, 2025 – Received my physical Green Card at my US mailing address

Thanks to the DATANEB team for publishing my story.

What Is DV Lottery?

Let’s start with the basics. The DV Lottery, short for Diversity Visa Lottery, is a program run by the U.S. government to promote immigration from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the US, helping maintain cultural diversity.

If selected, you can apply for a Green Card, which is your permanent resident card—your golden ticket to living and working in the US. You can find the official documentation at the DOS website.

Each year, 55,000 Diversity Visas are issued. That’s 55,000 chances to change your life. It's open to most countries except for a few that already send high numbers of immigrants to the US.

DV Lottery Eligible Countries

Unfortunately, not everyone can enter. Countries with high levels of immigration to the U.S. over the past five years—specifically those where more than 50,000 people have moved to the U.S. during that period—are excluded. This included countries like:

• India

• China (mainland-born)

• Mexico

• Philippines

• Nigeria

• Canada

• South Korea

• The United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland)

• You can find the full list right on page 1.

If you're from these countries (your country of birth), you're not eligible—unless you're married to someone who is, or were born in an eligible country by chance. I was born in Nepal, one of the countries that qualify, and that’s how I got my shot.

On top of that, the program has a couple more requirements: you must be at least 18 years old, and either have a high school education or two years of qualifying work experience.

When Does the DV Lottery Open and Close?

For the DV Lottery 2025, applications opened on October 4, 2023, and closed on November 7, 2023. Every year, the lottery follows a similar pattern—applications open in early October and close by early November.

Results for DV-2025 were announced on May 4, 2024. You don’t get an email; you have to check the official Entrant Status Check page with your confirmation number. If you're planning ahead, here’s what to expect for the DV-2026 timeline:

✅ Application period: Expected to open in early October 2024 and close by early November 2024

✅ Results announcement: May (first week), 2025 (based on past trends)

✅ Interviews and visa issuance: From October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026

Winning Chances in DV Lottery

In the 2025 Diversity Visa Program, the US government made 55,000 green cards available. But here’s the catch: more than 11.4 million people applied. Yes, millions! It could be even more, but it's in millions. So, in DV-2025, the chance of getting selected was less than half a percent—about 0.48%, or roughly 1 in 207 people.

Out of those, around 119,000 people were selected (they over-select because many don’t complete the process). But only 55,000 can actually get the Green Card.

In contrast, the 2024 DV Lottery saw over 12 million entries and around 143,000 selectees, though the final number of issued green cards still stayed within the 55,000 cap.

DV Lottery Selected—What Happens Next?

When I saw the words "You have been randomly selected" on May 4, 2024, I didn’t believe it. But that was just the beginning. Here are the high-level steps after getting selected in the Diversity Visa Lottery:

1. Confirm your case number and priority

2. Submit the DS-260 form online

3. Wait for interview scheduling

4. Prepare for the visa interview

5. Attend the interview and medical exam

6. Get your visa and travel to the US

7. Receive your Green Card by mail

Now, let’s break it down further.

1️⃣ Submitting the DS-260

Within two weeks of checking the results, I filled out my DS-260 form online. It’s long and detailed, asking for your education, work history, travel, and personal info. Take your time and be honest. Even small mistakes can delay your case.

You need to fill out the DS-260 form as soon as possible and then wait. After submitting, you basically have to forget about it until September. That’s when the new fiscal year starts, and the Diversity Visa program begins processing lottery cases for that year. You can track the progress on the Visa Bulletin.

My case number was XXAS65XX (from the Asia region), which meant I had a decent chance of getting scheduled for an interview before the quota ran out.

2️⃣ Scheduling the Interview

The wait for interview scheduling is nerve-wracking. I submitted my DS-260 in May 2024, but my interview wasn’t scheduled until February 2025. Why? It depends on your case number and how quickly others in front of you move.

3️⃣ Medical Exam and Interview Day

Before your interview, you have to complete a medical exam at an embassy-approved clinic. For me, this was in Kathmandu, and I spent around $300.

The interview at the US Embassy was straightforward. The consular officer asked about my education, why I applied, and confirmed my documents. I was approved on the spot.

Pro tip: Make sure your documents are 100% ready. Originals, translations, police certificates—everything.

4️⃣ Traveling to the US on a Diversity Visa

I got my visa stamped in March 2025 and booked my flight to New York City in early April. When you receive your visa, you’ll also get a sealed envelope that must be handed over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon arrival. Along with this, you’ll receive additional documents, including instructions to pay an online fee (per person) before entering the U.S. on your visa for the first time.

That feeling when you enter the U.S. as a legal resident? Absolutely unmatched. I still remember walking out of JFK Airport thinking, This is real. Immigration was quick and smooth — no issues at all. They stamped my visa, and I was officially welcomed to the United States.

Your actual Green Card is mailed to your US address within a few weeks. Mine arrived in May 2025. On top of it, you also get your Social Security number.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the DV Lottery Process

Here are a few mistakes that can ruin your shot, even after getting selected:

• Entering multiple times: Automatic disqualification

• Using fake photos or wrong dimensions

• Not listing your spouse/kids properly

• Delaying your DS-260 submission

• Not preparing properly for the interview

• Missing your interview window

Also, never pay anyone who claims they can “guarantee” your selection. It’s a scam.

Final Thoughts: The DV Lottery Can Change Your Life

The DV Lottery isn't just a random game—it's a life-changing opportunity. The Diversity Visa opened a door I never thought I’d walk through. And now, I have my Green Card, almost got a full-time job in the US, and a future I can shape on my terms.

If you're from a qualifying country, apply this October for DV-2026. It’s free, simple, and the odds, while slim, are still real. Someone’s going to win. Why not you?

Reference: US DOS

Next: Priority Date Calculator

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