DV Lottery Mistakes That Get Entries Disqualified

Every year, people who could have had a real shot at a US green card lose it over something small. A photo taken with glasses. A second entry "just to be safe". A child from an earlier relationship left off the form.

The DV lottery doesn't give second chances for these errors. This guide covers the DV lottery mistakes that disqualify entries or sink cases after selection, based on official rules as of September 2026. The rules for each program year can change, so always read the current instructions too.

Why small DV lottery mistakes cost so much

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program uses automated checks to screen a huge number of entries. The State Department says it uses technology to detect duplicate entries, and it found 2.5 million fraudulent entries in DV-2025 alone.

There's no chance to fix your entry after the period closes. And if you're selected, a consular officer checks everything you entered against your documents. An error that slipped through at the start can end your case at the interview.

Common DV lottery mistakes at a glance

Photo and passport mistakes

Using the wrong photo

Photos are one of the top reasons for disqualification. Under the most recent published instructions (DV-2026), each photo had to be in color and in focus, taken within the last six months, and shot against a plain white or off-white background.

You also had to face the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open. Eyeglasses weren't allowed. The file had to be a JPEG, 600 by 600 pixels, and 240 kB or smaller. Each person on your entry needs their own photo.

Skipping the passport rule

A State Department rule effective April 10, 2026 requires your passport number and a scan of your passport's biographic and signature page. The passport must be yours, valid and unexpired. The scan must be a JPEG file of 5 MB or less, and PDFs aren't accepted.

Exemptions are narrow. They cover stateless people, nationals of a Communist-controlled country who can't get a passport from that government, and people granted an individual waiver. Keep a copy of the passport you used, because you may be refused later if you can't prove that number was valid.

Duplicate entries and family mistakes

The law allows one entry per person in each entry period. If you submit more than one, all of your entries are disqualified. That includes an extra entry a relative or "agent" filed for you without telling you.

There's one useful exception. Married couples may each submit their own entry if each is eligible. Each spouse lists the other, so if either is selected, the family can apply together.

Family details are where honest people slip up most. You must list your spouse unless you're legally separated by a court order, or your spouse is already a US citizen or permanent resident. You must also list every unmarried child under 21, even if the child doesn't live with you or won't move to the US.

Say you're a teacher in Nairobi. You have a nine-year-old son from an earlier relationship who lives with his grandmother, and you leave him off because he isn't coming. If you're selected, the officer finds his birth certificate in your records. Under the rules, that omission can make you ineligible, and your spouse and other children lose their chance too.

Education and country mistakes

You need at least a high school education, which the State Department defines as a formal 12-year course of elementary and secondary school. Correspondence courses and equivalency certificates such as the GED don't count.

The other option is two years of work in the past five years, in a job that requires at least two years of training or experience. Many jobs don't meet that bar, so check before relying on work experience.

Country is the other trap. You normally enter under your country of birth. You can claim your spouse's country of birth, or a parent's if neither parent was born or legally living in your country of birth when you were born. Claiming a country you can't back up with documents will fail at the interview.

DV lottery scams and fake fees

Scammers target the lottery because people want it badly. The State Department's 2026 rule describes a fraud ring that charged selectees up to $15,000 to hand over their own confirmation numbers.

Know the official costs so you can spot fakes. As of September 2026, the registration fee is $1, paid as part of the official entry. If you're selected, the diversity visa application fee is $330 per person. Confirm both on the State Department's fee schedule.

Walk away from anyone who emails or writes to say you've won, asks you to wire money, offers to "guarantee" selection or keeps your confirmation number. The US government has never sent emails telling people they were selected. Entrant Status Check is the only place to get your result.

Mistakes after you're selected

Selection only lets you apply. It doesn't guarantee a visa or even an interview, and every visa must be issued, or adjustment of status approved, by September 30 of the program year. Avoid these slip-ups:

1. Waiting too long. Follow the Entrant Status Check instructions and submit Form DS-260 (the online immigrant visa application) promptly.
2. Losing your confirmation number. Store it somewhere safe, along with a screenshot of your confirmation page.
3. Arriving without proof. Bring original diplomas, transcripts or employment records that match what you entered.
4. Ignoring cost planning. Budget for the visa fee, medical exam, police certificates, translations and travel.
5. Missing policy news. On August 28, 2026, a federal court temporarily vacated a USCIS hold on DV-2026 adjustment cases. Check USCIS and State Department updates before relying on any timeline.

If your case is refused, don't panic or pay a fixer. Read our guide to what to do after a visa refusal, and consider a licensed attorney for complex cases. Our immigration lawyer cost guide explains what to expect.

What to do next

Before the next entry period, get your passport in order, take fresh photos, and write down every family member you must list. Then read the official instructions for that program year on travel.state.gov.

When the period opens, follow our step-by-step guide on how to apply for the DV lottery. And if chance feels too uncertain, compare the DV lottery vs EB-2 route.