The U.S. Department of State will open online registrations for the Fiscal Year 2026 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery starting on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
Foreign nationals who wish to apply have until Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 12:00 PM EST to submit their entries through the official DV lottery website.
The FY 2026 lottery will offer up to 55,000 green cards through a random selection process.
Results will be announced in May 2025, and selected applicants can begin applying for their green cards starting October 1, 2025.
Eligibility
The DV lottery is open to individuals born in countries with historically low rates of U.S. immigration.
Countries with high immigration rates to the U.S. are excluded. For FY 2026, ineligible countries include Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela, and Vietnam. However, individuals born in Macau SAR and Taiwan can still apply.
Applicants unable to register due to their country of birth may qualify through a spouse or in some cases, through a parent’s country of birth. All applicants must also meet educational requirements or have two years of qualifying work experience within the past five years.
How to Apply
To enter, applicants must submit an online form and digital photo via the official DV lottery website. Only one entry is allowed per person; multiple entries will lead to disqualification.
Participation is free, and applicants can include their spouse and children in the application.
After submitting their application, entrants will receive a confirmation number, which can be used to check their status when results are released in May 2025.
Selection Process and Notifications
Winners are chosen through a random computer drawing. Results will be posted on the official DV lottery website starting May 3, 2025, and will remain accessible until at least September 30, 2026.
Applicants must check their status using their confirmation number on the DV website, as the State Department does not notify winners by mail, e-mail, fax, or phone.
Avoiding Scams
The State Department advises applicants to be aware of scams associated with the DV lottery. The official DV lottery website is the only authorized platform for registration, and there are no fees for entering. Applicants should avoid fraudulent websites or individuals charging fees for registration services.
Furthermore, the State Department does not send notification emails or faxes and cautions applicants to be wary of any messages claiming a lottery win without prior registration.
For more details and to register, applicants should visit the official U.S. Department of State DV lottery website.
