The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has announced the registration period for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery 2026. The online application process will begin at 12:00 noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, and will close at 12:00 noon Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Applicants should be mindful of the fact that submitting more than one entry during the registration period will result in automatic disqualification. To avoid being disqualified, ensure that only one application is submitted per person.
In its official INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE 2026 DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM (DV-2026), the U.S. Department of State warns: “Do not wait until the last week of the registration period to enter, as heavy demand may result in website delays. No late entries or paper entries will be accepted. The law allows only one entry per person during each entry period. The Department of State uses sophisticated technology to detect multiple entries. Submission of more than one entry for a person will disqualify all entries for that person.”
The official DV-2026 Program instructions are available in English , with unofficial translations in other languages to be added to the website. Applicants are advised to rely on the English version to ensure they are following the most accurate and up-to-date guidelines. This year, Cuba has been made ineligible for the DV lottery, but other eligibility rules remain unchanged from previous years.
To participate in the DV program, applicants must have completed a high school education (equivalent to 12th grade) or possess the required work experience . Submitting false educational credentials can result in disqualification and may lead to a permanent ban from entering the United States. Therefore, providing truthful information throughout the application process is essential.
Accurate personal details, such as full name, date of birth, place of birth, address, and contact information, must be provided, along with a recent photograph taken within the last six months . Reusing old photos from previous DV entries or visa applications can result in automatic disqualification. Many applicants mistakenly submit old photos, which is strictly prohibited and can jeopardize their chances.
The Department of State advises, “Recent photographs (taken within the last six months) of yourself, your spouse, and all derivative children included in your entry are required. You do not need to include a photograph of a spouse or child who is already a U.S. citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident, but you will not be penalized if you do.”
Married individuals and those with children must include their family members’ information in their applications. A common misconception is that declaring oneself single increases the chances of being selected, but this is false. Failing to disclose the correct marital status or family details can lead to significant problems during the visa process, including potential rejections. To avoid complications, applicants should provide complete and accurate information.
The Department of State warns, “Failure to list your eligible spouse, or listing someone who is not your spouse, may render you ineligible as the DV principal applicant, and your spouse and children ineligible as DV derivative applicants. You must list your spouse even if you are currently separated from them, unless you are legally separated. Legal separation is an arrangement where a couple remains married but lives apart, following a court order. If you and your spouse are legally separated, your spouse will not be able to immigrate with you through the DV program. You will not be penalized if you choose to enter the name of a spouse from whom you are legally separated. If you are not legally separated by a court order, you must include your spouse, even if you plan to divorce before applying for the Diversity Visa, or if your spouse does not intend to immigrate.”
The Department of State further warns, “Failure to list an eligible child may make you ineligible for a DV, in which case your spouse and children will also be ineligible as Diversity Visa derivative applicants.”
Applicants are urged to apply only through the official U.S. government website. Using third-party websites or organizations to fill out the application may expose applicants to fraud, including the theft of personal information or financial loss.
The U.S. Department of State strongly encourages you to complete the entry form yourself, without the assistance of a “visa consultant,” “visa agent,” or any other person offering to help. The Department of State advises, “If someone helps you, you should be present when your entry is prepared so that you can provide the correct answers to the questions and keep your unique confirmation number and a printout of your confirmation screen. It is extremely important that you have the printout of your confirmation page and unique confirmation number. Unscrupulous visa facilitators have been known to assist entrants with their entries, keep the confirmation page printout, and then demand more money or illegal activities in exchange for the confirmation number. Without this information, you will not be able to access the online system that informs you of your entry status. Be wary if someone offers to keep this information for you. You should also have access to the email account listed in your E-DV entry.”
The results of the DV-2026 lottery will be announced on May 3, 2025 , and winners will have until September 30, 2026, to claim their visas. Applicants from previous DV lotteries are also eligible to apply this year, and a passport is no longer required for registration.
The DV Lottery is part of the U.S. Department of State’s annually administered Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, created under Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This program is designed to promote immigration from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
For Fiscal Year 2026, up to 55,000 Diversity Visas (DVs) will be available. There is no cost to register for the program, but selectees—those chosen in the lottery—who are scheduled for an interview will be required to pay a visa application fee before making their formal visa application. During this process, a consular officer will determine if the applicant qualifies for the visa.
The post U.S. State Department Announces DV Lottery Registration: 55,000 Green Cards Up for Grabs from October 2 to November 5 appeared first on NEPYORK .
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