By Raymond Rex Awiagah
Background
The U.S. Department of State has announced that online registrations for the Fiscal Year 2026 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program will begin on October 2, 2024.
The program, which offers 55,000 individuals from eligible countries the chance to obtain permanent residency in the United States, is expected to include nationals from Ghana among those eligible to participate.
The Diversity Visa Lottery, often referred to as the Green Card Lottery, aims to diversify the U.S. immigrant population by selecting individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the U.S. In past years, Ghana has been part of the eligible nations, and it is likely that Ghanaians will once again be able to apply for the coveted opportunity.
Applicants must submit their entries electronically through the official DV Lottery website and meet specific eligibility requirements, including educational or work experience qualifications. Successful applicants will be randomly selected and notified in May 2025, after which they will undergo further procedures to qualify for their visas.
While certain countries with high immigration rates to the U.S., such as Nigeria, remain ineligible, Ghana’s inclusion offers its citizens a chance to pursue the American Dream through the Diversity Visa program.
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 for for 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery
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.
For more information and to register, applicants should visit the official U.S. Department of State DV lottery website.