Every year, roughly 1 million immigrants are awarded green cards that allow them to live and work in the U.S. as lawful permanent residents. There can be multiple paths to a green card, depending on your individual circumstances. Every year, for 50,000 people, roughly 5% of all green card recipients, that path is through a program called the “Diversity Visa Lottery.” Since 2005, more than 200 million people from countries around the world have applied for the program.

Since its inception, the Diversity Lottery program has also drawn undue criticism. The program’s opponents often falsely portray the program as an open door through which immigrants can enter the country without any screening or checks. Despite the intensive security and health screenings applicants go through, opponents make these arguments to advocate for the program’s cancellation. The registration period for the 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery is Oct. 2nd to Nov. 7th, 2024. Time is of the essence here, so let’s separate the facts from the fear-mongering. Here is what you need to know if you or a loved one is interested in obtaining a Diversity Visa/green card lottery.

 

What Is the Diversity Visa Lottery?

Officially known as the “Diversity Immigrant Visa Program,” the Diversity Visa Lottery was designed to increase immigration opportunities for individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. Each year, lottery winners (“selectees”) are drawn randomly from the pool of eligible applicants. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of State, which sets regional quotas every year based on how many immigrants from a region have come to the U.S. in recent years. These quotas and the countries from which selectees are drawn change over time, and no single country can receive more than 7% of available Diversity Visas in any given year.

 

Who Is Eligible to Enter Diversity Visa Lottery 2026?

The two main eligibility requirements for applying for a Diversity Visa are:

Eligible Country:

Generally, you must be from a country whose natives are eligible for the DV-2026 lottery period. Exceptions can be made for those who are from ineligible countries but whose spouses or parents are from eligible countries. For DV-2026, immigrants from the following countries are ineligible based on recent immigration patterns:

Bangladesh • Brazil • Canada • The People’s Republic of China (including mainland and Hong Kong-born) • Colombia • Cuba • Dominican Republic • El Salvador • Haiti • Honduras • India • Jamaica • Mexico • Nigeria • Pakistan • Philippines • Republic of Korea (South Korea) • Venezuela • Vietnam

Natives of Macau SAR and Taiwan are eligible

Education/Work Experience:

You must have either:

• A high school education or its equivalent;

• Two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring a minimum of two years of experience or training.

 

What Are the Chances of Obtaining a Diversity Visa?

The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery statistics from 2019 to 2021 reveal a significant number of entries globally, with millions of applicants each year. For instance, the total number of entries in 2021 alone was over 11.8 million, demonstrating intense competition. Notably, regions like Africa and Asia consistently had the highest number of entrants, with countries like Ghana, Egypt, and Uzbekistan submitting millions of applications yearly. Despite the vast number of participants, the actual chances of selection remain low due to the limited number of visas available, creating an exceedingly competitive environment for hopeful applicants. Based on the data, the statistical chance of winning the lottery ranges from 0.24% to 0.47% depending on the year, meaning fewer than 1 in every 200 to 400 applicants is selected.

 

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How to Apply for the Upcoming Diversity Visa Lottery

There is no cost to apply for a Diversity Visa. The application – Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form (E-DV Entry Form or DS-5501) – must be submitted online at dvlottery.state.gov. The Department of State does not accept incomplete applications, multiple applications, or applications by mail.

Follow the instructions carefully. If you have questions, consider attending a diversity lottery workshop. They are offered in many major cities. Alternatively, consider speaking with an experienced immigration attorney to ensure that you are eligible and that you submit a complete and accurate application.

Finally, make sure to keep a note of your application number so you can check your application when the time comes. The deadline to apply for the DV-20206 lottery period is noon Eastern Standard Time (11:00 a.m. Chicago time) on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. No late entries or papers will be accepted. Applicants will be able to check whether they were selected beginning in May 2025 through the Entrant Status Check on the E-DV website. Applicants will never be notified by email.

 

If I am selected for the lottery, will I get a green card?

The Department of State selects more applicants for the lottery than there are green cards available, so even after getting selected, you still need to wait to make sure your number comes up. If you are selected, it’s vital that you talk to an experienced attorney, as it can be time-sensitive, and there are many steps involved.

People often misunderstand the diversity visa lottery because while there is a relatively low barrier to applying for the lottery, there are strict requirements for obtaining a green card through the lottery. Diversity lottery opponents have used this misconception to create fear and unease with the program, falsely claiming that there “is no vetting system” for immigrants who obtain Diversity Visas. That is patently false. Selectees must undergo extensive and detailed background and security checks, interviews, and health screenings and pay a fee of $330 to be considered for a green card. After this intensive process, if a selectee is determined to be a security threat or otherwise ineligible, they will not obtain a green card.

 

We Can Help

Time is quickly running out to submit your green card lottery application. Please contact McEntee Law Group to schedule a flat-rate consultation to discuss your diversity lottery questions and assess any other potential options.   Ready to speak to one of our experienced attorneys? We can’t wait to hear from you!

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