In the first month of fiscal year 2025, there was a notable increase in Diversity Visa (DV) issuances compared to the same period in the previous year. According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, 2,396 DVs were issued in October 2024, a significant rise from the 1,868 issued in October 2023.
Egypt maintained its position as the top recipient of DVs in October 2024, with a total of 281 visas issued.
In October 2023, only three Nepalis were granted Diversity Visas, whereas in October 2024, the number surged to 14. For fiscal year 2025, which began on October 1, a total of 3,861 Nepali applicants were selected in the DV lottery. Nepal ranks third among Asian countries in terms of DV lottery winners, following Iran (5,267 winners) and Afghanistan (4,009 winners). Globally, Uzbekistan leads in Europe with 5,564 winners, while Cuba tops South America with 2,348 winners. In Africa, Algeria (5,526), Egypt (5,515), Sudan (5,505), and Kenya (4,459) are among the countries with the highest numbers of winners.
Although 55,000 visas will be issued worldwide, 131,060 applicants were selected globally to ensure all visas are utilized. A total of 19.9 million applications were submitted for DV-2025. Selected applicants must secure their visas by September 30, 2025, as per U.S. law. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
Those who entered the DV lottery between October 4 and November 7, 2023, can check their status online using their confirmation number, last name, and birth year. Applicants are advised to retain their confirmation numbers until at least September 30, 2025. DV-2025 winners started receiving visas in October 2024 and will continue to do so until September 2025.
The application deadline for the U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery 2026 was November 7, 2024. The results for the DV Lottery 2026 will be announced on May 3, 2025, and winners will be able to start the visa process from October 2025.
To be eligible for the DV Lottery, applicants must have completed at least a high school education or have qualifying work experience. Applicants must provide accurate personal details, including their full name, birth date, place of birth, photo, address, phone number, and email.
The DV Lottery is part of the U.S. Department of State’s annually administered Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, created under Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This program is designed to promote immigration from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
In recent years, an average of 1 million Nepalis have participated annually in the U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) lottery program. The number of participants decreased somewhat during the years when passports were mandatory. However, the court later removed the passport requirement for the DV lottery. Passports were required for the DV Lottery 2021, 2022, and 2023, but this requirement was removed for the DV Lottery 2024 and 2025.
Despite the passport requirement, 688,502 Nepalis participated in the DV 2021 program. According to the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, 421,765 Nepalis registered as primary applicants, and including their 266,737 derivatives, the total participation was 688,502. In the DV 2020 program, 1,026,423 Nepalis participated, with 637,696 as primary applicants and 388,727 as derivatives.
For the DV 2019 program, 1,092,035 Nepalis participated, including 684,180 primary applicants and 407,855 derivatives. From 2013 to 2018, Nepali participation in the DV program remained significant. In DV 2018, 1,187,350 Nepalis participated, with 728,718 as primary applicants and 458,632 as derivatives. Similarly, in DV 2017, 1,136,622 Nepalis participated, including 692,137 primary applicants and 444,485 derivatives.
In the DV 2016 program, 1,090,880 Nepalis participated, with 664,854 as primary applicants and 426,026 as derivatives. For DV 2015, 545,825 Nepalis participated, and with the addition of 347,136 derivatives, the total number reached 892,961. The DV 2014 program saw the participation of 613,385 Nepalis, including both applicants and their derivatives. In DV 2013, 496,410 Nepalis, including primary applicants and derivatives, participated in the lottery.
From 2007 to 2012, Nepali participation in the DV lottery was also substantial. In DV 2012, 397,036 Nepalis participated, of which 238,678 were primary applicants and 158,358 were derivatives. Similarly, in DV 2011, 322,758 Nepalis participated, with 194,373 primary applicants and 128,385 derivatives. In DV 2010, 356,216 Nepalis participated, with 211,421 as primary applicants and 144,795 as derivatives.
In DV 2009, 298,141 Nepalis participated, of which 170,716 were primary applicants and 127,425 were derivatives. For DV 2008, 389,989 Nepalis participated, with 222,477 primary applicants and 167,512 derivatives. Lastly, in DV 2007, 327,330 Nepalis participated, including 189,484 primary applicants and 137,846 derivatives.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
