The United States Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, widely described as the Green Card Lottery, is currently approving requests for the DV-2026 Cycle. People can submit their requests from 2 October 2025 until 5 November 2025.
MEANING OF THE US DIVERSITY VISA PROGRAM
The Diversity Visa Program is a yearly initiative that provides about 55,000 visas to individuals from nations with iconic reduced immigration percentages to the US.
It offers qualified persons the prospect of applying for permanent residency via a random lottery system. For Fiscal Year 2026, 55,000 diversity visas will be allocated.
MAJOR QUALIFICATION AND ENTRY CONDITIONS
- Dates for application: 2nd October, 2025 to 5th November, 2025.
- No fee for application: There is no expense to go into the lottery. Hence, selectees are required to reimburse a visa application fee if they are selected for an interview.
The scheme is limited to people from nations with reduced immigration to the US, including Bangladesh, China, Brazil, India, Canada, Mexico, and Nigeria. Nigeria is not qualified because of the increased relocation percentage over the last five years.
Below is the full list of nations qualified for the US DV program:
- Vietnam
- Bangladesh
- Venezuela
- Brazil
- Republic of Korea
- Canada
- Philippines
- Colombia
- Pakistan
- Dominican Republic
- Nigeria
- El Salvador
- Mexico
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Honduras
- India
HOW TO MAKE AN APPLICATION
The application procedure is entirely online at dvprogram.state.gov. The request window is short, so take advantage of your opportunity. Check your calendars. Applications are available from 2 October 2025 to 5 November 2025. There is no request charge; however, chosen candidates will be required to reimburse a visa request fee later in the process.
ESSENTIAL HINTS FOR CANDIDATES
- One entry: Only one candidate is authorized for each enrollment duration. Multiple entries will lead to disqualification.
- Verification number: Candidates are required to maintain their special verification number and have a printout of the verification screen. This is important for reviewing the status of their entry.
- Qualification: The candidates selected are required to satisfy certain qualification conditions, which involve education or employment skill certification.
HOW THE PICKING PROCESS FUNCTIONS
The Department of State performs a computerized random drawing to pick people for the diversity visa. Candidates are chosen from six geographic areas, and each nation can get at most 7 percent of the total visas in any year.
WHAT OCCURS AFTER SELECTION
Being picked in the lottery does not assure a visa. Selected people, described as selectees, are still required to merit an interview and satisfy all United States lawful conditions to get a visa. A consular official will specify conclusive qualifications at the time of the interview procedure.
For past candidates, Diversity Visa 2025 entrants have until 30 September 2025 to review their request status. The Department of State recommends that DV-2025 selectees keep their verification numbers secured until 30 September 2025.
In conclusion, the United States Diversity Immigrant Visa Program provides special prospects for people from underrepresented nations to seek permanent residency in the United States. Make sure you satisfy the qualification measure and present your request by November 5, 2024.
