Each year, the federal government reviews immigration data from the previous five years and allocates Diversity Immigrant visas to regions and countries with lower admission rates. For many applicants with no U.S.-based family members or employers to sponsor them, winning the Diversity Immigrant visa lottery is often described as “winning big.”
According to the U.S. Department of State, nearly 21 million people applied during the most recent 37-day application period. Roughly 130,000 applicants—representing winners and their family members—were selected, underscoring how competitive the visa lottery truly is.
Applicants who win are not guaranteed entry. They must still complete extensive paperwork, attend interviews, and pass rigorous background and security vetting conducted by U.S. authorities.
Regional Distribution and Vetting Requirements
This year’s Diversity Immigrant visa allocations included approximately 35,000 slots for applicants from Africa, 15,000 for Asia, and about 8,500 for Europeans. Even after selection, applicants undergo criminal background checks, medical exams, and multiple layers of screening by agencies such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security.
