Registration for the US Department of State Diversity Visa (DV) Program 2026 is now open (October 2, 2024) and will run until November 5, 2024.
The dvprogram.state.gov is the only way to enter, according to the United States Department of State.
The law allows only one entry by or for each person during each registration period.
According to the announcement, the Department of State uses advanced technology to detect multiple entries.
Individuals with more than one primary entry per Diversity Visa season will be disqualified. The program instructions can be found at travel.state.gov/dv.
This program allows people from countries, including Nepal, with low U.S. immigration rates, who meet eligibility requirements, to enter for a chance to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa.
The program, commonly referred to as the DV Lottery or the Green Card Lottery, awards up to 50,000 immigrant visas each year to people meeting certain eligibility requirements.
These include: Being a citizen of a country with a low immigration rate to the United States, and having graduated from high school or its equivalent or having qualifying work experience.
According to the announcement, there is no cost to register for the DV Program.
It said those interested in registering are “strongly encouraged” to complete the entry form themselves without a “visa consultant,” “visa agent,” or other facilitator who offers to help.
Selections will be made in May 2025.
The website dvprogram.state.gov/ESC is the ONLY way to see if a person is selected.
What is a diversity visa?
The Department of State administers the Diversity Visa (DV) immigrant visa program, which is an annual program for immigration to the United States. Up to 55,000 immigrants can enter the United States each year from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
How do I apply?
Applying is a multi-step process with strict deadlines. You should read about the entire process on the Diversity Visa Program webpage before you start the free, online application. The DV-2026 Program Instructions explains in detail who is eligible and how to complete the first step of applying for the program.
Important Notices
Diversity Visa 2025 Applicants: All DV-2025 diversity visa program applicants must be found eligible for, and obtain, their visa or adjust status by the end of fiscal year 2024 (September 30, 2024).
Beware of fraud and scams. Some websites and emails attempt to mislead customers, posing as providers of official U.S. government information. Read our Fraud Warning.
Complete your own application. The online entry application is easy and free.
The processing requirements below are for the DV-2026 program.
DV-2026 Program: Online Registration
DV-2026 Program: The online registration period for the DV-2026 Program begins on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4) and concludes on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5). Submission of more than one entry for a person during the registration period will disqualify all entries for that person.
DV-2026 Program Instructions
The English version of the DV-2026 Program Instructions in PDF format is the only official version. Unofficial translations in additional languages will be added to this webpage as they become available.
Note: As indicated in the instructions, for the purposes of eligibility some countries include components and dependent areas overseas. If you are a native of a dependency or overseas territory, please select the appropriate country of eligibility. For example, natives of Macau S.A.R should select Portugal, and natives of Martinique should select France.
Diversity Visa Program Information
See the Diversity Visa Program webpage for information about: