Key Takeaways
• DV Lottery winners on F-1 visas must maintain status and follow strict deadlines to adjust status or process abroad.
• Green card approval requires DS-260, I-485 (if adjusting in U.S.), and a completed visa interview before September 30, 2026.
• Department of State contacts winners only through the online portal; over 100,000 are selected for 55,000 available visas.
Winning the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery is an exciting achievement, especially if you are already in the United States 🇺🇸 as an F-1 visa student. If you find yourself in this situation, you have an important and unique chance to become a permanent resident. However, it is important to understand that getting selected is just the beginning. The DV Lottery program has specific rules, tight deadlines, and several steps you must follow. This guide will walk you through exactly what to do next, using clear and simple language, to help you make the right decisions and avoid common mistakes.
Checklist of Required Documents and Steps:
– Confirmation of your DV Lottery selection
– DS-260 form submission
– F-1 visa status documentation
– Supporting documents for Adjustment of Status (if applying in the US)
– Form I-485 (for those adjusting status in the US)
– Monitoring the Visa Bulletin for your case number’s progress
– Consular appointment and travel documents (if applying outside the US)
Now that you have a quick checklist to keep in mind, let’s look at the steps in detail.
1. Confirm Your DV Lottery Selection
The first and most important step is making sure you truly won the DV Lottery. Every year, many people misunderstand their status or fall for scams, so follow the official method:
A. Visit the Official Department of State Website
– Go to the Department of State E-DV website.
– Log in with the confirmation number you received when you first entered the DV Lottery.
Important:
– The Department of State will NOT email, call, or send mail to notify you that you have won. Never trust any source except the official website.
– DV-2026 results became available May 3, 2025. You can check your status up until at least September 30, 2026.
Tip: Save your confirmation number in a safe place. You will need it for all future steps.
2. Keep Your F-1 Visa Status Valid
While working through your Diversity Visa application, you must keep your F-1 student visa status active. This is very important throughout the process.
A. Stay Enrolled and Attend Classes
– Continue studying in your program as usual.
– Attend all classes and meet the rules of your school and the F-1 visa.
B. Do Not Violate Your Visa
– Make sure you do not work outside allowed on-campus or authorized off-campus jobs.
– Keep your student status completely valid until your green card is approved.
Caution:
– If you lose your F-1 status (“fall out of status”), you may not be able to complete the green card process inside the US. This could mean you must leave the US and apply from your country, which can be risky and cause delays.
3. Decide How to Complete Your Green Card Process
If you are in the US on an F-1 visa and win the DV Lottery, you have two main ways to apply for your green card:
A. Adjustment of Status (AOS) in the United States
With this option, you do not leave the country. Instead, you apply directly to become a permanent resident (get your green card) while still on your F-1 visa. Here are the key steps:
a. Watch the Visa Bulletin
– Each DV Lottery winner gets a case number. You must wait until your case number is “current” (eligible for processing) based on the monthly Visa Bulletin.
b. Complete the DS-260 Form
– The DS-260 is the main online form for Diversity Visa winners.
– Complete and submit it as soon as possible after confirming your selection.
c. Prepare Form I-485 and Supporting Papers
– Form I-485 is called the “Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.”
– Get all supporting documents ready, such as your passport, F-1 visa proof, immigration records, photos, and any other required information. Check the latest Form I-485 and instructions on the USCIS website.
d. File Your Application When Your Number Is Current
– Once your case number is announced as “current” in the Visa Bulletin, you can submit Form I-485.
– Include your DS-260 confirmation and other required records with your application.
Tip: Filing as soon as your case number is current increases your chance of getting approved before the deadline.
B. Consular Processing in Your Home Country
You can also leave the United States 🇺🇸 and complete your application at a US embassy or consulate in your home country.
Why Choose This Option?
– Sometimes, the wait for an interview in the US is long.
– If you lost F-1 status, you may only be able to finish your paperwork abroad.
a. Complete DS-260
– Submit this form online no matter where you plan to process your case.
b. Wait for Interview Scheduling
– Wait to be scheduled for a visa interview at the US embassy or consulate in your country.
c. Return Home for Interview
– Travel to your home country in time for your appointment.
Note:
– You need to make sure you can enter your home country for your interview, so double-check entry requirements and plan for possible travel delays.
4. Understand the Timeline and Deadlines
The DV Lottery process has some of the strictest timelines of any US immigration program.
A. End of the Fiscal Year Deadline
– Every green card must be issued before midnight, September 30 of the fiscal year for which you were selected.
– For example, if you were selected in DV-2026, your visa must be approved by September 30, 2026.
B. First-Come, First-Served
– The Department of State intentionally selects more winners than visas available—usually about 100,000 winners for 50,000-55,000 green cards. If you wait too long, you may miss your chance even if you were selected.
C. What Happens if You Miss the Deadline?
– If your paperwork is not approved by the deadline, you lose your chance. The US government will not make exceptions.
Tip:
– Submit everything quickly and monitor your case status often. Even small delays can lead to missing out.
5. Prepare for the Visa Interview (If Required)
Most DV Lottery winners must attend an interview—either at a US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office if applying via adjustment of status, or at a US embassy or consulate if applying from overseas.
A. What To Expect
– Officers will ask about your background, education, work history, and why you want to move to the US.
– Be prepared with all supporting documents, including birth certificate, police records, health checks, and financial proof.
B. After Approval
– If outside the US, you will receive your immigrant visa in your passport, allowing you to enter the US as a permanent resident.
– Winners adjusting status in the US will get a permanent resident card (“green card”) mailed to their local address.
Important:
– You must enter the US legally before the expiry date on your immigrant visa, usually valid for up to six months after approval.
6. After Entry or Approval
Once you either enter the United States with your immigrant visa or receive your green card through adjustment of status, you are a lawful permanent resident. At this stage, the most important steps are:
A. Receive and Secure Your Documents
– Safely store your green card and all supporting documents.
– Make copies and keep them in a different safe place.
B. Learn Permanent Resident Rights and Duties
– You can live, work, and study anywhere in the US.
– You must carry your green card at all times.
– You must avoid any actions that could impact your new status, like criminal offenses or abandoning your residence.
C. Maintain Records for the Future
– Keep copies of everything related to your DV process, as you may need them for naturalization or future travel.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many people lose their opportunity after winning the DV Lottery due to simple mistakes. Make sure to:
- Never ignore your F-1 status requirements before your green card is approved.
- Always use the official Department of State website for status updates.
- Watch deadlines carefully; missing even one date can cost you your chance.
- Do not submit false or incomplete documents.
- If your case is denied or delayed, consult an immigration attorney quickly to review next steps.
Advice and Best Practices
- Start your paperwork as soon as you confirm selection.
- Organize your documents early to avoid last-minute rushing.
- Consult your school’s international student office for help keeping your F-1 status valid.
- Consider speaking with an immigration attorney, especially for complicated situations like lost status or family members.
- Keep family and friends informed in case you need help in an emergency.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that early preparation, regular checking of case status, and understanding your two processing options are key to a smooth DV green card journey for F-1 visa holders.
Where to Find Help and More Information
If you have questions or want to confirm official procedures, always use government resources. The Department of State’s DV Lottery resource page offers detailed and up-to-date guidance.
You may also wish to contact:
– Your university’s Designated School Official (DSO)
– The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) National Customer Service Center
– A qualified immigration attorney who is experienced with both the DV Lottery and F-1 visa transitions
Summary: Your Next Steps After Winning the DV Lottery While on F-1 Visa
- Officially verify your DV Lottery selection through the Department of State.
- Keep your F-1 visa active—stay enrolled and obey all rules.
- Decide between Adjustment of Status in the US or Consular Processing abroad.
- Track deadlines closely, watching the Visa Bulletin and case progress.
- Collect all required documents early.
- File your DS-260 and, when ready, your I-485 (if adjusting in the US).
- Prepare for and attend your visa interview on time.
- After approval, safely store your green card and documents.
- Follow all rules as a new permanent resident and keep records for the future.
This organized, step-by-step approach will help ensure you complete your immigration journey smoothly and avoid losing your DV green card chance. Remember: winning the DV Lottery is a huge opportunity, but it is not a guarantee of permanent residency unless all steps are completed correctly and within the strict deadlines. Always use official resources, consult with trustworthy professionals, and keep your paperwork organized.
If you want more details or have unique questions about your case, the official travel.state.gov Diversity Visa section is the best place to start. Following each step above keeps you on track to turn your DV Lottery win into a successful green card approval while studying in the United States 🇺🇸 on your F-1 visa.
Learn Today
DV Lottery → Diversity Visa Lottery; a U.S. program randomly selecting individuals from underrepresented countries for permanent residence eligibility.
F-1 Visa → Nonimmigrant U.S. student visa allowing international students to study at accredited institutions in the United States.
Adjustment of Status (AOS) → Process of applying for lawful permanent residency (green card) from within the United States, without leaving.
Visa Bulletin → Monthly U.S. government publication showing visa availability and priority dates for various immigrant visa categories.
DS-260 → Online form required for immigrant visa applicants under consular processing, collecting personal, educational, and background information.
This Article in a Nutshell
Winning the DV Lottery as an F-1 student creates a rare path to a green card, but you must act quickly. Maintain your student status, choose the right processing route—adjustment of status or consular—and meet all deadlines. Precise paperwork, monitoring official resources, and timely action are crucial for success.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• F-1 Students must get authorization for off-campus summer work
• Missing STEM OPT Validation Reports can risk your F-1 status
• Judge Ana C. Reyes tests government on F-1 visa due process rights
• REAL ID deadline nears: What F-1 students and H-1B workers should know
• F-1 visa holders can re-enter the US during summer break
