FY2026 Diversity Visa Lottery: Green Card Registration Guide
Key Facts You Need to Know
- The 2027 Diversity Visa (DV-2027) Lottery is expected to open in early October 2025 and run until early November 2025.
- Registration for the 2026 DV Program ran from October 2, 2024, through November 5, 2024 (12 PM EST).
- All DV Lottery entries must be submitted electronically through the official U.S. Department of State system.
- There is no cost to enter the DV Lottery. However, if selected, you must pay the required visa application fee before your consular interview.
- Selectees are chosen by a randomized computer drawing administered by the Department of State.
Every year, the U.S. Department of State conducts the Diversity Visa Lottery (Green Card Lottery) to provide an opportunity for individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the U.S. The program makes 50,000 immigrant visas available annually, offering thousands of winners the chance to begin a new life in the United States.
What Is the Diversity Visa Lottery?
The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program provides 50,000 green cards each year through a computer-generated lottery system. It is specifically designed for applicants from countries with low immigration rates to the United States.
Most selectees complete their immigration process through consular processing abroad and obtain their immigrant visas at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
DV-2027 Lottery Submission Dates
- Expected entry period: October 2025 – November 2025.
- Exact dates will be announced by the Department of State closer to the opening period.
DV-2026 Lottery (Most Recent Dates)
- Open date: October 2, 2024 (noon EST)
- Closing date: November 5, 2024 (noon EST)
All entries had to be submitted online only. No paper submissions or late entries were accepted. While entry was free, selected applicants had to pay the required visa application fee before their consular interviews.
Checking DV-2026 Lottery Results
The 2026 DV Lottery results were released on May 3, 2025. Out of millions of entries, 55,000 visas were allocated to eligible applicants worldwide.
- Winners are randomly selected by computer.
- The highest number of visas are typically issued to applicants from Africa and Europe.
- Benefits include access to U.S. education, employment, and healthcare opportunities, making it a life-changing immigration pathway.
Registration Rules
The 2026 DV Lottery results were released on May 3, 2025. Out of millions of entries, 55,000 visas were allocated to eligible applicants worldwide.
- Only one entry per person is allowed. Submitting more than one entry will automatically disqualify the applicant.
- The Department of State’s system detects duplicate entries.
- No paper entries or late submissions are accepted.
- The National Visa Center randomly selects applicants, but no single region may receive more than 7% of the total green cards.
- Entry is completely free—beware of scams or unauthorized services charging fees for registration.
Notification of Selection
- The Department of State does not send email or postal notifications.
- U.S. embassies and consulates will not publish lists of winners.
- The only official way to check results is through the Entrant Status Check on the E-DV website.
What If You Are Selected?
If you are selected:
- You will see a confirmation page with further instructions.
- This includes details on required immigration fees and next steps.
- Remember, selection does not guarantee a green card. It only makes you eligible to apply for an immigrant visa for yourself and qualifying family members.
Adjusting Status Under the DV Program
If you are already in the United States and want to adjust status through the DV Program, you must show:
- Proof of selection in the DV Lottery.
- An immigrant visa immediately available (check the Visa Bulletin at the time of filing).
- Admissibility to the United States.
Adjustment of status requires filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
DV Lottery Requirements
To qualify, applicants must meet these requirements:
- Country of Chargeability: Must be born in an eligible country or meet alternate chargeability rules.
- Education/Work Experience: At least a high school education (12 years equivalent) or two years of qualifying work experience within the last five years in a profession requiring specialized training.
- Eligibility Period: Must meet all requirements within the registration timeline.
- Accurate Information: All entry details must match your identification documents.
- Derivatives: Include your spouse and children if they qualify.
- Ineligibility: If found ineligible, your application will not proceed.
Why Consult Green Card Link?
While the application is free, the process can be confusing and highly competitive. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys help applicants avoid mistakes, prepare for consular interviews, and successfully complete the adjustment process if selected.
Schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link today to maximize your chances of success in the Diversity Visa Lottery.
How to Check Your 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery Status
The U.S. Department of State will release the official results of the DV-2026 Lottery on May 3, 2025. Once the announcement is made, applicants can verify their status online by completing the following steps:
- Enter your confirmation number – This is the unique code you received after submitting your entry (formatted with the program year YYYY).
- Provide your last/family name – Use the exact spelling and punctuation as listed on your original Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form.
- Enter your birth year – Use the four-digit format.
- Complete the authentication check – Type the characters displayed in the image to confirm your identity.
It is important to note that the Department of State will not send email notifications or letters regarding selection. Entrants must use the official Entrant Status Check to confirm results.
Past Diversity Visa Lottery Winners by Region
Historically, the highest number of Diversity Visas (DVs) have been issued to applicants from Africa and Europe. However, specific allocation details are not fully disclosed, as USCIS has not released comprehensive data for all regions.
Eligible Countries for the 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery
The U.S. government updates the list of eligible countries each year based on immigration trends. Below are the nations eligible for the DV-2026 Lottery:
Africa
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Djibouti, Egypt*, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Asia
Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel*, Japan***, Jordan, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria*, Taiwan**, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.
Europe
Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau SAR**, North Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vatican City.
North America
The Bahamas.
Oceania
Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
South America, Central America, and the Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay.
⚠️ Countries Not Eligible for DV-2026:
Applicants born in the following countries cannot apply because more than 50,000 of their nationals immigrated to the U.S. within the last five years: 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, and Vietnam.
However, applicants from Macau SAR and Taiwan remain eligible.
DV-2026 Frequently Asked Questions
Does winning the Diversity Visa Lottery guarantee a green card?
No. Selection only means you are eligible to apply for a Diversity Visa. You must still complete the green card application process. To avoid delays, it is strongly recommended that you begin the process quickly. For professional assistance, you can schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link.
What if my native country is not eligible?
If your country is not eligible, you may claim your spouse’s country of birth if it is eligible, provided your spouse also qualifies and immigrates with you under a DV-2 Visa. You may also claim one of your parents’ countries of birth if neither parent was born or legally resided in your country at the time of your birth.
How can I confirm if my job qualifies under the work experience criteria?
Check the U.S. Department of Labor O*Net Online Database:
- Select “Find Occupations” and navigate to “Job Family.”
- Locate your occupation and check whether it falls into Job Zone 4 or 5 with an SVP rating of 7.0 or higher.
- Only those requiring at least two years of training or experience meet the DV Lottery work criteria.
When can I apply for the 2026 DV Lottery?
Applications for the DV-2026 Lottery will be accepted from October 2, 2024, to November 5, 2024.
How do I check my eligibility?
To qualify, you must be a native of an eligible country (or qualify through alternate chargeability) and meet the education or work experience requirements. At least a high school diploma or two years of qualifying work experience within the last five years is required.
How to Apply for the 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery
If you are interested in applying for the 2026 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, you must complete and submit the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form (E-DV Entry Form or DS-5501) online. Applications are accepted exclusively through the official U.S. Department of State website at dvprogram.state.gov. No paper submissions are permitted, and applicants should take care to submit accurate and complete information during the registration period.
How Many Winners Are Selected for the 2026 DV Lottery?
Each year, 55,000 Diversity Visas are made available through the DV Lottery program. These visas are allocated to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. The goal of the program is to encourage diversity within the immigrant population entering the U.S.
What Are the Chances of Winning the 2026 DV Lottery?
The odds of winning the 2026 DV Lottery are relatively low and vary depending on the number of applicants and the region of the world you are applying from. Although 55,000 visas are issued annually, the U.S. State Department typically receives 10 to 15 million entries. This means that an individual applicant’s chance of selection is often less than 1%.
Additionally, regional quotas restrict visas from any one region to no more than 7% of the total. Historically, Africa tends to generate the highest number of applicants, which further reduces individual odds for applicants from that region. The exact chances can shift each year depending on application volume and country participation.
What if You Lose Your DV Lottery Confirmation Number?
If you misplace your confirmation number, don’t worry—you can retrieve it through the official State Department portal. Simply select the “Forgot Confirmation Number” option on the website and follow the instructions to recover your details.
Stay Alert: Protect Yourself from DV Lottery Scams
It’s important to remain vigilant about fraud when it comes to the Diversity Visa Lottery. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming that you were selected for the 2026 DV Lottery—especially if it requests payment—proceed with extreme caution. Scammers frequently pose as official sources to trick applicants into sending money or personal information.
To verify your selection, always rely solely on the official State Department website at dvprogram.state.gov. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys strongly advise applicants to avoid third-party promises or fraudulent messages. Ensuring that you check your results directly on the official portal is the only way to confirm if you have been chosen.