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DV-2026 Diversity Visa Lottery — eligibility, ineligible countries, application

Diversity Visa Lottery DV-2026 eligibility by country of birth. Ineligible countries (19), Hispanic-origin status, registration period October 2 - November 7, 2024.

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

CountryDV-2026 eligible?Reason
Mexico❌ NOOver 50K immigrants in past 5 years
Guatemala✅ YESOn eligible list
El Salvador❌ NOOver 50K immigrants in past 5 years
Honduras❌ NOOver 50K immigrants in past 5 years
Cuba❌ NONewly ineligible for DV-2026
Colombia❌ NOOver 50K immigrants in past 5 years
Venezuela❌ NOOver 50K immigrants in past 5 years
Dominican Republic❌ NOOver 50K immigrants in past 5 years
Peru✅ YESOn eligible list
Ecuador✅ YESOn eligible list
Argentina✅ YESOn eligible list
Nicaragua✅ YESOn eligible list

How the DV program works

  1. Registration window (annual, usually October-November): Submit free online entry at dvprogram.state.gov
  2. Random selection: State Department randomly selects ~80,000-100,000 applicants from millions of valid entries
  3. Status check (starting following May): Selected entrants notified via dvprogram.state.gov (NOT email — beware scams)
  4. Visa application: Selected entrants file DS-260 (immigrant visa application) and proceed to consular interview at US embassy/consulate, OR adjust status if eligible
  5. 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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery?
The Diversity Visa Program (DV) is a US State Department-administered annual lottery that issues approximately 55,000 immigrant visas (green cards) to nationals of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. Created by the Immigration Act of 1990, the program aims to diversify the US immigrant population. Selection is random among eligible entrants; winning entitles you to APPLY for a visa (not guaranteed).
Can I apply for DV-2026 if I'm from Mexico, Honduras, or another listed-ineligible country?
No — natives of the 19 ineligible countries listed below cannot apply. However, you may qualify through your spouse’s country of birth (if eligible), or your parents’ country of birth IF you were born in an ineligible country only because your parents were temporary residents there. The eligibility rule looks at COUNTRY OF BIRTH, not current citizenship or residence.
When is the DV-2026 registration period?
DV-2026 registration: October 2, 2024 - November 7, 2024 (Eastern Time). This registration was for FY 2026 visas (October 2025 - September 2026). Submissions ONLY through the official site at dvprogram.state.gov — no third-party submission required and most paid ‘services’ are scams. Free to enter. Each person can submit only ONE entry; multiple entries disqualify.
How will I know if I won the DV-2026 lottery?
Check your status at dvprogram.state.gov using the confirmation number from your entry. Status checks begin May 2025 (for DV-2026). The State Department does NOT send winning notifications by email — anyone claiming you won via email is running a scam. If selected, you proceed to consular processing (DS-260) at a US embassy abroad or adjust status if eligible. About 80,000-100,000 are selected for ~55,000 visa slots.

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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.