By Raymond Rex Awiagah
Background
The United States Department of State has announced the opening of online registrations for the Fiscal Year 2026 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program.
It is offering 55,000 individuals from eligible countries the chance to secure permanent residency in the U.S. However, nationals from certain countries, including Nigeria, remain ineligible to participate in the program.
The registration period for the 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery will begin on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at noon Eastern Daylight Time (4pm Ghana time).
The DV lottery program for FY 2026 will offer up to 55,000 green card numbers through a random selection process. Lottery results will be announced in May 2025, and those selected can begin submitting their green card applications starting on October 1, 2025.
Eligibility criteria for 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery
The DV lottery is open to individuals born in countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
Nationals of countries with high U.S. immigration rates are not eligible. For FY 2026, those ineligible include individuals born in 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 remain eligible to participate.
Those unable to register due to their country of birth may still qualify through a spouse or, in certain cases, through a parent's country of birth. Additionally, all applicants must possess at least a high school education or two years of qualifying work experience within the last five years.
How to register for 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery
To participate, entrants must submit an online form and a digital photo through the official DV lottery website. Each applicant is allowed only one entry, and submitting multiple registrations will result in disqualification.
The process is free, and applicants can include their spouse and children in their entry.
Once the application is submitted, entrants will receive a confirmation number, which can be used to check their status when results are published in May 2025.
Selection process and notifications
Lottery winners are selected through a random computer draw. Results will be available on the official DV lottery website starting May 3, 2025, and will be accessible until at least September 30, 2026.
Applicants can check their status using their confirmation number on the DV website. The State Department does not notify winners via mail, e-mail, fax, or phone.
Avoiding fraud
The State Department warns of common scams related to the DV lottery and urges applicants to be cautious. The official DV lottery website is the only authorized platform for registration, and there is no government fee for entering the lottery. Foreign nationals should avoid deceptive websites, individuals, or companies claiming to charge fees or provide official registration services.
Additionally, the State Department does not send notifications via e-mail or fax and advises applicants to be skeptical of any communication claiming a lottery win without proper registration.
Conclusion
For more information and to register, applicants should visit the official U.S. Department of State DV lottery website.