In my Consulta Migratoria® column, I explain what the 2026 Visa Lottery consists of and who can enter the lottery.
Each immigration case is different. Please consult with an immigration attorney for personalized legal advice before beginning any proceedings.
This is the column:
The Diversity Visa Program (DV-2026), also known as the 2026 Visa Lottery, Green Card Lottery, Diversity Visa Lottery, Diversity Visa Lottery or the Hype, is a U.S. government program that provides a program that grants up to 55,000 permanent residency visas each year to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
Participating in this program represents a unique opportunity to gain U.S. residency legally. However, it is important to have a good understanding of the requirements, the selection process and the steps to follow to maximize the chances of success.
Eligibility requirements for the 2026 Visa Lottery (DV-2026)
To participate in the 2026 Visa Lottery, you must meet the following requirements established by U.S. immigration law:
1. Be a native of an eligible country.
The primary requirement is to be a native of a country eligible for the program. This means that you must be born in one of the countries included in the list of eligible countries.
Generally, eligible countries are those that have had low rates of immigration to the United States within the last five years. Countries with high rates of immigration are excluded.
The list of eligible countries is updated every year. You will find the list of eligible countries for DV-2026 below.
2. Completed high school education or qualified work experience
You must meet one of these two requirements:
- Completed secondary educationequivalent to 12 years of schooling.
- Two years of qualified work experience in the last five years in occupations such as engineering, nursing, accounting, etc.
The official DV program website contains a list of occupations and their classifications to verify if your work experience qualifies.
3. Comply with general immigrant visa requirements.
In addition to the above two requirements, you must meet all other general requirements for obtaining an immigrant visa, which include:
- No criminal record
- No exclusionary health problems
- Demonstrate that you will not be a public charge in the U.S.
List of eligible countries for the 2026 visa lottery
A key factor for participation is to be a native of a country eligible for the diversity program. This is determined by country of birth, regardless of your current place of residence.
North America
The natives of Canada and Mexico "no" qualify for the 2026 diversity visa lottery.
Only Bahamian natives may participate in North America.
Central and South America and the Caribbean
Natives of the following countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean "are" eligible for DV-2026:
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Barbados
Belize
Bolivia
Chile
Costa Rica
Dominica
Ecuador
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
Uruguay
Natives of the following countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean "no" are eligible for DV-2026:
Brazil
Colombia
Cuba
El Salvador
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Dominican Republic
Venezuela
Africa
Natives of all African countries are eligible to apply for the 2026 visa lottery, except Nigeria that does not qualify this year.
Asia
In Asia, the natives of the following countries no are eligible for DV-2026: Bangladesh, China (including Hong Kong), India, Pakistan, South Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam. All other Asian countries are eligible to participate.
Europa
There are no European countries excluded from the 2026 visa lottery. Natives of all European countries are eligible to apply.
Oceania
All countries in the Oceania region are eligible to participate in the 2026 green card lottery.
Check the complete list of countries on the program's official website before registering.
How to register for the 2026 Visa Lottery
If you meet the above requirements, the next step is to enroll in the DV-2026 program. The process is free and quite simple.
Registration Dates
The registration period for the 2026 Visa Lottery is limited and you must act immediately.
Applicants must submit their DV-2026 applications electronically at dvprogram.state.gov between 12:00 pm (noon) Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), on wednesday, october 2, 2024and 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5), the tuesday, november 5, 2024.
You have only these dates to complete your application. It is recommended to do it as early as possible within the deadline to avoid system congestion. Late or paper registrations will not be accepted.
Electronic form DS-5501
You will need to complete the U.S. Department of State's Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form (E-DV Entry Form or DS-5501) available on the program's official website:
The form asks for basic personal information such as:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- City of birth
- Country of eligibility
- Genre
- Marital status
- Number of children
- Educational level
You must also include a recent photograph of yourself that complies with the specific requirements detailed in the 2026 Visa Lottery Instructions.
Recommendations for completing your application
Here are some tips on how to successfully complete the DS-5501 form:
- Use an updated browser
- Complete the form directly on the website
- Provides clear and accurate information
- Check your data completely before sending
- Print or save the proof of shipment
- Do not pay a third party to complete the form unless you do not wish or are able to do it yourself.
Only the official website dvprogram.state.gov is reliable.
Be wary of fraudulent communications that attempt to charge you or steal personal information.
Winner selection process
Once you register for the 2026 Visa Lottery, your application is entered into a random electronic lottery conducted by the U.S. government. Let's take a look at how this process works:
- The U.S. Department of State allocates a certain number of visas to each region of the world.
- Within each region, all applications received are listed and randomly selected through a computerized system.
- The first applications selected in each region get the first ranking numbers. This will determine their priority if they eventually qualify for a visa.
- It is essential to save your confirmation number that you receive when submitting the electronic application, as this is the only way to verify your status in the lottery.
Applicant Status Check System (Entrant Status Check)
You will need to use the Entrant Status Check system available on the official Visa Lottery website to verify whether or not you have been selected.
This system will be available from Saturday, May 3, 2025 and will show whether or not your application was selected in the electronic lottery.
If you were selected, the system will also provide you with the dates and details of your visa interview appointment at your U.S. consulate.
Appointment and visa distribution
Interviews for the DV-2026 Visa Lottery begin in October 2025. The specific date will depend on appointment availability and your assigned lottery ranking number.
Remember that the program issues a maximum of 55,000 visas per year and these are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
All available visas must be allocated before the end of the year. September 30, 2026so it is advisable to act quickly once your number is eligible.
Requirements for family referrals
Another important aspect of the Visa Lottery is the benefits that may accrue to certain derivative family members of the principal applicant.
If you are selected in the lottery, your next of kin can receive a visa along with you:
- Spouse
- Unmarried children under 21 years of age
These family members can obtain U.S. residency derived from your status as a lottery winner, but you must include them in your initial application for them to qualify.
Requirements for spouse and children
Your spouse and derivative children must meet the same basic immigrant visa requirements as you in order to accompany you. This includes:
- No criminal record
- Pass medical examinations
- Be admissible to the United States under the immigration laws.
In addition, it is essential to include complete information about each family member on your application, such as names, dates of birth, cities of birth and photographs.
If you do not include an eligible dependent on your original application, he or she will not qualify for residency through the lottery.
Exceptions
It is not necessary to include in the application family members who at the time of your enrollment are already members of your family:
- U.S. Citizens
- U.S. lawful permanent residents
Steps to follow if you are selected
If you use the Entrant Status Check system and confirm that you were selected in the 2026 Visa Lottery, congratulations!
Next, you must follow these steps to complete your immigrant visa application:
Form DS-260
You will need to complete form DS-260 to apply for your diversity immigrant visa. This electronic form requests more detailed information about your personal, educational and employment history.
You must also include the details of your spouse and any derivative relatives that you included in the initial application.
Gather supporting documentation
The consulate will inform you which documents you must present at the interview to verify that you meet all the requirements.
Some examples are: birth certificates, police certificates, academic degrees, medical records, etc.
3. Pay visa fees
There are fees that you must pay for each visa application. You must pay these fees during the consular interview.
4. Attend the consular interview
Once the consulate processes all your documents, you will be assigned an interview appointment, where they will determine whether to approve or deny your diversity visa application.
Visa requirements and possible causes of ineligibility
It is important to note that being selected in the lottery does not guarantee that you will receive a visa. During the process, a consular officer will determine your actual eligibility through an interview and background check.
There are a few reasons why you may be denied a diversity visa. The most common are:
- Criminal history
- Exclusive health problems
- Previous visa or immigration violations, including having lived without authorization in the United States
They will also assess security risks, likelihood of becoming a public charge, and your transparency in providing information.
Omitting details or lying is cause for permanent denial. If your visa is approved, you will receive the travel package stamped with the immigrant visa.
Adjustment of status within the United States for winners
If you are already in the United States and you are selected in the lottery, there is an option to adjust your status and become a permanent resident without the need to travel outside the country.
Requirements for adjustment of status
To qualify for adjustment of status, you must:
- Have been selected in the DV Visa Lottery.
- Meet you physically in the U.S.
- Not having gained access through fraudulent means
- Be eligible for permanent residency
You must also meet all general immigrant visa requirements.
Application Process
To apply for adjustment, you must file Form I-485 with your local USCIS office, along with:
- Fee payment
- Photographs
- Fingerprints
- Additional forms
Required Documentation
USCIS will require supporting documentation such as:
- Birth certificate
- Criminal records
- Medical certificates
- Test of funds
You should begin gathering this documentation as soon as possible after filing the I-485.
USCIS will review your case and you will be called for an interview to determine whether or not to approve your permanent residency.
Deadline
All applications for adjustment of status must be approved before the end of the year. September 30, 2026The deadline for awarding diversity visas.
Common Visa Lottery Scams and Frauds
Unfortunately, there is a lot of fraud surrounding the Visa Lottery. Scammers prey on people desperate to immigrate to the United States.
Some common frauds
- Registration fees
- Form preparation services
- Notifications and fake websites
- Sale of information on alleged winners
Tips for identifying fraud
Beware of:
- Pressure to pay for services
- False warranties
- Personal information requirements
Other useful tips:
- Don't pay for free government services
- Verify the legitimacy of e-mails
- Research reviews before using outside agencies
- If it's too good to be true, it's probably fraud.
Only the dvprogram.state.gov site is official. Report any fraudulent activity to the appropriate authorities.
Useful links from U.S. agencies
For reliable 100% information, we recommend that you visit the following official U.S. government websites directly:
- travel.state.gov - State Dept. Instructions
- dvprogram.state.gov - Registration and tracking portal
- uscis.gov - USCIS Adjustment of Status Information
- usembassy.gov - U.S. embassy and consulate sites.
Conclusion - Summary of key points
Participating in the 2026 Visa Lottery is an invaluable opportunity to obtain permanent residency in the United States legally.
This article provides you with the information you need to enroll and increase your chances of success. Below, we summarize the most important points:
Requirements
- Be sure to comply with all specified requirements.
Registration
- Register only during the established dates.
- Save your confirmation number.
If you are selected
- Act quickly and complete the necessary steps.
- Carefully gather all your documentation.
Consular interview
- Be on time for your appointment at the consulate.
Avoid fraud
- Be cautious and use only reliable sources.
Applying to the 2026 visa lottery takes time, but the effort is worth it. Good luck!
Thank you for reading this article based on official 100% sources for participating in the DV-2026 Visa Lottery. We hope you find the information provided useful!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the diversity immigrant visa program?
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the visa lottery, is an immigrant visa program that grants visas to citizens of countries with low levels of immigration to the United States.
What are the requirements to participate in the visa lottery?
Requirements to participate in the visa lottery include being a citizen of a qualifying country, having completed secondary education or having two years of work experience in an eligible occupation.
How to register for the visa lottery?
You can register for the visa lottery by completing the online registration form during the registration period, which generally opens in October and November.
When does the visa lottery open?
The visa lottery generally opens in early October and closes in early November of each year.
Which countries can participate in the visa lottery?
The visa lottery is open to citizens of countries with a low immigration rate. The countries that qualify to participate may vary from year to year.
When does the 2026 visa lottery registration period begin?
The 2026 visa lottery registration period begins on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
When does the registration period for the 2026 visa lottery close?
The registration period for the 2026 visa lottery closes on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
How many visas are granted through the visa lottery?
Currently, approximately 55,000 diversity immigrant visas are awarded through the visa lottery each year.
What is the waiting time for a participant to receive a diversity immigrant visa for FY 2026?
The results of the 2026 visa lottery will be posted on the Entrant Status Check system on the official Visa Lottery website starting on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
All diversity immigrant visas must be granted before the end of the year. September 30, 2026.
Therefore, the lottery winners have about 1 year, 4 months and 27 days to claim their diversity immigrant visa and legally immigrate to the United States.
Immigration consultation
Anyone who has questions about U.S. immigration law, including how to register for the 2026 visa lottery, should immediately seek advice from a licensed and experienced U.S. immigration attorney to determine their immigration legal options.
Avoid being victim of immigration fraud and never consult with notaries, immigration consultants, paper-fillers, multi-services and others. unlicensed persons to obtain immigration legal advice.
Nelson A. Castillo is an immigration attorney with more than 22 years of legal experience and author of La Tarjeta Verde: Cómo Obtener la Residencia Permanente en los Estados Unidos (Green Card: How to Obtain Permanent Residence in the United States). He is a former President of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Westlake South Neighborhood Council of Los Angeles.
To program a immigration consultation with Dr. Castillo, click on the link.
For more information and immigration tips, visit my website at Immigration Today.
Send your questions to preguntas@consultamigratoria.com. Include detailed information about your situation to better answer your questions.
The purpose of this column is to provide general information. There can be no guarantee or prediction as to what will be the outcome of the information presented by Dr. Nelson A. Castillo. The information should not be taken as legal advice for any individual, case or situation. This column may be considered an advertisement under the Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys in several states, including California and New York. Consult with an immigration attorney for personalized legal advice before beginning any immigration proceedings.
