Skip to main content

 
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Electronic Diversity Visa
Applicant Entry System: 12.02.00
 Help

Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery

Welcome
Our State Department Web site for the 2018 Diversity Visa program (DV-2018) is now open. The entry
submission period for DV-2018 is from 12:00PM EDT (GMT -4) on October 4, 2016 to 12:00PM EST
(GMT -5) on November 7, 2016. The entry form will only be available for submission during this period
and this period only. Entries will NOT be accepted through the U.S. Postal Service.
After reading the instructions, click the "Begin Entry" button below to enter the DV Lottery.

Entry Instructions
Please read the DV-2018 Entry Instructions carefully. Entrants may be disqualified for not completing
the entry form correctly or by submitting more than one entry. Use the link below to view the
instructions. 

DV-2018 Instructions

Photo Tool
Before beginning the entry process, you can verify that your picture(s) comply with all requirements by
clicking the link below. 

Photo Tool

Entry Form
The entry form is prepared in two parts, one for the primary Entrant and one for derivatives (if any).
Each part must be completed correctly and completely before going to the next part. After all parts are
completed, the entry will be submitted to the DV-2018 Processing Center. Click the link below to begin
the entry process. 

Begin Entry

DV Entrant Status Check

2018 Entrant Status Check
DV-2018 Entrants may enter their confirmation information through the link below starting at noon
(EDT) on May 2, 2017. The DV-2018 registration period opens on October 4, 2016, and closes on
November 7, 2016. DV-2018 Entrants should keep their confirmation number until at least September
30, 2018.

2017 Entrant Status Check

DV-2017 Entrants (those who entered the DV lottery between October 1, 2015 and November 3, 2015)
have until September 30, 2017 to check the status of their entry through this website. The DV-2017
registration period was from October 1, 2015, until November 3, 2015.

Click the link below to check DV-2018 and DV-2017 Entrant Status. 

Check Status

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes
per response, including time required for searching existing data sources, gathering the necessary documentation, providing the
information and/or documents required, and reviewing the final collection. You do not have to supply this information unless this
collection displays a currently valid OMB control number. If you have comments on the accuracy of this burden estimate and/or
recommendations for reducing it, please send them to: PRA_BurdenComments@state.gov.
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT: The information asked for on this form is requested pursuant to Section 222 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act. INA Section 222(f) provides that visa issuance and refusal records shall be considered confidential
and shall be used only for the formulation, amendment, administration, or enforcement of the immigration, nationality, and other
laws of the United States. Certified copies of visa records may be made available to a court which certifies that the information
contained in such records is needed in a case pending before the court.

   travel.state.gov    Top of page

This site is managed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. External links to other Internet sites should not be
construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

Skip to main content

 
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Electronic Diversity Visa
Applicant Entry System: 12.02.00
Applicant Entry System (AES)
Online Help
 Introduction to AES

 Navigating in the AES Web Site

 The Welcome Page
 Entering the Authentication Code

Navigating in the AES Web Site

Moving Between Pages

While in the AES Web site, do not use your Internet browser's Forward and Back buttons to navigate
between pages. The browser's cache (temporarily stored Web pages and documents) does not refresh,
so using your browser's navigation buttons may display outdated information. Use the buttons provided
on the Web site to ensure you are viewing updated information.

Begin Entry   Photo Tool   DV-YYYY Instructions   Check Status   Submit   Continue   Go Back to Part 1Go

Back to Part 2   Cancel   Cancel Entry   Confirm Cancellation   Resume Entry   Back To Welcome Page  

 Print    Help    Top of Page    travel.state.gov  

The Welcome Page

When you log on to www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period, you will see the Welcome
Page for AES.
You can click the following links: 

DV-YYYY Instructions: This link opens a separate Internet browser window containing detailed
instructions for the current DV lottery year, including who is eligible to enter the lottery, a list of all the
information you will need in order to complete the Entry Form, how to properly compose the required
photographs for submission, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions. To avoid having your entry
disqualified, read and follow these instructions carefully. 

Photo Tool: Prior to filling out the Entry Form, use this link to check that the photographs you intend to
submit with your entry will be accepted by the system. You cannot submit your photographs via this
link; this is only to verify that your photographs are valid. 

Begin Entry: This link will open the Authentication Code page. You will have to successfully enter the
code in order to access the Entry Form. 

https://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ESC/ - (DV Entrant Status Check) This link will take you to the ESC
Web site where lottery applicants can check to see whether their entry was selected for further
processing. The instructions include guidelines for which DV lottery years may check their status, and
the date range they may check their status. 

Entering the Authentication Code

Completing the Authentication Code Page

You must enter the code you see on this page to submit your Entry Form.

To enter the displayed code:

1. In the text field, enter the characters you see displayed and click Submit.
2. If you are having trouble reading the characters, do one of the following: 

 Click Refresh to display a new code. Enter the characters in the text field and click Submit. 

 Click Speaker to hear an audio clip of the characters. Enter the characters in the text field and
click Submit. 
When you click Submit after entering the correct characters, the online Entry Form will open, via a
secure connection, by which you will submit your application and photographs. You will have up to 60
minutes to submit your Entry Form from the time you click Begin Entry. You cannot fill out the form
offline, and you cannot fill out only part of the form and complete the rest later. For this reason, it is very
important that prior to clicking this link, you do the following: (1) read the DV Entry Instructions and
gather all the information you will need, and (2) use the Photo Tool to verify that your photographs will
be accepted.
To enter the displayed code:

1. Click Cancel Entry.
The Confirm Cancellation page is displayed.
2. Click Confirm Cancellation to discard your Entry Form. The information you filled out will not
be saved. If you decide to enter the DV lottery later, you will have to fill out the Entry Form again.

Validating and Submitting Photographs

 Using the Photo Tool

 Submitting Photo on Part One - Entrant Information
 Submitting Photos on Part Two - Derivatives

Using the Photo Tool

Check That Photographs Meet All Requirements

You must submit photographs of:

 You
 Your spouse
 Each unmarried child under 21 years of age at the time of your electronic entry, including all
natural children as well as all legally adopted children and stepchildren, even if a child no longer
resides with you or you do not intend for a child to immigrate under the DV program.

To validate that a photograph meets all technical requirements:

 From the Welcome Page, click Photo Tool. The Photo Requirements web page is displayed,
describing the photo requirements and providing a Photo Cropping Tool.

Submitting Photo on Part One - Entrant Information

Help: Detailed instructions about the technical requirements for photographs can be found by
clicking Photo Tool on the Welcome Page and scrolling down. 

Submitting Photographs: You will submit only one photograph for the primary Entrant on Part One -
Entrant Information. Photographs of your spouse and children, if any, will be submitted on Part Two -
Derivatives once you have completed Part One. 

To select a photograph to submit:

1. Under the Entrant Photograph section, click Browse next to the Photograph File Name field to
open the Choose file window. 

Note: You can only upload photos using the Browse button; you cannot manually type in the file
path.
2. Navigate to the location on your computer where the photograph is stored.
3. Select the photograph file name and click Open. The Photograph File Name field populates
with the file path to the selected photo. 

Note: Once you click Continue on the bottom of Part One, the photograph will be uploaded to the Entry
Form. You can change the photograph you choose to submit up until you submit the final completed
form to the DV lottery.

Submitting Photos on Part Two - Derivatives

Help: Detailed instructions about the technical requirements for photographs can be found by
clicking Photo Tool on the Welcome Page and scrolling down. 
Submitting Photographs: You will submit separate photographs for your spouse and for each child on
Part Two - Derivatives. There will be separate fields for each child based on the number you entered in
the Number of Children field on Part One - Entrant Information. 
To select a photograph to submit:

1. Under the Entrant Photograph section (Spouse, Child #1, etc.), click Browse next to the
Photograph File Name field to open the Choose file window. 

Note: You can only upload photos using the Browse button; you cannot manually type in the file
path.
2. Navigate to the location on your computer where the photograph is stored.
3. Select the photograph file name and click Open. The Photograph File Name field populates
with the file path to the selected photo. 

Note: Once you click Continue on the bottom of Part Two, all photographs will be attached to the Entry
Form. You can change the photograph you choose to submit up until you submit the final completed
form to the DV lottery.

Chapter 3 - Completing the Entry Form

 Completing the Entry Form for the Primary Entrant

 Completing the Entry Form for Derivatives

Completing the Entry Form for the Primary Entrant

Begin Entry
Help: Below are a few basic tips for completing the Entry Form. For a blank sample of Part One -
Entrant Information, click here or scroll down. For detailed instructions on each form field, click here or
scroll down. 

The Entry Form: Click Begin Entry on the Welcome Page to start filling out the Entry Form. The form
is divided into two parts. Part One - Entrant Information gathers information about only the primary
Entrant (the eligible person applying to the DV lottery). Part Two - Derivatives gathers information about
derivatives (your spouse and children), if any. You must complete Part One before filling out Part Two.
The Entry Form only supports U.S. keyboard characters. 

Note: You will have up to 60 minutes to submit your Entry Form from the time you click Begin
Entry. You cannot fill out the form offline, and you cannot fill out only part of the form and complete the
rest later. For this reason, it is very important that prior to clicking this link, you do the following: (1) read
the DV Entry Instructions and gather all the information you will need, and (2) use the Photo Tool to
verify that your photograph will be accepted. 

Entry Form Links: The Entry Form contains links to the Country of Eligibility list, the Photo Tool, and
the Qualified Occupations list. All of these links will open in new windows. This allows you to seek
additional information without losing your place on the Entry Form. 

Completing Part One: Once you have filled out all information on Part One - Entrant Information,
click Continue. One of the following will happen:

 If you have derivatives, Part Two - Derivatives will open for you to complete.
 If you have no derivatives, the completed Entry Form will be displayed for you to review. Go to
Submitting a Completed Entry Form for details.

Below is a blank sample of the Entry Form Part One - Entrant Information.
To complete Part One - Entrant Information, fill out the fields as follows:

1. Name 

o Last/Family Name: Type your last or family name in the field. If you don't have one,
select the No Last/Family Name check box.
o First Name: Type your first name in the field. If you don't have one, select the No First
Name check box.
o Middle Name: Type your middle name in the field. If you don't have one, select the No
Middle Name check box. 

Notes: You must fill out at least one of the three name fields. Each name field takes a
maximum of 33 characters.
2. Gender: Select either Male or Female.
3. Birth Date 

o Day: Type in the day of birth.

 o Month: Type in the month of birth.
o Year: Type in the year of birth. The principal Entrant must be at least 13 years old at the
time of your electronic entry.
4. City Where You Were Born: Type the city where you were born. Do not enter the district,
county, province, or state, even if that is all you know about where you were born. If you don't
know the actual city where you were born, select the Birth City Unknown check box.
5. Country Where You Were Born: Click the arrow to open the list of countries, and click the
correct country to populate the field. 

Note: If the name of your birth country has changed, select the name by which the country is
currently known.
6. Country of Eligibility for the DV Program: The majority of Entrants are eligible to enter the
DV lottery program based on the country where they were born. Were you born in a country
whose natives are eligible for the current DV lottery year? 

o Yes: You don't have to make any changes. Yes is selected by default.

o No: Select No. Then click the arrow to open the list of countries, and click the correct
country of eligibility to populate the field.

Note: Select the Explanation of Country of Eligibility link on the Entry Form to learn about the
special circumstances in which you can be eligible to enter the DV lottery based on a country
other than the one in which you were born.

7. Entrant Photograph: Click Browse to open the Choose file window, navigate to the location on
your computer where your photograph is stored, and click Open to populate the Photograph File
Name field. 

Note: Once the file path to your photograph appears in the Photograph File Name field, that is all
you need to do. Once you click Continue at the bottom of the Entry Form, the photo will be
uploaded to your form.
8. Mailing Address 

o In Care Of: If someone other than yourself, such as a relative or lawyer, will be
receiving mail for you, enter their name here. You may leave this field blank.
o Address Line 1: Type the first line of your address here. This field is required.
o Address Line 2: Type additional address information, such as an apartment number,
here. You may leave this field blank.
o City/Town: Type the city or town of the address in this field. This field is required.
o District/County/Province/State: Enter the appropriate information for your address.
This field is required.
o Postal Code/Zip Code: Type the postal or zip code here. If the address does not
require this information, select the No Postal Code/Zip Code check box.
o Country: Click the arrow to open the list of countries, and select the correct country to
populate the field. This field is required.
9. Country Where You Live Today: Click the arrow to open the list of countries, and select the
correct country to populate the field. 

Note: Where you live today does not affect your eligibility for the DV lottery program.
10. Phone Number: You may type a phone number here where you may be contacted. This field
may be left blank.
11. E-Mail Address: Type an e-mail address here by which you may be contacted. This address
will be used in the future if you are selected and you respond through the ESC Web site. 

o E-Mail Address: Type the e-mail address here.

o Confirm E-Mail Address: Type the same e-mail address here to confirm that it was
entered correctly. You cannot copy and paste your address from the first field; you must
retype it.
 12. What is the highest level of education you have achieved, as of today?: Select the level of
education that is the best match for you.
13. What is your current marital status?: Select your marital status.
14. Number of Children: If you have any biological children, legally adopted children, or
stepchildren less than 21 years old at the time of your electronic entry, you must enter a number
here, even if only some, or none, of them would be immigrating with you. If you have no children,
you may leave this field blank. 

Notes: If you are currently pregnant or in the process of adopting a child, do not count that child. If
you are selected and you have a child that was born or adopted after you entered the lottery, you
will be able to add them to your application at that point. You may list a maximum of 20 children.
15. Click Continue. One of the following will happen: 

o If you have derivatives, Part Two - Derivatives will open for you to complete.
o If you have no derivatives, the completed Entry Form will be displayed for you to review.
Go to Submitting a Completed Entry Form for details.

Completing the Entry Form for Derivatives

Finish Entry
Help: Below are a few basic tips for completing the Entry Form. For a blank sample of Part Two -
Derivatives, click here or scroll down. For detailed instructions on each form field, click here or scroll
down. 

The Entry Form: If you indicate that you have a spouse or children on Part One - Entrant Information,
clicking Continue on Part One will open Part Two - Derivatives. The form will include entries for each
child, based on the number you entered in the Number of Children field on Part One. 

Note: You will have up to 60 minutes to submit your Entry Form from the time you click Begin Entry.
You cannot fill out the form offline, and you cannot fill out only part of the form and complete the rest
later. For this reason, it is very important that prior to clicking this link, you do the following: (1) read the
DV Entry Instructions and gather all the information you will need, and (2) use the Photo Tool to verify
that your photographs will be accepted. 

Entry Form Links: Part Two contains a link to the Photo Tool. This link will open in a new window to
ensure that you won't lose your place on the Entry Form. 

Editing Part One: If you need to return to Part One to edit or change any information, you must
click Go Back to Part 1. Do not use your Internet browser's Back button or you will lose your
information. 

Completing Part Two: Once you have filled out all information on Part Two - Derivatives,
click Continue. The entire completed Entry Form displays for you to review. Go to Submitting a
Completed Entry Form for details. 

Below is a blank sample of the Entry Form Part Two - Derivatives.

To complete Part Two - Derivatives, fill out the fields as follows:
13. Spouse Name

a. Last/Family Name: Type your spouse's last or family name in the field. If they don't have one,
select the No Last/Family Name check box.
b. First Name: Type your spouse's first name in the field. If they don't have one, select the No
First Name check box.
c. Middle Name: Type your spouse's middle name in the field. If they don't have one, select the
No Middle Name check box. 

Notes: You must fill out at least one of the three name fields. Each name field takes a maximum of
33 characters.

13d. Birth Date

 Day: Type in the day of birth.

 Month: Type in the month of birth.
 Year: Type in the year of birth. The spouse must be at least 13 years old at the time of your
electronic entry.

13e. Gender: Select either Male or Female.

13f. City Where Spouse Was Born: Type the city where your spouse was born. Do not enter the
district, county, province, or state, even if that is all you know about where they were born. If you don't
know the actual city where your spouse was born, select the Birth City Unknown check box.
13g. Country Where Spouse Was Born: Click the arrow to open the list of countries, and click the
correct country to populate the field. Note: If the name of your spouse's birth country has changed,
select the name by which the country is currently known.
13h. Spouse Photograph: Click Browse to open the Choose file window, navigate to the location on
your computer where the photograph is stored, and click Open to populate the Photograph File Name
field. Note: Once the file path to your photograph appears in the Photograph File Name field, that is all
you need to do. Once you click Continue at the bottom of the Entry Form, the photo will be uploaded to
your form.
14. Child #1 Name

a. Last/Family Name: Type your child's last or family name in the field. If they don't have one,
select the No Last/Family Name check box.
b. First Name: Type your child's first name in the field. If they don't have one, select the No First
Name check box.
c. Middle Name: Type your child's middle name in the field. If they don't have one, select the No
Middle Name check box. 

Notes: You must fill out at least one of the three name fields. Each name field takes a maximum of
33 characters

14d. Birth Date Select either Male or Female.

 Day: Type in the day of birth.

 Month: Type in the month of birth.
 Year: Type in the year of birth. The child must be less than 21 years old at the time of your
electronic entry. You cannot type a future date of birth.

 Note: If you are currently pregnant or in the process of adopting a child, do not count that child.
If you are selected and you have a child that was born or adopted after you entered the lottery,
you will be able to add them to your application at that point.

14e. Gender: Select either Male or Female.

14f. City Where Child Was Born: Type the city where your child was born. Do not enter the district,
county, province, or state, even if that is all you know about where they were born. If you don't know the
actual city where your child was born, select the Birth City Unknown check box.
14g. Country Where Child Was Born: Click the arrow to open the list of countries, and click the
correct country to populate the field.
Note: If the name of your child's birth country has changed, select the name by which the country is
currently known.
14h. Child Photograph: Click Browse to open the Choose file window, navigate to the location on
your computer where the photograph is stored, and click Open to populate the Photograph File Name
field.
Note: Once the file path to your photograph appears in the Photograph File Name field, that is all you
need to do. Once you click Continue at the bottom of the Entry Form, the photo will be uploaded to
your form.
15. Click Continue. The entire completed Entry Form displays for you to review. Go to Submitting a
Completed Entry Form for details.

Chapter 4 - Submitting and Confirming the Entry Form

  Submitting a Completed Entry Form
 The Submission Confirmation Page

Submitting a Completed Entry Form

Enter the DV Lottery

Once you have completed Part One - Entrant Information if you have no spouse or children, and Part
Two - Derivatives if you have a spouse or children, click Submit to preview the entire completed form. 

To submit your entry to the DV lottery:

1. Review the completed Entry Form.

2. Do one of the following: 

o If you need to make changes, click Go Back to Part 1 to edit the Entrant Information
form, or click Go Back to Part 2to edit the Derivatives form, as appropriate. Do not use
your Internet browser's Back button.
o If you don't want to submit your entry at this time, click Cancel the Entry. The
information you filled out will not be saved. If you decide to enter the DV lottery later, you
will have to fill out the Entry Form again.
o If you are ready to submit your Entry Form, first print the form for your records using
your Internet browser's Print icon. Then click Continue.

The Submission Confirmation: Entry Received Page

Verifying That Your Entry Was Received

Once your Entry Form has been successfully submitted to the DV lottery, you will see the Submission
Confirmation: Entry Received page.
Note: This page includes vital information that you must save so you can later check the status of your
Entry Form. Either print this page using your Internet browser's Print icon or make a note of the
information for your records. 

Entrant Name: The name of the primary Entrant, arranged by Last/Family Name, First Name Middle
Name. 

Confirmation Number: You must keep your Confirmation Number in order to check the status of your
Entry after the lottery selection process has been completed. 

Year of Birth: Birth year of the primary Entrant. 

Digital Signature: This series of numbers and letters is automatically generated after you click the
final Continue to submit your entry. You will need this signature only in the event that a dispute arises
over your Entry Form.

Assistance Information

For more information about Diversity visas:

1. Go to: travel.state.gov
2. Click Visas
3. Click Diversity Visa
  Introduction
 Photographs
 Entry Form
 Submission
 Assistance Page

   travel.state.gov    Top of page

This site is managed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. External links to other Internet sites should not be
construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.