2026 DV Lottery - Get ready to apply!
What is the DV-Lottery program?
The DV-Lottery (Diversity Visa Lottery) is an immigration program run by the United States Government which makes 55,000 immigrant visas available each fiscal year to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
Who can apply for the DV-lottery?
The program is open to persons born in countries with low rates of immigration to the US. A list of eligible countries can be found in the Department of State's DV Instructions and is updated each year.
When does the DV-lottery open?
The annual DV-lottery runs from early October through early November. The 2026 DV-lottery will open on October 4th and close on November 7th.
How can I apply for the DV-lottery?
Applicants must submit an application form online, you cannot do it by mail.
The form can be found on the Department of State's website. Each applicant may only submit one application per year.
What are the DV-lottery requirements?
- Applicants must have at least a high school education or its equivalent.
- Applicants must be from a country with a low rate of immigration to the US.
- Applicants must meet one of the following job skills from the Department of Labor's O*NET Online database. (Exceptions apply for those with higher education.)
- The application must be submitted online during the registration period.
What happens after you apply for the DV-Lottery?
If you're selected as a potential DV immigrant, you will be notified by the Kentucky Consular Center by mail between May and July. You can also check the status of your entry by logging into the DV Entrant Status Check at dvlottery.state.gov.
What are the chances of winning the DV Lottery?
The DV-Lottery is a random selection process, the number of applicants varies each year. In the 2023 DV-Lottery, over 14 million applications were received. The chances of winning vary depending on the number of applicants from your country.
How do I know if I won the DV-Lottery?
If you're selected as a potential DV immigrant, you will receive a letter in the mail from the Kentucky Consular Center. You can also check the status of your entry by logging into the DV Entrant Status Check at dvlottery.state.gov.
What are the next steps if I win the DV-Lottery?
If you're selected for an interview, you will be notified by the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. The interview will take place between October and September of the following fiscal year. If you are approved for a visa, you will be able to immigrate to the United States.
Additional DV-Lottery Resources
For more information about the DV-Lottery program, please visit the following resources:
1. [Department of State's DV website](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry.html)
2. [DV Instructions](https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Diversity-Visa/DV-Instructions-Translations/DV-2026-Instructions-Translations/DV-2026%20Instructions%20English.pdf)
3. [DV Entrant Status Check](https://dvlottery.state.gov/)
