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The DV (green-card) lottery — real, free, and how to avoid the scams
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About
Who this is for
Nepalese considering the DV lottery — and anyone being pressured by a "DV agent."
The facts that protect you
- Free + official only. You enter at the official travel.state.gov DV site during the annual registration window. There is no fee to enter and no "authorized agent" needed.
- One entry per person. Submitting duplicate entries disqualifies you. (A family can each enter if individually eligible.)
- Keep your confirmation number. It's the only way to check your result later — on the official site. There is no email telling you that you won; "winner" emails are scams.
- Selected ≠ green card. If selected, you still go through processing — forms, documents, fees, medical, and possibly a consular interview — and must remain eligible. State Department guidance last updated December 23, 2025 says DV applicants may submit applications and attend interviews, but no diversity visas are being issued during the pause. See travel.state.gov.
- Photo to spec. A wrong photo is a common disqualifier — follow the official specification exactly.
How it works (framework — confirm the year's details on the official site)
- Check eligibility + the registration window on travel.state.gov (country eligibility + education/work requirement).
- Prepare a compliant digital photo.
- Enter for free on the official site during the window; save your confirmation number somewhere safe.
- Check results on the official site (Entrant Status Check) using your confirmation number — only there.
- If selected, follow the official instructions and timeline, but check the current DV issuance pause before making plans; interviews may still be scheduled while visas are not issued.
Scam red flags (share these with family)
- Anyone charging a fee to "enter" or claiming to be an official DV agent — there's no such thing.
- A "Congratulations, you won! Pay a fee / send bank details" email or call — the government doesn't notify winners by email; you check yourself.
- A site that looks official but isn't the real .gov address — type the official address yourself.
- "Guaranteed win" or "increase your chances for a fee" — impossible; it's random.
Frequently asked
Is the DV lottery real?
Yes — a real US program. The scams around it are the danger, not the program.
Should I pay someone to enter for me?
No — entering is free; paying an "agent" risks your money and a disqualifying duplicate/error.
I got an email saying I won — is it real?
Almost certainly a scam. Check only via the official Entrant Status Check with your confirmation number.
If I win, am I guaranteed a green card?
No — you still must apply, qualify, and pass the interview.
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