What is the green card lottery (Diversity Visa Lottery, DV)?
The U.S. Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, DV), also known as the "green card lottery,"
is a program in which the U.S. government, to promote diversity in immigration, offers about 50,000 immigrant visas each year,
randomly selecting eligible applicants from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S.
The application process is done entirely online. In the past there was no entry fee (but new rules apply starting with DV-2027).
Being selected only means you become eligible to apply for an immigrant visa. You still have to pass the interview, the review and get approval on every requirement
before you actually get your green card.
Can people from Taiwan enter? Which countries are eligible?
According to the official instructions for recent years (DV-2026, DV-2027),
people born in Taiwan / the Republic of China are eligible to apply,
and residents of Macau (Macau SAR) can also take part.
However, some countries that send large numbers of immigrants are not eligible, including:
China (including Hong Kong), India, Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, Brazil, the United Kingdom (including its territories), Canada and others.
📍 Key reminder: eligibility is based on your "country of birth," not where you live now or which nationality you hold.
For example, if you were born in Taiwan and later became a Canadian citizen, you still enter as "born in Taiwan."
What are the eligibility requirements?
Applicants must meet both of these basic requirements:
1️⃣ Your country of birth is on the eligible list (such as Taiwan or Macau).
2️⃣ Your education or work experience meets either of the following:
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At least a high school diploma or its equivalent; or
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In the past 5 years, at least 2 years of work experience in a job that requires professional training.
💡 First check whether your job qualifies. You can look it up in the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database (O*NET Online).
DV-2027 new rules and application dates
🔹 Application period (estimated): 2025, from early October to early November (Eastern Time)
🔹 Checking your results: posted on the official website starting May 2026 (Entrant Status Check)
🔹 New policy: starting with DV-2027, there will be a $1 electronic registration fee (the first time a fee is charged)
This is meant to prevent duplicate and fraudulent entries. You must pay on the official website, not through a third party.
The fee is not refundable (non-refundable).
Official website 👉 https://dvprogram.state.gov
How to enter: the steps in brief
1️⃣ Check the announcement and the dates
Registration opens every year around early October to early November.
Fill out the form directly on the official website. Other websites are mostly agents or scams.
2️⃣ Fill out the form and upload a photo
Enter your name, place of birth, marital status and children, education level and so on;
the photo must meet the official specifications (600×600 pixels, taken within the last 6 months, white background, facing forward, no sunglasses).
3️⃣ Wait for the results
Starting in May of the following year, you can log in to "Entrant Status Check" to see your result.
If you are selected, you'll receive an official notice (the government will not send you an email).
4️⃣ Apply for the visa and interview
After you are selected, you must submit documents, pay fees and complete the interview by the deadline.
Only after you pass the interview do you officially receive your immigrant visa (green card).
Common mistakes and risks to watch out for
⚠️ Never trust agents or anyone who "guarantees" you'll be selected
The official program is completely free (starting with DV-2027, there is only the $1 registration fee),
and the Department of State will not contact you by mail on its own or ask for extra fees.
⚠️ Duplicate entries are not allowed
If one person submits more than one entry, all of them will be disqualified.
⚠️ A photo that doesn't meet the specs = automatic disqualification
Using an old photo, heavy retouching or the wrong size can all get your entry rejected.
⚠️ Selected ≠ green card in hand
You still have to complete the interview, submit documents, have a medical exam and pass a background check.
⚠️ Eligibility changes every year
The list is different every year, so check that year's official announcement to confirm you're still eligible.
Summary
🎯 People from Taiwan are currently still eligible for the U.S. green card lottery.
Registration for the DV-2027 lottery is expected to open in October 2025,
and it introduces the new $1 registration fee rule.
Applicants need a high school diploma or 2 years of professional work experience;
registration is entirely online, and each person may enter only once.
📌 The only official entry point: https://dvprogram.state.gov
Never use other websites or agents, or you could be scammed or disqualified