Each year thousands of hopeful immigrants around the world look to the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (commonly called the “Green Card Lottery”) as a chance to build a new life in the United States. Administered by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), the program opens once a year for submissions, followed by a random drawing of entries and visa allocations.

As we move through 2025, however, significant changes and uncertainties have emerged — changes that applicants need to understand clearly.

What the Diversity Visa Program is

The DV Program allows up to 50,000 visas each fiscal year to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. ( USCIS ) Unlike most other immigration pathways, the DV lottery is entirely random for eligible entrants — once t

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