How Often Should You Check Your Diversity Visa DV Lottery Results After Failing to Win
Many individuals who participate in the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery wonder how often they should check their results after their initial unsuccessful attempt. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the frequency of checking and what to expect.
Initial Check After Unsuccessful Attempt
After completing an initial check of your DV lottery results and finding that you did not win, there is generally no need to keep rechecking the results repeatedly for the same lottery year. The results for each DV Lottery year are released until a specific cut-off date. For instance, the results for the 2024 DV Lottery will be available until September 30, 2024. This means that if you were not selected initially, that status is unlikely to change for that specific lottery year.
Frequency of Checking Results
Checking Initial Results
After the announcement of the results, you should review them right away. If you are not selected, it is important to remember that the U.S. Department of State will not contact you directly to inform you if you have been selected. You must check the results yourself using your confirmation number.
Retrieving Your Confirmation Number
If you have lost your confirmation number, you can still retrieve it. The U.S. Department of State provides resources to help individuals find their confirmation number, such as through the Diversity Visa website or by contacting the appropriate US Embassy or Consulate.
Subsequent Checks
First, check your results in May, and then continue to check every month until the end of September. By the end of this period, if you were not chosen, it will be time for the new DV lottery registration process to begin in October.
Underestimated Winners
It’s important to note that while many “winners” may not receive a visa for various reasons, the U.S. Department of State underestimates the number of winners who don’t get a visa. This means that a few new winners can be selected late in the season. Therefore, it is advisable to check again in September, as you may still be one of the late winners.
You must respond before September 30th. After that, the DV lottery for that year will be closed.
Rare Scenarios for Rechecking
The only time it would be advisable to check again is if the US Department of State announces a problem with the lottery system and the lottery will be held from scratch again. This occurred once a few years ago, but it is not likely to happen again.
Conclusion
In summary, you should check your DV lottery results once after the initial announcement, and then again in September to see if you are one of the new winners. If you were not chosen, better luck in the next lottery cycle. Remember that not all winning entries will receive a green card, as the drawings are based on a quota system, accounting for candidates who may fail to meet the qualification criteria.