Millions of foreigners are eager to join the diversity visa (DV) lottery every year. It is one of the common ways to obtain a US Green card and become a US permanent resident. All candidates have to submit an entry during a fixed time and the entry period for DV-Lottery 2026 has started on 2nd October, 2024. Next is an ultimate guide on green card lottery application.
What Is Diversity Immigrant Visa?
The diversity immigrant visa program is an immigration program that selects potential immigrants randomly. It is designed for citizens of countries with low immigration rates to the US. Those who are selected in the lottery will be able to apply for a US green card, also known as a permanent resident card. However, it is necessary to note not all selectees will be granted permanent residency as only up to 55,000 applications will be approved.
When Can I Apply for DV Lottery 2026?
The DV lottery 2026 registration start date falls the noon of October 2, 2024 (EDT) and the end date is noon of November 5, 2024 (EST). Late registration will not be acceptable, so it is advised not to submit the entry close to or until the green card lottery deadline. The lottery result will be announced on May 3, 2025. You must submit a visa application as soon as possible after being selected.
Key Timeline of DV Lottery 2026
It is a long journey to obtain permanent residency through a diversity immigrant visa lottery. The main procedures and timeline for the fiscal year 2026 are listed below.
Green Card Lottery Application
It starts on October 2, 2024, and ends on November 5, 2024. Eligible individuals only need to submit an entry form as well as a digital photo online.
Selection of Applicants
Applicants will be picked randomly by computer. The number of selectees ranges from region to region and they will not exceed 7% of the total visas in each country or territory. The result of DV lottery 2026 is estimated to be announced on 3 May 2025. You are supposed to keep track of your case status on Entrant Status Check.
Immigration Visa Application
Winners will receive instructions on when and how to apply for a visa. After confirming the qualification for a visa, individuals should file DS-260 (outside the US) or Form-485 (already inside the US) between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026. It is suggested to apply as early as you can so as to be scheduled for an interview soon and be more likely to receive a visa.
Applicant Interview
Applicants outside the US usually have to have an interview at the local US consular office. After receiving your DS-260 application, the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) will send an email to inform you of the time and location of the interview. You have to attend the appointment with the required information and documents.
Visa Application Result Check
The consular officer will tell you whether you will get a visa after the interview. Suppose you are in the US and request to adjust your status through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In that case, the authority will send you a notice to inform you of application approval after 6 to 9 months.
Who Is Eligible for DV Lottery 2026?
To be qualified for a diversity immigrant visa lottery, applicants must satisfy requirements on citizenship and education or work experience. Once you are qualified, you can bring your spouse or unmarried children to live with you in the US and they don’t need to meet the following eligibilities.
- Be a citizen of a country with historically low immigration rates to the US.
- Have a high school education. It refers to a formal elementary and secondary education equivalent to a 12-year education in the US, but holders of General Educational Development (GED) certificates are not eligible. OR
- Have at least 2 years of experience in the last 5 years in a qualified occupation categorized in Job Zone 4 or 5 with a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) rating of at least 7.0.
Who Is Not Eligible for DV Lottery 2026?
Individuals will be disqualified in one of the following conditions.
- The applicant comes from countries and regions with more than 50,000 natives immigrating to the US.
- The applicant is not born in or charged to the eligible country.
- The applicant hasn’t finished a complete formal elementary and secondary education or does not have related work experience.
- The passport was expired or damaged unless marked as statelessness or other special circumstances.
- Criminal records or violations of the previous US visas are found related to the applicant.
- The applicant is subject to entry restrictions or has been expelled from the US.
How to Check Whether Your Work Experience Is Qualifying
ONet Online, the official database of the U.S. Department of Labor, provides details of job features. You can check the qualification of your occupation through the following steps.
- Visit the ONet Online Database and click on “Job Family” under “Find Occupations”.
- Choose your occupation from the drop-down list and click on the “Browse” button.
- Click on your specific occupation and check the job zone it belongs and the SVP ratings. You can apply for a diversity visa when you have been working in an occupation designated as Job Zone 4 or 5 and the SVP is rated 7.0 or higher for at least 2 years. For example, the “Aerospace Engineers” under the industry, Architecture, and Engineering, are qualified.
What Countries Are Eligible for DV Lottery 2026
Countries eligible for the DV lottery must not have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the US in the last 5 years, including dependent areas overseas under its governance. However, some regions of an ineligible country might also be qualified, for example, Macau, Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, but China mainland and Hong Kong SAR are not. The list is updated every year. The detailed list of DV lottery 2026 eligible countries is listed below:
Eligible Countries in Africa:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cabo Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros
- Congo
- Congo, Democratic Republic of the 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
💡Note: In Africa, natives of Nigeria are not eligible for this year’s Diversity Visa program.
Eligible Countries in 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
Eligible Countries in Europe:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark (including components and dependent areas overseas)
- Estonia
- Finland
- France (including components and dependent areas overseas)
- Georgia
- Germany
- Great Britain (United Kingdom) (including components and dependent areas overseas)
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau Special Administrative Region**
- North Macedonia
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands (including components and dependent areas overseas)
- Northern Ireland***
- Norway (including components and dependent areas overseas)
- Poland
- Portugal (including components and dependent areas overseas)
- Romania
- Russia****
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican City
What Documents Are Required for Green Card Lottery 2026 Application
Once you confirm your qualification, you can submit an entry for the lottery. All you need is a computer with Internet access and a digital green card lottery photo. The photo must comply with the official US visa photo requirements. It is free of charge to register for the program. Therefore, please be careful not to be cheated by any consultant or agent who asks you for identity documents or claims to help you win the lottery.
How to Submit a DV Lottery 2026 Application
Eligible applicants must submit a green card lottery application by filling out an electronic entry form on the Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) website. Click on “Begin Entry” in the “Entry Form” section, enter the authentication code, and you will see the form. The form requires the following information and here are the tips for completing it.
- Last/family name, first name, and middle name. They must be the same as that on your passport. If there is only one name on your passport, please enter it in the “last/family name” field and check the box next to “No First Name“ and “Middle Name”.
- Gender. Choose “Male” or “Female”.
- Birth Date.
- Birth City. Do not enter a district, county, province, or state.
- Birth Country. Choose it from the drop-down list.
- Country of eligibility. You can claim eligibility based on your derivative spouse’s, parent’s, or country of birth or not.
- Entrant photograph. You can take a new picture or upload a scanned copy of a recent photo. We will talk about how to make a qualified DV photo photo later.
- Mailing Address.
- Country Where You Live Today. Choose it from the drop-down list.
- Phone Number (optional).
- Email address. Make sure it is accurate and authentic as the authority will send you a follow-up email for an appointment schedule or other necessary notice.
- Highest level of education as of the time of application.
- Current marital status.
- Number of Children, including biological children, legally adopted children and unmarried stepchildren under 21.
How to Make DV Lottery Photos at Home
If your diversity visa lottery photo is unqualified, you will not be able to submit the entry form. The good news is that you can make a perfect photo at home through our instructions.
Learn DV Lottery Photo Requirements
A clear 2 x 2 inches photo with a plain white background is required. The photo must present your current appearance, preferably taken in the last 6 months. Make sure the full face is visible, so glasses and facial coverings are not allowed. You must show a neutral facial with both eyes open and mouth closed. As for what you should wear, it must be daily-worn clothes in dark colors with medium neckline. Remove all shiny accessories to avoid reflections or shadows on the face before taking a picture.
Take Visa Pictures with a Cellphone
A cell phone with a resolution of at least a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (ppi) is enough to take clear pictures. Hold your body and stand about 1.2-1.5 meters away from the camera. Do not tilt your head or look sideways. It is recommended to take more than shots at each try.
Use DV Lottery Photo Checker
AiPassportPhotos is an AI-supported online DV lottery photo checker. It will automatically check photo compliance and adjust photo size and background after receiving an image.
Moreover, it also reminds users of the common mistakes when taking DV lottery photos. All you need is to visit this online DV lottery photo checker, upload a photo, and get a qualified DV lottery photo in a few seconds.
Download the digital photo
The post-editing result is promised to completely meet the official requirements, so you don’t need to worry about photo acceptance. Just download a digital template on the preview page and submit it on DV lottery website.
How Much Does DV Lottery 2026 Cost
No fee is charged at the entry period, but you have to pay to apply for a visa after winning the lottery. If you are outside the US, the visa application fee will be $330 and should be paid to the cashier at the U.S. embassy or consulate. If you are already in the US on an immigration visa, you should pay $1,440 for status adjustment to the USCIS. There might be extra fees according to where you apply and the services you choose, so please contact the local visa office for exact information.
When to Check DV Lottery 2026 Results
The authority will not inform you of whether you are selected or not by email, phone, or any other offline methods, so you have to check DV lottery results on the E-DV website by yourself and learn about what to do after DV lottery result is announced. The results of the lottery will be available from May 3, 2025, to September 30, 2026. The confirmation number that is issued after submitting an entry will be asked for at the lottery result check.
Bonus Tips for a Successful DV Lottery Application
Winning the diversity visa lottery seems like a matter of good luck. However, following up on some essential tips will prevent you from being rejected or disqualified. Here are some examples.
- Fill out the entry form honestly. Double-check the information you have provided before submitting in case of missing any required fields or making mistakes.
- Provide a qualified recent visa photo. The file size should be in JPEG format and less than 240 KB.
- Submit early applications at each stage and keep updated on the case status.
- dvprogram.state.gov is the exclusive authorized portal to enter the DV lottery. Trust the website with a “.gov” domain to avoid any scams.
- Make sure to submit only one entry for each person at each season. Do not submit extra entries for the same person after receiving a confirmation notice.
- Provide exact information about your spouse and unmarried children under 21, whether they will immigrate with you or not.
- Keep your confirmation number well after submission. The number is unique and used to check the DV lottery results.
- Check whether you are selected on the E-DV website. Do not trust any letter or email notice that claims to be official.
Benefits of the US Diversity Visa Program
America is a country of immigrants. As its name suggests, the diversity visa program aims to invite people from different cultures to maintain the diversity of the country. Thousands of participants can benefit a lot from the program for the following reasons.
✅ The requirements are more relaxed than other pathways to US permanent residency.
✅ Candidates to apply for the visa are randomly selected, so all entrants enjoy equal opportunity to win.
✅ Individuals who successfully receive a green card lottery can live permanently, work, and study in the US.
✅ Diversity visa holders might be eligible to apply for US citizenship after staying in the country for some years and enjoying all US rights and privileges.
Common Questions and Myths of US Diversity Visa Lottery
📌Does hiring an agent increase my chances of being selected?
No. The lottery result is only decided by the computer.
📌Can I submit multiple entries to increase my chances?
No, you might be disqualified if you submit multiple entries.
📌What happens if I make a mistake on my application?
You will fail in the consular process if you submit it successfully and are selected in the lottery.
📌Can I apply if I was not born in an eligible country?
Yes, if your spouse or parent(s) are born in an eligible country.
📌Can I still apply for the lottery if I am living in the U.S.?
Yes, and you should request a status adjustment after being selected.
📌What is the best time to apply for the DV lottery?
Early registration is recommended after the entry period starts.
📌What is the age limit for the DV lottery?
There is no age limit as long as you satisfy the requirements for education or work experience.
📌How many times can I apply for a DV lottery?
Only once at each season, but you can re-apply the next year if you are not selected.
📌Is the DV lottery and the H1-B lottery the same?
No. Although they both have a cap on the number of visas issued, they are designed for different people and have different requirements. The DV lottery is designed for natives of regions with low immigration rates while the H-1B lottery is for foreign employees with advanced U.S. degrees and international talent in specialty occupations.
📌When are the results for the DV lottery 2026 announced?
It is estimated on 3 May 2025. Still, we recommend you to check the latest news on the official website.
Conclusion
After reading this passage, you must have been clear about what is DV lottery. The green card lottery is one of the easiest ways to become a permanent resident in the US. The DV lottery 2026 has begun. It is necessary to learn about the requirements and procedures of the program in advance. If you are eligible for the program, you can submit an entry online as early as possible. We hope to help you obtain the diversity visa at the end.
Dolores Xiao