DV-2026 Diversity Visa Lottery
The Diversity Visa (DV) Program issues approximately 55,000 immigrant visas per year via random lottery to nationals of countries with historically low US immigration. Created by the Immigration Act of 1990, the program is administered by the U.S. Department of State.
DV-2026 registration was: October 2, 2024 - November 7, 2024. This page covers the DV-2026 results (now in the visa-application phase) and serves as evergreen reference for the DV program eligibility rules.
DV-2026 ineligible countries (19)
Natives of the following countries are NOT eligible for DV-2026 because their countries sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the US in the previous 5-year period:
- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- Canada
- China (mainland + Hong Kong)
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Republic of Korea (South Korea)
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
Notes:
- Natives of Macau SAR and Taiwan ARE eligible.
- Cuba is newly INELIGIBLE for DV-2026 (was eligible in prior years).
- Reason: each of these countries had more than 50,000 natives immigrate to US in previous 5 years.
Hispanic-origin country eligibility for DV-2026
| Country | DV-2026 eligible? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | ❌ NO | Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years |
| Guatemala | ✅ YES | On eligible list |
| El Salvador | ❌ NO | Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years |
| Honduras | ❌ NO | Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years |
| Cuba | ❌ NO | Newly ineligible for DV-2026 |
| Colombia | ❌ NO | Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years |
| Venezuela | ❌ NO | Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years |
| Dominican Republic | ❌ NO | Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years |
| Peru | ✅ YES | On eligible list |
| Ecuador | ✅ YES | On eligible list |
| Argentina | ✅ YES | On eligible list |
| Nicaragua | ✅ YES | On eligible list |
How the DV program works
- Registration window (annual, usually October-November): Submit free online entry at dvprogram.state.gov
- Random selection: State Department randomly selects ~80,000-100,000 applicants from millions of valid entries
- Status check (starting following May): Selected entrants notified via dvprogram.state.gov (NOT email — beware scams)
- Visa application: Selected entrants file DS-260 (immigrant visa application) and proceed to consular interview at US embassy/consulate, OR adjust status if eligible
- Visa issuance: Issued based on rank order until ~55,000 cap reached. Many selected applicants do NOT receive visas due to cap.
DV eligibility requirements
To apply for the DV lottery, you must:
- Be a native of an eligible country (NOT citizen — birth-country rule)
- Meet education or work experience requirements: high school education (12 years of formal study) OR 2 years of work experience in last 5 years in an occupation requiring 2 years of training (per Department of Labor O*NET classification)
- Be inadmissible-free (no disqualifying immigration violations, certain criminal convictions, etc.)
Common DV scams to AVOID
- “Won the lottery” emails from anyone — State Department only notifies via dvprogram.state.gov status check
- Paid “DV submission” services — entry is FREE; only the dvprogram.state.gov site is official
- Demand for filing fees BEFORE selection — the only legitimate fee ($330 per applicant) is paid AT the embassy interview AFTER selection
- “Pre-approval” or “guaranteed visa” services — selection is random; no service can improve odds
Report DV scams to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-FTC-HELP. The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs publishes scam warnings at travel.state.gov.
Related procedural information
- USCIS Form I-485 — Adjustment of Status — if DV winner is already in US in valid status
- Visa Bulletin priority dates — DV cases process under their own annual cap
- Find an immigration attorney — for DV winners with complex cases
- BIA-recognized legal help by state — free representation
Last verified: 2026-05-27. Source: U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs DV Program. General procedural information — not legal advice. DV rules change annually; verify current eligibility at travel.state.gov before applying.
Recent fee, deadline, and contact context (2025-2026)
The Diversity Visa Program annually issues approximately 55,000 immigrant visas (plus 5,000 for NACARA, totaling 60,000 statutory cap under INA 201(e)). DV registration is FREE; the only fee is the $330 per applicant consular processing fee paid at the embassy interview AFTER selection. Some applicants also pay USCIS adjustment-of-status fees if processing inside the US.
For DV-2026 (program year FY 2026), the registration period was October 2, 2024 - November 7, 2024. Status checks began May 2025. Visa issuance runs through September 30, 2026. After that date, unused DV-2026 visas do NOT roll over — they’re lost.
For program-year DV-2027 registration (typical timing): expect registration window October-November 2025. Verify at travel.state.gov/dvlottery for current dates.
US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs: 1-202-485-7600 (main switchboard). Visa information for DV: 1-202-485-8222 (recorded line, business hours). DV scam reporting: FTC 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). USCIS Contact Center for DV adjustment of status questions: 1-800-375-5283 Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm Eastern Time.