The United States of America’s State Department website for the 2026 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2026) is now open.
The entry submission period for DV-2026 will be open from October 2, 2024 to 12:00PM EST (GMT -5) on November 5, 2024. The entry form will only be available for submission during this period and this period only.
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. Your photo should be 2 inches by 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) with the head centered and sized between 1 inch and 1.4 inches (25 and 35 mm).
Take your photo in front of a white or off-white background instead of cropping out the background. A photo in which the background is cropped using a photo retouching tool, changing the outline of the head, face, and neck. Do not change the shape of your face or head in order to appear thinner.
Before beginning the entry process, verify that your picture and pictures for any dependents fully comply with DV entry photo requirements included in the DV-2026 instructions. Your case will be disqualified if you submit a non-compliant photo. For examples of acceptable photos, click here.
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.
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You will see a confirmation screen containing your name and a unique confirmation number after you submit a complete entry. Print this confirmation screen for your records. It is extremely important that you retain your confirmation number. You will need your unique confirmation number to  check the status of your entry, and you will need it to get further instructions or schedule an interview for a visa if you are selected.
At the same time, the US Embassy reminds applicants that being selected for DV-2026 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.
