Your guide to the 2026 DV lottery
The registration period for the 2026 DV Lottery is now open. You can submit one entry through November 5, 2024. Find out how to apply and next steps if you win.
What is the DV lottery?
The DV Lottery is officially called the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. It is also known as the green card lottery. It is a yearly program that allows people to enter for a chance to win a U.S. visa. A computer selects the winners randomly.
Winners and their immediate family members can become legal permanent residents with Green Cards. They can live, work, and study in the USA. After 5 years, they can apply to become U.S. citizens.
The 2026 Diversity Visa (DV) program is named for the year winners can move to the USA, even though the lottery happens in 2024. This is because the government needs time to select winners and process their visa applications.
| There are 55,000 diversity visas available for the DV-2026 program. The chance of getting a diversity visa is very low. Millions of people apply each year. |
Who can apply
Participants in the 2026 diversity visa program must meet two requirements.
1. You must be a native of a country with low rates of immigration to the United States.
People from the following countries are not allowed to participate in the 2026 DV lottery:
- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- Canada
- China (including Hong Kong SAR)
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Republic of Korea (South Korea)
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
Note: Natives from Macau SAR and Taiwan are eligible. You can still enter if your spouse is a native of a country with low rates of immigration. You can also claim the country of birth of your parents if they were born in a low immigration country.
2. You must have certain education and work experience. This includes a high school diploma or two years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience. Learn about the qualifying occupations.
| You do not have to speak English to apply for the DV lottery. |
How to apply
The registration period for the 2026 DV Lottery opened on October 2, 2024. The last day to apply is November 5, 2024 by 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5). The Department of State will not accept late entries.
You can now submit one DV Entry Form (DS-5501) online at dvprogram.state.gov. It is important you submit your application only one time. You will lose your chance to be considered if you submit more than once.
There is no fee to submit the form.
Tips for applying
- Use the official website. The only way to apply for the DV program is through the official Department of State website.
- Follow the step-by-step instructions. You can also find detailed DV-2026 instructions in multiple languages.
- Fill out the form yourself. Avoid using a “visa consultant” or “visa agent.” If someone helps you, make sure you are with them to make sure they enter true information.
- Make sure to use your own email address to be sure you receive reminders or notifications.
- Answer all questions accurately. Submitting fake information or documents can disqualify you.
- Update your internet browser if you are using an older browser or have problems with the website.
- Save your confirmation page and number! Take a screenshot of your confirmation page or write the confirmation number down somewhere safe. You will need this number to check your status. If you lose your number, the Department of State will not resend it.
DV lottery results
Results for the DV-2026 program will be posted on May 3, 2025. You must use the entrant status check directly with the U.S. Department of State to check if you won. You will have to input your confirmation number.
You will not receive a letter or an email telling you if you won.
Warning about DV lottery scams
Be aware of fraudulent emails and letters from scammers. Remember:
- The DV lottery is free.
- There is no way to increase your chances of winning.
- The only place you can enter is with the U.S. Department of State website.
If someone is requesting money or offering a way to improve your chances, it is a scam. Do not pay money for an entry or to check the status of your entry.
Read more about diversity visa scams.
Information for winners
If you win the visa lottery, you will have to go through further processing to apply for a visa. Being selected for the DV program does not guarantee you will get a visa or green card.
It is important to apply as soon as possible. You must apply for and get your visa by September 30, 2026. The U.S. government will not issue any visas after this date.
After winning the visa lottery, you will still have to:
Confirm your qualifications. Make sure you have a high school diploma or at least two years of work experience. Your passport also needs to be valid.
Submit Form DS-260. This is the application for your immigrant visa. After submitting the form online, print the confirmation page. You will need this for your interview.
Submit supporting documents. Your interview will not be scheduled until you submit scanned copies of all required documents.
Complete a medical examination. You must schedule an appointment with an authorized physician in the country of your interview.
Prepare for your interview. You can find the date, time, and location of your interview on the E-DV website. If your spouse and children are also applying for the DV visa, they must be at the interview with you.
You will also need to bring these documents to your interview:
- your appointment letter
- DS-260 confirmation page
- original supporting documents
- medical exam results
- a valid passport
- 2 recent photos
Pay your fees. You must pay the Diversity Visa fee. This fee is $330. It is not refundable even if you do not get a visa. You will have to pay this at the time of the interview.
Attend your interview. An officer from your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate will ask you questions about your application and documents. At the end of the interview, the officer will tell you if your entry was approved or denied.
Get your visa and come to the USA. Once you get through these additional steps, your diversity visa will be put in your passport and you will receive a sealed immigrant packet.
To enter the United States, you will need to:
- Travel to the U.S. before your DV visa expires
- Present the sealed packet unopened
- Have required medical records on hand
Once you enter the USA, you are considered a lawful permanent resident. This means you are allowed to work and live permanently in the USA.
| If you are already in the United States, you may be able to get a Green Card through adjustment of status. You will not have to go through consular processing abroad. |
Proof you can support yourself
You do not need to submit an affidavit of support to enter the USA. However, you must prove that you will not need government benefits for financial support. You can do this by showing your income and assets, such as investments, savings, and real estate.
If you cannot provide this proof on your own, a friend or family member in the USA with legal status can fill out Form I-134 to agree to support you financially. You can submit this as a supporting document.
| If you need help or have questions about your case, contact the Kentucky Consular Center at [email protected]. Include your name, birthdate, and case number. |
بدانید که چگونه خود را از وبسایت های جعلی و بدنام حفظ کنید. بیاموزید که چه کنید اگر شما قربانی تقلب و جعل شدید.
معلومات این صفحه از U.S. Department of State و دیگر منابع معتبر بدست می آید. هدف ما ارائه معلوماتی به آسانی قابل فهم است که به طور منظم اپدیت می شوند. این معلومات مشوره حقوقی نمی باشند.
مطالب بیشتر از USAHello
به دنبال معلومات خاص هستید؟
