The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program, administered by the U.S. Department of State, selects applicants randomly. Odds depend on the number of applicants from your country and regional quotas. Some countries have significantly higher competition than others.

In addition to the official processing time, consider administrative processing delays after the interview. Some applicants are approved within days, while others may wait weeks or longer depending on background checks. Planning travel at least 3–4 months in advance is usually safer.