Mistakes that get a US Diversity Visa lottery entry disqualified

Photo mistakes

The photo alone disqualifies large numbers of entries every year. Avoid these:

• A coloured or shaded background, or people or objects behind you.
• Glasses, a face not looking at the camera, or closed eyes.
• Beauty filters or edits, or a picture taken from a screen or a printed photo.
• A file larger than 240 KB or dimensions outside the allowed range.

Name and date mistakes

Write your name in English, spelled exactly as in your passport, not in Arabic and not with a different spelling. Check your date, city and country of birth against the passport letter by letter.

Choosing the wrong "eligibility country" is a common and costly mistake, so double-check it, especially if you apply through a spouse or parent.

Duplicates and family mistakes

Only one entry per person per year is allowed, and duplicates disqualify all of your entries. Families also make specific mistakes:

• Forgetting to list an eligible spouse or child, or listing a child who is already 21 or older.
• Spouses submitting two separate entries without listing each other.
• Not listing stepchildren or adopted children.

Passport and confirmation number mistakes

Enter the passport number exactly, and do not use an expired passport or one close to expiry. After you submit, save the confirmation number immediately: if you lose it you cannot learn your result.

How to avoid all of this

Review the whole entry before you submit, check your photos with the free checker, and keep a copy of the confirmation page. If you want a second pair of eyes on your details before you apply, our service offers that with your consent.

Questions and answers