The American Dream has long attracted people from around the world, promising opportunities for work and life in the U.S. One path to this dream is the Diversity Visa Lottery, officially known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery. This article will provide a detailed look at this unique program, outlining eligibility requirements, application procedures, and steps for winners.
The Diversity Visa Lottery Program
The Immigration Act of 1990 introduced the Diversity Visa (DV) program to increase the variety of immigrants in the U.S. It targets individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the U.S. and offers them a chance to win a green card through a lottery system, making it widely known as the ‘green card lottery.’
Which countries are excluded from the DV Lottery
For the DV-2026 Diversity Visa Lottery, the following countries are excluded from participation due to having more than 50,000 immigrants who obtained visas to the United States in the past five years:
- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- Canada
- China (including Hong Kong)
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Republic of Korea (South Korea)
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
It’s important to note that individuals born in Macau and Taiwan are still eligible to apply despite China’s general exclusio
Eligibility for the Visa Lottery
Allocation of Visa Slots
The diversity visa program holds fifty-five thousand green card spots annually for the diversity visa lottery. They are allocated geographically to diversify the countries of origin of the recipients, and no more than 7 percent of all green cards are issued to people of a particular region.
Lottery Eligibility Based on Country of Birth
The basic criteria of this selective system is the country of birth of the given person that can let him or her participate in the lottery. That said, there are certain conditions. It is vitally important to note that only eligible countries can qualify for the program. For example, the dv-2023 list excluded peolottery’s people who were born in countries such as Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, and Columbia among others. However, immigration eligibility can shift from year to year based on immigration trends that are witnessed in the country.
If you are from an ineligible country, there are two potential pathways to becoming eligible:
Spouse’s Country: If the applicant’s spouse was born in a state, that is considered eligible, the applicant will be able to claim the country of his or her spouse’s birth for lotteries. This must be your spouse, whom you additionally must be eligible and your spouse must agree to accompany you to the U. S., obtain a visa to do so (a “DV-2” visa), and be able to enter the U.S.
Parent’s Native Country: In case you never had any of your parents from your native country at the time of your birth, or in case either or both of your parents were not born in the country of your birth, then you can be considered a native of one or the other country of birth of your parents.
Educational and Work Requirements
In addition to meeting the country of birth criteria, lottery applicants must fulfill one of the following requirements:
Have a minimum of satisfactory education attainment of secondary level education or equivalent, generally defined as 12 years of education.
You should have a minimum of two years of work experience whether part-time or full time rendered within the past five years in a position that ordinarily requires a minimum of two years of training or experience.
One should not underestimate one crucial fact – it is not obligatory to have a job offer from the United States. However, the winners must fulfill certain key requirements that is they have to prove that they are capable of supporting themselves financially once they get to the United States.
How to Apply (Register) for the Visa Lottery
You can apply for the Diversity Visa Lottery in the year it’s open for registration if you qualify. Remember, each person can only submit one entry per year. If the competition allows multiple entries in exceptional cases, those participants will be disqualified.
The application is completed online following a link to the official United States State Department website. In the course of applying, candidates must submit photographs on digital form of themselves and any dependant as may be a spouse or children. However, it should be noted that participating in the Diversity Visa Lottery selection does not require any fee on the First Registration. Do not fall for such sites or consultants telling you differently especially those that do not follow the aforementioned proximities.
Registrations from one year do not carry over to the next, so if you are not selected, you must reapply in the following year.
Upon completing the entry, applicants receive a confirmation number, which is essential for checking the lottery results. The State Department’s website is the only official source for lottery results. For instance, DV-2024 lottery results can be checked starting on May 6, 2023, until September 30, 2024.
What Happens If You ‘Win’ the Visa Lottery
Winning the Diversity Visa Lottery is undoubtedly an exciting moment, but it’s essential to understand that it doesn’t guarantee immediate green card status. Several crucial steps lie ahead:
Verification of Eligibility:
First, you must verify your eligibility and ensure you are not otherwise “inadmissible” to the United States. This includes checks for criminal history, security risks, and certain medical conditions. Additionally, you must demonstrate that you won’t become a “public charge” by proving your financial self-sufficiency.
Application Completion:
After verification, you need to fill out application forms, gather required documents, and complete additional steps. The specific procedures can vary depending on whether you are inside or outside the United States.
Scheduling an Interview:
If you are outside the U.S., the nearest U.S. consulate will guide you on scheduling an interview. If you are already in the U.S., the process involves filing for an adjustment of status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Timely Follow-Up:
Timing is crucial, as the U.S. government typically selects more winners than there are green cards available. Delay in any part of the process could result in losing your chance.
Consulting an Immigration Attorney:
Given the complexities and potential challenges in the application process, it is highly advisable to consult an experienced immigration attorney to guide you through the remaining steps.
How can I check if my country is eligible for the DV Lottery
To check if your country is eligible for the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery (DV Lottery), follow these steps:
Visit Official Sources:
The U.S. Department of State publishes an updated list of eligible and ineligible countries each year. You can find this information in the DV Lottery instructions, which are available on their official website.
Consult the Latest Instructions:
For the 2026 DV Lottery, you can refer to the instructions that typically begin on page 30, outlining which countries qualify and which do not. This document is released annually and reflects changes based on immigration data from the previous five years24.
Watch Informative Videos:
There are various resources, including YouTube videos, that break down eligibility by region and provide insights into which countries are included or excluded from the DV Lottery1.
Eligibility Criteria:
Generally, to be eligible, you must be a native of a country with low immigration rates to the U.S., meaning your country should not have sent more than 50,000 immigrants in the last five years. Some common ineligible countries include China, India, Brazil, and Mexico5.
Check for Updates:
Since eligibility can change from year to year, it’s essential to stay informed about any updates regarding your country’s status before applying.
The Diversity Visa Lottery provides a special chance for people wanting to move to the United States. It highlights America’s dedication to diversity and gives individuals from less represented countries a shot at achieving the American dream. Winning is only the beginning, but it leads to a future full of potential and opportunities in the land of opportunity.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to the United States straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for an Immigrant Visas or Diversity Immigrant Visa, we handle every step—from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our Immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process, coordinating with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas has a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need to visit the United States. Call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can assist you.
