The U.S. government is proposing new rules for the Diversity Visa (DV) Program that would require applicants to upload a passport scan when entering the lottery.
The rule is part of a larger effort to reduce fraud and ensure that only eligible individuals apply. If finalized, it would take effect for the 2026 DV Program, which typically opens for entries each October.
What’s Changing?
Under the proposed rule, all DV lottery applicants would need to:
- Provide a valid, unexpired passport number
- Upload a scan of the passport’s photo and signature page
Currently, no passport is required to enter the lottery.
There would be limited exceptions for individuals who are stateless, unable to get a passport from a communist-controlled country, or have an official waiver from the U.S. government.
Why the Change?
In a Federal Register notice, scheduled to publish August 8, the U.S. State Department says the change is designed to:
- Reduce identity fraud
- Prevent unauthorized third-party entries
- Strengthen national security screening
According to the government, the new requirement is meant to curb abuse, including schemes in which fraud rings have allegedly entered individuals into the lottery without consent and then demanded money once they were selected.
What Applicants Need to Know
- You will need to have a passport before you apply, not after you’re selected
- The passport must be valid and unexpired
- You’ll need to scan or take a clear photo of the passport’s photo and signature pages
- The scan must be in JPEG format and under 5 MB in size
If you can’t upload a scan or your passport is expired, your entry will be disqualified.
When Can I Apply?
The registration period for the 2026 green card lottery is expected to open in October 2025. The exact dates will be announced on travel.state.gov about a month before the window opens.
The program is free to enter and open to nationals of countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. If selected, you could apply for a green card in fiscal year 2026.
What Happens Next?
This is a proposed rule, not yet final. The public has 45 days to comment. The rule is likely to be finalized in time for the next DV lottery cycle in fall 2025.