The 2026 Diversity Visa program will be open to receive applications from October 2 to November 5 2024. The program allows people from countries with low US immigration rates, who meet eligibility requirements, to enter for a chance to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa.
The program which is commonly referred to as the DV Lottery or the Green Card Lottery awards up to 50,000 immigrant visas each year.
The law allows only one entry by or for each person during each registration period. Individuals with more than one primary entry per Diversity Visa season will be disqualified.
You can find the 2026 Diversity Visa program instructions at travel.state.gov/dv. Selections for the new applications will be made in May 2025.
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Some of the requirements of the Green Card Lottery that applicants will need to fulfil will include being a citizen of a country with a low immigration rate to the United States, and having graduated from high school or its equivalent or having qualifying work experience.
Applicants will also need to use a photo taken in the last six months. Using an old photo will disqualify your entry.
Remember to also list your spouse and all unmarried children under the age of 21 in your application, even if they will not be traveling or immigrating with you. Incorrect or missing information in your entry can mean disqualification – even after you are selected.
At the same time, the US Embassy reminds applicants that being selected does not guarantee you a visa interview or visa. In order to issue as many visas as possible, there will be more selectees than there are visas available.