Eligibility Requirements

Country of Birth:

To be eligible for the DV lottery, you must have been born in a country that sent less than 50,000 immigrants to the United States over the past five years. There is some yearly variation in the eligible countries. Still, Canada, China, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom never make the list because these countries all send many immigrants to the United States. For 2026, exclusions include:

• Bangladesh
• Brazil
• Canada
• China (including Hong Kong SAR)
• Colombia
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Haiti
• Honduras
• India
• Jamaica
• Mexico
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• South Korea
• Venezuela
• Vietnam

For more information, the State Department provides a list of all eligible countries.

Education or Work Experience:

To qualify for the DV lottery program, you must have either:

• A high school education or equivalent, OR
• Two years of work experience within the past five years in a qualifying occupation.

For more information, the State Department provides a list of all eligible countries.

If your native country is not eligible, there are still two ways you could qualify for the Diversity Visa:

• If your spouse was born in an eligible country, you can apply with your spouse and choose your spouse’s birth country on your application.
• If neither of your parents were legal residents in your own country of birth, you can choose your mother or father’s country of birth.

Education

The second primary requirement for Diversity Visa applicants is that you must have at least a high school degree or at least two years of work experience within the past five years in a profession that requires at least two years of training, as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor.

How to Apply For the Diversity Visa Lottery

Entering the green card lottery involves filling out a simple form online, which doesn’t cost anything. You can enter the lottery every year from early October through early November. A computer randomly selects the winners, and they and their immediate families will be eligible to apply for a green card.

1. Check Eligibility: Make sure your country of birth is on the list of eligible countries. You’ll also need a high school education or equivalent work experience.
   • For “country of birth,” list the country you were born in, regardless of where you live. If the country has a different name now than it did when you were born, use its current name.
   • For “country of eligibility,” list either your country of birth or—if you qualify to use your spouse’s or your parents’ birth countries—list that country. The country you currently live in is irrelevant to this question.
2. Gather Information: You’ll need personal details like your name, date of birth, and passport information, as well as similar information for your spouse and children.
   • You must list your spouse, even if they don’t live with you and do not intend to immigrate.
   • You must list all of your biological and adopted children, no matter how old they are. You should also list all of your step-children under age 21, even if you are no longer married to their parents.
3. Prepare a Photo: A recent passport-style photo is required for each applicant.
   • Follow the same photo requirements as for a green card application.
4. Submit Your Entry: Fill out the official online application form accurately and completely. There is no fee to enter.
5. Keep Your Confirmation Number: This is crucial for checking your application status later.