Visa Bulletin
How do I know if my DV lottery case number is current?
Updated · Not legal advice
Your Diversity Visa case number is current when it is lower than the cutoff the Visa Bulletin lists for your region (and, for some countries, a separate country cutoff) in the Diversity Immigrant section. Results themselves are only available through Entrant Status Check on dvprogram.state.gov; the State Department does not email or mail selection notices.
| Diversity Visa (DV) | Family / employment | |
|---|---|---|
| Your place in line | Rank (case) number | Priority date |
| Cutoff shown as | A number per region (some countries listed separately) | A date per category and country |
| Deadline | Visa must be issued by September 30 of that fiscal year | No fiscal-year deadline |
| Results | Entrant Status Check only | USCIS / NVC notices |
Reading the DV section of the bulletin
- Find the Diversity Immigrant (DV) section of the current bulletin.
- Find your region: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America (Bahamas), Oceania, or South America, Central America and the Caribbean.
- If your country is listed separately under your region, use that number.
- Your case number is current if it is below the number shown. The bulletin usually also lists next month's DV cutoffs.
Beware of scams
Selection is not announced by email. Messages that say you won and ask for money are scams. Check only on the official Entrant Status Check site.
Quick answers
- When are DV-2027 lottery results released?
- The State Department announces the date Entrant Status Check opens in the program instructions for each DV year. Check the official instructions rather than unofficial dates.
- How do I get notified when my DV case number becomes current?
- Watch the DV section of each new bulletin. DV alerts are not part of our plans yet; we cover family and employment categories.
- Does selection guarantee a green card?
- No. More people are selected than visas available, and visas must be issued by the end of the fiscal year.
What to do next
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Checked: November 12, 2026