U.S. Proposes Passport Scans for Green Card Lottery Applicants

U.S. Proposes Passport Scans for Green Card Lottery Applicants

The U.S. government has proposed a new rule requiring all Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery applicants to submit a scanned image of their valid passport when entering the lottery. This change aims to reduce fraud and ensure that only genuine applicants participate in the program.

Why the Change?

Officials from the Department of State say that many previous entries were fraudulent or submitted by unauthorized agents. Requiring a passport scan will make it harder for fake or duplicate entries to be submitted and will help verify the identity of applicants early in the process.

What Does This Mean for Applicants?

If the rule is finalized, starting in the next DV Lottery cycle, you must have a valid, unexpired passport at the time of application . A clear scanned image of the passport’s main information page will need to be uploaded.

This requirement could prevent many from applying who don’t have a passport in time or who relied on third-party agents in the past. However, it’s seen as a step to make the process more secure and fair.

When Will This Take Effect?

The proposed rule is still open for public comment. If approved, it could be implemented as early as the DV-2027 lottery , which usually opens in October 2025