The US Diversity Visa (DV) Program, widely known as the “Green Card Lottery,” could soon see important changes that impact millions of hopeful applicants worldwide.
The reason is that the U.S. Department of State has introduced a proposal aimed at tightening security checks, improving applicant verification, and reducing fraud within the program.
A Closer Look at the Proposed Rule
The new measures, published in the Federal Register, call for enhanced vetting in the US Diversity Visa application process. If approved, applicants would be required to provide:
- Valid, unexpired passport details at the time of entry.
- A scanned copy of the passport’s biographic and signature pages.
Furthermore, these steps are designed to verify identities early in the process and deter fraudulent submissions, including unauthorized third-party applications and sham marriages tied to the program.
Why the Change?
According to the State Department, requiring passport documentation upfront will make it harder for bad actors to manipulate entries. It will also help immigration officers confirm names, birth details, and nationalities with greater accuracy — saving time and resources later in the visa review stage.
The proposed updates also include small but important administrative changes, such as:
- Replacing the term “gender” with “sex” in line with Executive Order 14168.
- Using “date of birth” instead of “age” to ensure more precise recordkeeping.
Who Could Be Exempt from the Passport Rule?
Not every applicant will need to meet the passport requirement. Exemptions would apply to those who are:
- Stateless.
- Citizens of a communist-controlled country who cannot obtain a passport.
- Beneficiaries of a specific waiver granted by the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State.
How the DV Program Works
The US Diversity Visa Program offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas each year to nationals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. Applicants must meet two main criteria:
- Be a native of an eligible country.
- Have at least a high school education (or equivalent) or two years of qualifying work experience.
Winners are selected randomly via a computer-generated lottery, but only those who meet all eligibility requirements can proceed to apply for a green card.
Timeline and Public Feedback
The proposed rule is currently open for public comment until September 19, 2025. After the review period, the State Department will determine whether to finalize the changes. If implemented, applicants will need to have their passports ready before submitting their entries — a shift from the current process, where some obtain passports only after selection.
Bottom line: If you plan to apply for the US Diversity Visa, prepare now by securing a valid passport and staying informed on the final decision. This change could be a game-changer for anyone entering the DV Lottery in upcoming years.