Skip to content

DV Lottery 2026 Results: How to Check and What to Know?

The US DV Lottery 2026 Results have been released by the U.S. Department of State. Starting on 3 May 2025, visa applicants can check their status free of cost.

Furthermore, the candidates who have already applied for it till November 7, 2024, can now check their results online at the U.S. Department of State’s official website for the DV Lottery Program. This website can be accessed here https://dvprogram.state.gov/

Important Dates for DV-2026

EventDate & Time
Registration Period OpensOctober 2, 2024
Registration Period ClosesNovember 7, 2024 (12:00 PM EST)
DV Lottery Visa Result AnnouncementMay 3, 2025 (12:00 PM EDT)
Keep the Confirmation Number UntilSeptember 30, 2026
Source: dvprogram

What is the Diversity Visa Program?

The famous U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program offers a unique opportunity for individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States to obtain permanent residency. For the 2026 cycle, 55,000 immigrant visas are available through this program. The quota for each year remains almost the same.

Key Dates for DV-2026

The important dates for DV 2026 are:

  • Registration Period: October 2, 2024, to November 7, 2024, at 12:00 PM EST.
  • Results Announcement: May 3, 2025, at 12:00 PM EDT.
  • Visa Application Period for Selected Entrants: October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.

Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the DV-2026 Lottery, interested and eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Country of Birth: Applicants must be born in a country eligible for the DV program. Countries with high U.S. immigration rates over the past five years are excluded. For DV-2026, ineligible countries include Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland and Hong Kong), Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
  2. Education or Work Experience: Applicants must have either:
    • A high school education or its equivalent, or
    • Two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.

Application Procedure

The application procedure or breakdown is as follows:

  1. Online Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically through the official DV Lottery website during the registration period. Only one entry per person is allowed; multiple entries will result in disqualification.
  2. Confirmation Number: Upon successful submission, applicants receive a confirmation number. It’s crucial to save this number, as it is required to check the application status.
  3. Checking Results: Starting May 3, 2025, applicants can check their status using the Entrant Status Check tool on the DV Lottery website. The U.S. government does not send notifications; it’s the applicant’s responsibility to check their status.
  4. If Selected: Selected individuals must complete the DS-260 form, gather necessary documentation, and attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Approval is not guaranteed; applicants must meet all eligibility requirements.

Important Considerations

  • No Fees to Enter: The DV Lottery application is free. Be cautious of scams or services that charge fees for application assistance.
  • Family Inclusion: Applicants can include their spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age in their application.
  • Maintain Confirmation Number: The confirmation number is essential for checking application status and cannot be retrieved if lost.

Checking the Diversity Visa Lottery Program 2026 Results

To check the DV-2026 results:

  1. Visit the official DV Lottery Entrant Status Check page.
  2. Enter your confirmation number, last name, and year of birth.
  3. Follow the instructions to view your application status.

Remember, the U.S. government does not send email or mail notifications regarding selection.