The U.S. government has proposed new rules for the Diversity Visa (DV) Program that would require all applicants to upload a valid passport scan when entering the lottery. This measure aims to reduce fraud and ensure only eligible individuals apply.
If finalized, the rule will take effect for the 2026 DV Program, which typically opens for entries in October 2025.
What’s Changing?
Under the proposed rule, every DV lottery applicant must:
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Provide a valid, unexpired passport number
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Upload a scan of the passport’s photo and signature pages
Currently, no passport is required to enter the lottery.
Limited exceptions would apply to individuals who are stateless, cannot obtain a passport from a communist-controlled country, or have an official waiver from the U.S. government.
The U.S. State Department, in a Federal Register notice scheduled for publication on August 8, explained the change is designed to:
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Reduce identity fraud
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Prevent unauthorized third-party entries
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Strengthen national security screening
According to officials, the new requirement will help curb abuses such as fraud rings entering people into the lottery without their consent and then demanding money once selected.
What Applicants Should Know
Applicants will need a valid passport before applying—having one after selection will no longer suffice. The passport must be unexpired, and applicants must upload a clear JPEG scan of the photo and signature pages, no larger than 5 MB.
Failure to upload the required scan or submitting an expired passport will result in disqualification.
When Can You Apply?
The registration period for the 2026 Diversity Visa lottery is expected to open in October 2025. Exact dates will be announced on travel.state.gov about one month prior to the opening.
The program remains free and is open to nationals of countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. Selected applicants will be eligible to apply for green cards during fiscal year 2026.
Next Steps
This is currently a proposed rule and not yet finalized. The public has 45 days to submit comments. The government expects to finalize the rule in time for the next DV lottery cycle in fall 2025.
