Learn if you are eligible for the Diversity Visa Program

The program is also known as the DV Lottery and the Green Card Lottery. It makes a limited number of immigrant visas available every year to people meeting certain eligibility requirements. These include:

Each year, the U.S. Department of State puts out a list of eligible and ineligible countries. The list of countries may change each year. 

Learn more about your eligibility for the DV Lottery:

• To see the most recent eligible countries, see the list beginning on page 30 of the 2026 DV Lottery instructions.
• Find out about education and employment requirements for DV Lottery eligibility.

How to register for the Diversity Visa Lottery

The DV Lottery registration dates change each year. Registration for the 2026 DV Lottery runs from 12 noon ET on October 2, 2024 to 12 noon ET on November 5, 2024.

• Read the instructions for the registration process.
• Apply through the Electronic Diversity Visa Program online portal.

Keep your confirmation number in a safe place when you register for the lottery; you will need that number to check the status of your entry online. If you lose it, learn how you can recover your confirmation number.