Start here
1. Use only the official DV entry website
The official Electronic Diversity Visa site is dvprogram.state.gov. Entry opens only during the official yearly registration period. The State Department says late entries and paper entries are not accepted, and all entries must be submitted electronically through the official site.
- 1
Wait for the official registration period
DV opens once a year for a limited time. The exact dates change yearly and are announced by the U.S. Department of State. Late and paper entries are not accepted.
- 2
Read the current year instructions
Before filling anything, open the current DV instructions from travel.state.gov and confirm eligibility, country rules, photo rules and family-member rules.
- 3
Prepare the photo first
Make a recent digital photo that meets the official requirements: color, plain background, clear face, square 600×600 JPEG and within allowed file size.
- 4
Fill the form yourself on dvprogram.state.gov
Use the official Electronic Diversity Visa portal only. Enter name, gender, birth details, country, photo, address, education, marital status, spouse/children and email carefully.
- 5
Submit only one entry per person
Submitting more than one entry for the same person can disqualify all entries for that person. Husband and wife can each submit their own entry if each includes the other correctly.
- 6
Save the confirmation number
After successful submission, print or save the confirmation screen. Without the confirmation number, checking result later becomes very difficult.
- 7
Check result only through Entrant Status Check
The State Department does not send winner emails. Use the official DV portal's Entrant Status Check when results open.
- 8
If selected, follow official visa steps
Selection is not a visa guarantee. Selectees must qualify, submit immigrant visa forms, attend interview, pay official fees and pass checks before visa issuance.
Photo
2. EDV photo requirements for Nepal applicants
The photo is not a decoration. It is a technical requirement. The official digital-image page says the file must be JPEG, square, color, 600×600 pixels and within the allowed file size. The visible photo must be recent, clear and not manipulated in a way that changes your appearance.
Size
600×600 pixels, square JPEG, within official file-size limit.
Look
Plain background, normal face, eyes open, no heavy editing or filters.
Freshness
Use a recent photo. Reusing an old DV photo is risky.
Form fields
3. Important DV form fields Nepali users should double-check
| Field | What to prepare | Common Nepal mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Surname/family name, first name, middle name | Putting surname in first-name field or changing spelling. |
| Date of birth | AD date used in passport/official record | Wrong BS-to-AD conversion. |
| Birth place | City/town and country of birth | Using current address instead of birth place. |
| Education | Highest completed level as per instructions | Selecting a level that is not actually completed. |
| Marital status | Current legal marital status | Leaving out spouse details after marriage. |
| Children | Eligible children required by instructions | Not listing children because they will not immigrate. |
One entry rule
4. Duplicate entry and spouse strategy
The official rule is strict: one entry per person. Submitting multiple entries for the same person can disqualify that person. A married couple can improve household chance legally only when each eligible spouse submits their own separate entry and each entry correctly includes the other spouse and required children.
- Do not submit once yourself and again through an agent.
- Do not let cyber cafes submit duplicate entries under small spelling changes.
- Do not hide spouse or children to make the form “simpler”.
- Use your own email and save your own confirmation number.
After submission
5. Confirmation number, result check and scams
After successful submission, the confirmation number is your key. Save it as PDF, print it and keep a private backup. Results are checked through Entrant Status Check on the official site. The State Department does not send winner emails.
- Never pay someone who says they can “check inside” before official result day.
- Ignore winner emails, WhatsApp messages and Facebook pages asking for payment.
- If selected, follow official visa instructions; selection is not visa approval.
- Keep passport, police, medical and interview steps separate from initial DV entry.
6. Related Tools Pasal help
Accuracy record
Official sources
Reviewed on . Government portals, fees and procedures can change; the linked official pages remain authoritative.
- Official Electronic Diversity Visa Program ↗
Official U.S. Department of State portal for DV entry submission during the open registration period and Entrant Status Check.
- U.S. Department of State — Diversity Visa Program Entry ↗
Official entry-process page explaining the annual registration period, no late/paper entries, one-entry rule, confirmation number and Entrant Status Check.
- U.S. Department of State — Diversity Visa Program ↗
Official overview for DV selectees, qualifications, interview process and status-check path after selection.
- U.S. Department of State — Digital Image Requirements ↗
Official photo technical requirements: JPEG, square dimensions, 600×600 pixels, color image and file-size constraints.
- U.S. Department of State — DV instructions ↗
Official photo guidance hub used to cross-check photo quality rules such as recent photo, plain background, no heavy editing and correct face position.