JamesIf you want a direct path to live and work in the United States without a job offer or a family sponsor, the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery—often called the green card lottery—is the one program designed for you. For the DV-2026 cycle, the U.S. Department of State ran entries in late 2024, released results in May 2025, and will issue visas through September 30, 2026. This guide explains the rules, the timeline, and the practical steps you should take after selection.
The DV program is free to enter, selects applicants randomly by region, and offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas in the fiscal year. Selection is only the first step—you still need to qualify, submit forms, attend an interview, and finish all checks before the annual deadline.
Below you’ll find clear instructions, typical pitfalls that lead to refusals, and a simple checklist to keep you on track.
What is the DV Lottery (DV-2026)?
The DV program is a yearly draw run by the U.S. Department of State under section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It allocates up to 55,000 immigrant visas to people born in countries with historically low immigration to the U.S. There is no fee to submit an entry, and entries are accepted only online.
For DV-2026, the entry window ran October 2, 2024 (noon EDT) through November 7, 2024 (noon EST). Submitting more than one entry per person during that window disqualified all entries for that person.
Key dates for DV-2026
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Entry period: Oct 2, 2024 → Nov 7, 2024 (online only).
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Results released: From May 3, 2025; status checks remain open until at least Sept 30, 2026.
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Interview/issuance window: Through Sept 30, 2026 (the end of the U.S. fiscal year). Visas can run out earlier if numbers are used up.
Important: The U.S. government does not email or mail selection notices. The only place to see if you were selected is the Entrant Status Check (ESC) portal at dvprogram.state.gov using your confirmation number. Keep that number safe.
Basic eligibility (country + education/work)
You must meet two core requirements:
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Country of birth: You must be born in an eligible country (countries with high U.S. immigration in the last five years are not eligible; the list is published each year in the official instructions). Some people can “charge” to a spouse’s or parent’s country if their own is ineligible. Check the DV-2026 instructions for the exact list and examples.
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Education or work experience: Either a high-school education or equivalent, or two years of qualifying work experience within the last five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training/experience (based on the U.S. Department of Labor O*NET database).
How selection is announced
From May 3, 2025, you can log in to the Entrant Status Check (ESC) to see if you were selected. You’ll need your confirmation number, last/family name, and year of birth. If selected, ESC provides next steps, including form and interview guidance. The ESC stays open for DV-2026 through September 30, 2026.
The State Department warns against scams: no one legitimate will email you that you “won,” and no one can increase your chance of selection. You pay government fees only at the embassy/consulate if you proceed to the visa interview—not during entry.
After selection: the 5 steps you must complete
Step 1 — Read the official instructions carefully
Right after seeing “You have been selected,” read the DV-2026 plain-language instructions and FAQ to understand documents, photo standards, timelines, and common disqualifiers. Travel.gov
Step 2 — Submit the immigrant visa form (DS-260)
Complete the DS-260 online for yourself and all accompanying family members. Do this promptly; cases are scheduled in rank-number order, and delays can push you out of the fiscal-year window. The Department of State explicitly advises selected entrants to submit DS-260 early.
Step 3 — Gather supporting documents
You will bring original civil documents (birth/marriage/divorce certificates, police certificates, military records if applicable), valid passports, and required translations to the interview. Follow the official checklist.
Step 4 — Monitor ESC for your interview date
Interviews are scheduled at your chosen embassy/consulate and posted only in the ESC. Check frequently.
Step 5 — Attend the medical exam and interview
Complete the panel physician exam before the interview. At the interview, you’ll pay DV and immigrant visa fees at the embassy/consulate cashier in person. If approved, you’ll receive a visa to travel to the U.S. and then obtain your green card.
Fees and payments: what’s real and what’s a scam
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Entry fee: $0 (there is no fee to enter the lottery).
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Government fees: Paid in person at the embassy/consulate at interview time. Never pay a third party who claims to be “from the government.
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Consultants/agents: If you get help, you must be present when they complete the form, and you must keep the confirmation number. The State Department warns about agents withholding confirmation numbers to extort applicants later.
Photo and form rules that matter (lots of refusals happen here)
Photos
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Use a recent photo taken in the last 6 months.
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Square image, 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels, color, sRGB, JPEG, plain white or off-white background.
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No eyeglasses, no filters or digital alterations.
Form accuracy
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One entry per person. The system detects duplicates; duplicates lead to disqualification.
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List your spouse (unless legally separated) and all unmarried children under 21 at the time of entry—even if they do not plan to immigrate with you. Failure to list an eligible family member is a common reason for refusal.
Country eligibility and “chargeability”
Country eligibility is based on your country of birth, not citizenship. If your birth country is ineligible, you may still qualify by “charging” to your spouse’s or, in limited cases, a parent’s country—if that country is eligible. The specific ineligible/eligible lists are re-published each year; check the DV-2026 instruction page for the official list.
Your timeline: why speed matters after selection
The DV program ends each fiscal year on September 30. If your case is not fully processed and issued by then, your chance expires—even if you were selected. The Department of State also notes that visa numbers can be used up early in a given year. Do not wait to submit DS-260 or to respond to document requests.
Tip: Submit DS-260 promptly, keep your civil documents ready, monitor ESC often, and attend medical/biometrics as soon as you get instructions.
Common myths (and the facts)
“I will get an email if I win.”
No. The only way to know selection status is to check the ESC with your confirmation number.
“I can enter multiple times to improve my odds.”
No. Multiple entries in the same year = disqualification. A married couple may each submit one entry (listing the other as spouse).
“I can skip listing my spouse or a child who won’t travel.”
No. You must list your spouse (unless legally separated) and all unmarried children under 21 at entry. Missing dependents is a frequent reason for denial.
“I can fix my photo later.”
No. Photos must meet specs at entry. Bad photos can lead to ineligibility.
What to do if you lost your confirmation number
Use the confirmation number retrieval tool inside the ESC. Enter the email you used and your personal data to recover it. Embassies and the Kentucky Consular Center cannot retrieve it for you by email or phone.
If you are selected while inside the U.S.
You can usually adjust status with USCIS (Form I-485) when your DV category becomes current, instead of doing consular processing abroad. Make sure you follow exact timing rules and watch the Visa Bulletin. (Process details vary case-by-case; the government pages linked here explain the general steps after selection.
If you are not selected
Keep your confirmation number and re-check occasionally—State can notify additional selectees later to use all available visas. For DV-2026, keep checking ESC until September 30, 2026. If you are not selected by then, prepare for the next cycle (usually opens in October/November each year).
How to improve your odds (legally)
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Enter early during the entry window; avoid last-minute website traffic.
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Each eligible spouse submits a separate entry (doubling your household’s chances), and both must list all qualifying family members.
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Perfect your photo before submission (size, background, recency). Use the official guidance.
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Keep your own confirmation number—never let a third party hold it.
What could change next year (DV-2027)
As of August 2025, the State Department proposed adding a passport requirement (including uploading a passport scan) at the entry stage for future DV cycles. DV-2026 did not require a passport to enter, but this proposal—if finalized—would apply to later years. Watch the official DV page each September for the current rules.
Quick checklist for DV-2026 selectees
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Submit DS-260 for you and each accompanying family member.
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Prepare and translate civil documents; follow the official list.
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Check ESC often for interview notifications through Sept 30, 2026.
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Complete the medical exam with a panel physician before the interview.
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Pay government fees at the embassy/consulate on the interview day.
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Travel to the U.S. before your immigrant visa expires; receive your green card after entry. (Post-visa steps are provided in your packet.)
Final thoughts
The DV-2026 lottery is one of the simplest lawful paths to U.S. permanent residency. You do not need a U.S. job offer or a family sponsor. You do need to meet the education/work baseline, follow the photo and form rules, submit DS-260 quickly after selection, and complete your interview before Sept 30, 2026.
If you were selected, move fast, follow the official instructions linked here, and keep all communication through dvprogram.state.gov and your chosen U.S. embassy or consulate. If you were not selected, prepare for the next entry window—usually announced in early autumn.
The process is strict, but it is clear. If you stay organized and follow the rules, you can turn selection into a green card.
