Winning the Diversity Visa Lottery feels like hitting the jackpot—your ticket to the American Dream is finally within reach. But here’s the harsh reality: thousands of lottery winners lose their green card opportunity every year because of preventable mistakes on Form DS-260.
The DS-260 Green Card Lottery application, officially called the “Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application,” is your final hurdle before that life-changing visa interview. One seemingly minor error can send your application into administrative processing limbo or worse—result in outright disqualification.
After reviewing countless cases and speaking with immigration attorneys, I’ve identified the seven most common mistakes that derail DS-260 Green Card Lottery applications. Whether you’re a first-time applicant or helping a family member, this guide will help you navigate the process without jeopardizing your win.
Understanding the DS-260 Green Card Lottery Form
Before addressing any mistakes, let’s take a moment to clarify what you are working with. The DS-260 is a comprehensive online form managed by the U.S. Department of State. Once you’ve been selected in the Diversity Visa Lottery and your case number becomes current, you’ll need to complete this form through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
The form collects extensive information about your background, including personal details, family information, education, work history, travel records, and security-related questions. It’s lengthy—expect to spend 1-2 hours completing it—and requires supporting documentation you’ll need to gather beforehand.
Mistake #1: Inconsistent Information from Your DV Entry
This is the number one killer of DS-260 Green Card Lottery applications, and it’s completely avoidable.
When you submitted your initial Diversity Visa lottery entry, you provided basic information: name, date of birth, place of birth, education level, and marital status. Your DS-260 must match this information exactly. Even if the DS-260 information is correct, any discrepancy raises serious concerns.
Why this happens: Many applicants don’t save a copy of their original DV entry. Months later, when filling out the DS-260, they might correct a typo from their original entry or update information (like marital status) without realizing the consequences.
How to avoid it: Before starting your DS-260 Green Card Lottery form, retrieve your original entry confirmation. If you’ve lost it, try to recreate exactly what you submitted. If you discover a genuine error in your original entry, you may need to explain it in writing, but never simply “fix” it on the DS-260 without consulting an immigration attorney.
Mistake #2: Leaving Your DS-260 Incomplete
The DS-260 has a “save and continue later” feature, which is beneficial for such a lengthy form. However, some applicants save their progress and forget to return and submit. Some applicants mistakenly believe that saving their progress automatically submits the form.
The consequence: Your DS-260 Green Card Lottery application isn’t actually submitted until you complete all sections and electronically sign at the end. An incomplete form means no interview will be scheduled, and with limited visa numbers available each fiscal year, delays can be fatal to your case.
How to avoid it: After completing your DS-260, look for confirmation that it’s been submitted. You are encouraged to print or save this confirmation page for your records. Additionally, check your CEAC account to verify the status shows as “submitted” rather than “in progress.”
Mistake #3: Incorrect or Inconsistent Name Information
Names can be tricky, especially for applicants from countries with different naming conventions. The DS-260 Green Card Lottery form asks for your full name as it appears on your passport, including family names, given names, and any other names you’ve used.
Common errors include:
- Transliteration issues (different English spellings of names from non-Latin alphabets)
- Not listing maiden names or other previous names
- Including titles (Dr., Mr., Mrs.) in name fields
- Incorrect name order for cultures where family names come first
Why it matters: Any discrepancy between your DS-260, passport, birth certificate, and other documents can delay your case. Consular officers need to verify your identity across all documents, and inconsistencies suggest either fraud or carelessness—neither of which inspires confidence.
How to avoid it: Use your passport as your primary reference. Spell your name exactly as it appears there. In the “other names used” section, list any variations, including maiden names, names in your native alphabet, or different transliterations you’ve used on official documents.
Mistake #4: Providing Inadequate Work History
The DS-260 requires a detailed work history for the past five years. Some applicants treat this section casually, providing vague job titles or incomplete employment dates. Others working in the informal sectors leave gaps without explanation.
Why this is problematic: The diversity visa program requires either a high school education or two years of qualifying work experience. Your work history helps establish eligibility and verify your background. Consular officers use this information during your interview, and inconsistencies undermine your credibility.
How to avoid it: Be thorough and accurate. For each job, provide:
- Exact dates (month and year) of employment
- Complete employer name and address
- Detailed job title and duties
- Supervisor name and contact information
Should you have any employment gaps due to education, unemployment, or family care, please explain in the additional information section. If you have experience in the informal economy, please document what you can—even self-employment or agricultural work is valid if properly explained.
Mistake #5: Errors in Address History
The DS-260 Green Card Lottery form requires your address history for the past five years. Applicants often struggle with this section, especially if they’ve moved frequently or lived in multiple countries.
Common problems:
- Forgetting short-term addresses or temporary relocations
- Providing incomplete addresses (missing postal codes or apartment numbers)
- Listing addresses in incorrect formats for different countries
- Confusing dates and creating timeline gaps or overlaps
Why it matters: Your address history helps consular officers conduct security checks and verify your background information. Your background information must be consistent, as gaps or inconsistencies may delay processing while the officers investigate any discrepancies. In some cases, missing times raise security concerns.
How to avoid it: Before starting your DS-260, create a timeline of everywhere you’ve lived for the past five years. Include even short stays with friends or family. Verify each address is complete and correctly formatted. Please review your dates carefully to ensure there are no gaps or overlaps.
Mistake #6: Dishonesty on Security and Background Questions
The DS-260 includes critical questions about criminal history, immigration violations, communicable diseases, terrorist associations, and other security concerns. Some applicants, fearing disqualification, answer “no” to everything without careful consideration.
The reality: Many issues that seem disqualifying aren’t automatic bars to admission. A minor criminal offense from years ago, properly disclosed and explained, might not prevent you from getting a visa. However, lying about it absolutely will.
U.S. immigration authorities conduct thorough background checks. They have access to international databases and information-sharing agreements with many countries. If you lie and are caught, your application will be denied, and you may be banned from the US for fraud.
How to avoid it: Please review each security question thoroughly and respond with honesty. If you experience any issues with your background:
- Consult an immigration attorney about how to address it
- Obtain all relevant documentation (court records, police certificates, medical records)
- Prepare a clear, honest explanation
- Consider whether you need a waiver for your situation
Remember: many issues are waivable, but immigration fraud is not.
Mistake #7: Not Including All Derivative Family Members
When you won the DV lottery, you were allowed to include your spouse and unmarried children under 21 on your entry. These family members—called derivatives—can immigrate with you if properly included on your DS-260 Green Card Lottery application.
Critical errors:
- Failing to list a spouse or child on the DS-260 (even if they don’t plan to immigrate)
- Not completing separate DS-260 forms for each family member who will immigrate
- Listing children who have aged out (turned 21 before visa issuance)
- Adding new family members acquired after the DV entry (new spouse or newborn) without proper procedures
Why this matters: If you don’t list an eligible family member on your DS-260, they can’t be added later, even if they were on your original DV entry. Conversely, trying to add ineligible family members (like children born after your entry) requires special procedures and isn’t always possible.
How to avoid it: Please include all family members from your original DV entry, even if they are not planning to immigrate with you. For each derivative who will immigrate, complete a separate DS-260 form. If you married or had a child after your DV entry but before visa issuance, consult an immigration attorney immediately about the “follow-to-join” process.
Best Practices for Your DS-260 Green Card Lottery Application
Beyond avoiding these seven mistakes, follow these best practices:
- Gather documents first: Before starting your DS-260, collect all necessary documents: passport, birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, police certificates, educational credentials, and employment records. Having everything at hand ensures accuracy and completeness.
- Use the correct form: Make sure you’re completing the DS-260 for diversity visa applicants through CEAC, not a different immigration form.
- Be consistent across all documents: Your DS-260 should align with your passport, birth certificate, educational credentials, and other supporting documents. Where discrepancies exist, be prepared to explain them.
- Review before submitting: After completing your DS-260 Green Card Lottery form, review every section carefully before final submission. Once submitted, corrections require contacting the embassy, which delays processing.
- Keep copies: Print or save PDF copies of your completed DS-260 and confirmation page. You’ll need to reference this information during your visa interview.
- Don’t wait: Submit your DS-260 as soon as your case number becomes current. Visa availability is limited, and processing takes time. Delays can result in missing the fiscal year deadline, wasting your DV lottery win.
What Happens After Submitting Your DS-260?
Once you successfully submit your DS-260 Green Card Lottery application without these critical mistakes, the National Visa Center processes your form. It schedules your visa interview at the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate. Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks, though times vary depending on location and case complexity.
You’ll receive instructions about required documents, medical examinations, and interview scheduling. Use this waiting period to prepare thoroughly for your interview, where consular officers will verify the information in your DS-260 and assess your eligibility for a diversity visa.
Final Thoughts
The DS-260 Green Card Lottery application represents your final major hurdle before achieving your immigration goal. While the form seems daunting, approaching it carefully and avoiding these seven common mistakes dramatically increases your chances of success.
Remember: winning the DV lottery is an incredible opportunity, but it’s not a guarantee of a green card. Only by completing the DS-260 accurately, honestly, and thoroughly can you convert your lottery selection into an approved immigrant visa.
If you’re uncertain about any aspect of your DS-260 Green Card Lottery application—especially if you have complicated circumstances like prior immigration violations, criminal history, or complex family situations—investing in a consultation with an immigration attorney is money well spent. The cost of fixing mistakes or appealing denials far exceeds the price of getting it right the first time.
Your American Dream is within reach. Don’t let a preventable DS-260 mistake stand between you and your green card.