The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the green card lottery, is a program run by the U.S. State Department that provides up to 50,000 immigrant visas each year to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Applicants for the diversity visa lottery must meet certain eligibility requirements to qualify for the program.
Do you need a valid passport to apply for the diversity visa lottery?
Yes, having a valid passport is a requirement for applying for the diversity visa lottery. According to the program rules, each applicant must provide a valid, unexpired passport as part of their entry. This passport must be valid for travel to the United States and must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond the end date of the diversity visa program (through September 30 of the following year).
Without a valid passport, an individual cannot successfully submit a diversity visa application. Passports provide proof of nationality and identity, which are key eligibility criteria. The passport number, issuing country, and expiration date must be entered correctly on the online lottery application form.
There are a few exceptions to the valid passport requirement:
- Applicants who live in countries where passports are not issued can submit a government-issued photo ID documenting their nationality and identity.
- Certain refugees or asylees may be able to apply using other specified documentation if they cannot obtain a passport from their country of nationality.
However, for the vast majority of applicants, having a valid, unexpired passport that meets length requirements is mandatory. Failure to provide passport information will lead to disqualification during the visa lottery application process.
Does my passport have to be valid for a certain length of time?
Yes, diversity visa lottery rules state that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the program year in which you are applying. This is an important requirement to ensure applicants will be able to use their passports for visa processing and travel to the United States if selected.
Specifically, your passport must have an expiration date that is on or after September 30 of the following year from when you submit your lottery application. For example:
- If applying for DV-2023 (the 2023 fiscal year lottery), your passport must be valid through at least September 30, 2024.
- For DV-2024, your passport must be valid through September 30, 2025.
- For DV-2025, your passport expiration must be September 30, 2026 or later.
This 6 month validity period is important for a few reasons:
- It accounts for the time needed to process your visa after being selected.
- It ensures your passport will remain valid for the required validity period for U.S. immigrant visas.
- It covers the period in which you may need to travel to the U.S. to activate your green card status.
If your passport expires sooner than 6 months after the end of the program year, you will need to renew your passport well in advance of submitting your diversity visa application. Having a passport that meets all validity requirements is essential for qualifying and being issued a visa if selected.
What if my passport expires before visa processing is completed?
If you are selected in the diversity visa lottery, your passport must remain valid through visa processing and your interview appointment at a U.S. consulate or embassy. This process can sometimes take 4-6 months after lottery selection notifications go out.
If your passport expires before you have completed visa processing, you will need to renew your passport to maintain valid documentation. Your new passport details will need to be submitted to the processing center handling your case in order for your case to proceed.
The renewal must occur as early as possible once notified of selection – any significant delays could jeopardize eligibility and lead to disqualification. The visa cannot be issued until a valid passport is provided.
Similarly, if you experience delays processing your visa and your passport nears expiration, you should renew it proactively even if still within 6 months of expiration. This prevents any disruption to your application and ensures you meet requirements to be issued an immigrant visa.
My passport was valid when I applied but has since expired – does this affect my eligibility?
If your passport was valid and met all expiration requirements when you originally submitted your diversity visa lottery application, you remain eligible even if it has since expired while waiting for results and further processing. Your application will still be considered as long as the passport was valid at the time of submission.
However, you will need to renew your passport and submit updated details once you have been selected and notified. Failing to renew an expired passport can lead to disqualification further along in the immigration process.
The requirement for at least 6 months validity beyond September 30 of the program year only applies specifically at the time you submit your original diversity visa application. Extensions or renewals can be completed later as needed if selected.
How do I renew my passport to meet requirements?
To renew your passport, you will need to apply through the passport agency in your home country. Steps vary by location, but generally involve:
- Completing a passport renewal application form
- Submitting your most recent passport
- Providing new passport photos
- Paying applicable renewal fees
- Providing any required supporting documentation
Many countries offer simplified renewal processes for applicants who have had a passport in the last few years. Check with your local passport agency to learn about specific policies and procedures.
Be sure to renew early once notified of selection to avoid any delays that could impact your visa application. If possible, renew for the maximum validity period to prevent having to renew again during the immigration process.
Once you receive your new renewed passport, be sure to send updated copies to the diversity visa processing center handling your case so they can update your file.
What if I can’t renew my passport in time?
In rare cases, applicants may be completely unable to renew their passport, such as due to instability or upheaval in their country. If you are unable to renew your expired passport in time for visa processing, you must inform the diversity visa processing center as soon as possible.
They will evaluate the situation to determine if an exception can be made. In some situations, alternative travel documentation may be accepted if absolutely necessary. However, a valid passport is strongly required in most cases.
Lengthy delays that are your fault, such as forgetting to renew, generally do not qualify for exceptions. But unforeseen circumstances outside your control that make passport renewal impossible may warrant special consideration after approval from supervisory officers.
Without a valid passport, though, your diversity visa application is at very high risk of denial, underscoring the importance of proactive passport renewal when selected.
Can I travel to the U.S. to activate my green card without a valid passport?
No, you cannot travel to the United States to activate your permanent resident status without a valid passport. Once a diversity visa holder pays their USCIS immigrant fee and enters the U.S., their green card becomes officially valid.
However, you must present a valid passport that meets all requirements when entering the country. The immigration officer at your U.S. port of entry will verify your identity based on your passport. Admission will be denied without proper travel documentation.
Attempting to enter the U.S. to activate your green card without a valid passport will result in significant complications. Your diversity visa will be considered abandoned and your green card invalid. Obtaining required passport renewals is essential.
Does my passport have to be from my country of birth?
For diversity visa applicants, your passport generally must be from your country of birth and reflect your country of eligibility. The lottery is based on picking applicants from countries with historically lower immigration levels.
Therefore, you must submit a passport issued by your country of birth at the time of your birth. There are limited exceptions, such as:
- If you were born in a country that no longer exists, you may be able to apply based on your place of residence.
- Refugees or asylees unable to get a passport from their home country may qualify to apply under alternate rules.
- In some cases, spouses and children can derive eligibility based on their spouse/parent’s country of birth rather than their own.
Naturalized citizens who obtain a passport from their new country of citizenship generally cannot apply based on that passport, with exceptions for spouses/children deriving eligibility as noted above. Contact the DV program for guidance if you have concerns about your country of eligibility.
If I have dual citizenship, which passport should I use?
If you hold dual citizenship and have passports from two different countries, you must apply for the diversity visa lottery using the passport from the country that qualifies you for the program based on the eligibility criteria.
For example, if you were born in Ireland but also hold Canadian citizenship, you must apply with your Irish passport since Ireland is your country of birth. You cannot apply with your Canadian passport, since there are higher immigration rates from Canada.
The lottery selection process confirms eligibility by verifying passport details against your country of birth and other data. Using the wrong passport can lead to a disqualified entry. Be sure to carefully determine which country you should apply under if you hold more than one passport.
What information from my passport do I need when applying?
When submitting your online entry form for the diversity visa lottery, you will need to enter the following passport details exactly as they appear in your document:
- Passport number
- Country of passport issuance
- Expiration date
You will also need to provide scans or digital photos of the bio data page of your passport when submitting your entry. This page includes your biographic data, passport details, photograph, and signature.
Entering accurate information is critical, as mistakes may cause your entry to be disqualified. Carefully transcribe your passport number and dates and check for errors before submitting.
What if my passport was lost/stolen after applying? Can I use a different one?
If your passport is lost, stolen, or becomes unusable after you submit your lottery application, you will need to obtain a replacement passport and submit the new details to the KCC diversity visa processing center.
Your new passport must still meet validity period requirements for visa issuance and travel. As long as the new passport is from the same issuer country, it can be used for further visa processing if selected.
However, you cannot submit a passport from a different country. For example, if you had a French passport but it was stolen and you replaced it with a Canadian one, you would no longer meet eligibility requirements tied to your country of birth.
Notify the KCC as soon as possible if your original passport is compromised to provide new details in a timely manner. Significant delays could impact visa issuance timelines.
Conclusion
Having a valid passport that meets all requirements is an essential part of the diversity visa application process. Your passport must remain valid through visa processing and activation of your green card in the United States if selected in the lottery.
Renewing your passport proactively and submitting updated details to processing centers handling your case can help avoid complications that could jeopardize your immigrant status. Carefully confirm passport validity periods in advance each year you enter the lottery to ensure eligibility.
Summary of Passport Requirements
To summarize, here are the key passport requirements for diversity visa lottery applicants:
- Must have a valid, unexpired passport from your country of birth
- Passport must remain valid for 6 months beyond end of program year (through September 30)
- Must renew passport and update details if it expires before visa processing is complete
- Passport information must match exactly as it appears in your document
- Must use the passport associated with your country of eligibility if you have dual citizenship
Meeting passport requirements ensures you will have proper documentation for visa issuance and travel to the U.S. if selected for the diversity visa program.
Requirements Overview Table
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid/Unexpired | Cannot be expired at time of lottery entry submission |
| 6 Months Minimum Validity | Must be valid at least 6 months past program year end on September 30 |
| Renewal if Expires | Must renew passport before visa processing if original expires |
| Accurate Information | Passport number, country, and expiration date must match passport exactly |
| Country of Eligibility | Use passport from country of birth/eligibility if dual citizen |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a passport to apply for the diversity visa lottery?
Yes, all applicants are required to provide a valid, unexpired passport that meets requirements as part of their diversity visa application.
What if my home country doesn’t issue passports?
In rare cases without passports, you may submit an alternate government-issued photo ID showing nationality and identity. Contact the diversity visa program for guidance.
Can I travel to the U.S. with a passport from another country?
No, you must have a valid passport from your country of eligibility to enter the U.S. to activate your green card status if selected.
Do I have to renew my passport before I enter the lottery?
No, but it must be valid through the required period at the time you submit your entry. Renew early once selected.
What if I make a mistake on my passport details when applying?
Entering incorrect passport details may lead to disqualification. Double check that all entries match your passport exactly before submitting.
The Diversity Visa Application Process Step-By-Step
Here is a summary of the key steps in the diversity visa application process from start to finish:
- Check eligibility – Confirm you meet all requirements such as country of birth, education level, and work experience.
- Enter online – Submit your registration for the lottery online during the designated entry period each year.
- Await results – If selected, you will be notified by mail with next steps for processing.
- Submit documentation – Provide required documents to the visa processing center such as forms, photos, and passport.
- Interview – Attend your visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate when scheduled.
- Medical exam – Complete your medical examination with an approved doctor.
- Visa issuance – If approved, your diversity visa will be issued.
- Travel to the U.S. – Pay fees and enter the U.S. with your visa to activate your green card.
Ensuring you meet all requirements, including having a valid passport, is key for success at each step in the process.