US DV lottery 2026 registration period, eligibility and application forms

The annual DV lottery, commonly known as the green card lottery, always makes interested people around the world excited and eager. The lottery attracts millions of participants who wish to immigrate to the United States of America. The US DV lottery 2026 application will be held later in the year, and we have all the details you should know about it.

The soon-to-open US DV lottery 2026 will offer successful applicants the opportunity to immigrate to the United States of America. A lottery means a situation whose success or outcome is governed by chance, so applicants are not guaranteed to immigrate to the US. Only successful Green Card applicants will be given the opportunity to relocate.

All about the US DV lottery 2026

The US DV lottery, also known as the Green Card Lottery programme, is a Diversity Visa Immigrant Lottery Programme administered by the United States Department of State.

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The programme gives successful applicants from foreign nations a permanent residence visa. These foreign nationals must meet certain criteria.

Winners of the US DV lottery are selected randomly in a computer drawing. The United States Department of State makes the random selections.

Permanent Resident Card vs Green Card

A Permanent Resident Card is the same as a Green Card. The Permanent Resident Card is green in colour, hence the name Green Card.

Holders of this card are permanent residents of the United States of America. The card is proof of their status.

The card is a type of immigrant visa that allows immigrants to live, work, and study in the United States of America. Holders of this card can also enter and leave the United States of America freely.

Is DV Lottery 2026 open?

The DV Lottery 2026 is not open at the moment. The applications will be in October and November 2024. Interested persons are advised to start preparing in advance.

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Eligible countries

Every year, the United States Government grants up to 55,000 permanent resident cards to people from other countries. Eligible countries have historically low rates of immigration to America.

Eligibility is determined by the country of birth, not by the country of citizenship or residence. The programme is open to all individuals worldwide, EXCEPT the countries listed below.

• Bangladesh
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Colombia
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Haiti
• Honduras
• India
• Jamaica
• Mexico
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• South Korea
• Venezuela
• Vietnam

NB: Some applicants born in non-qualifying countries listed above may still participate in the Green Card Lottery based on the country of birth of their spouses or parents.

Education or work experience requirements

You must meet one of the two requirements listed below to enter the DV2026.

• You must have completed a US high school education or its foreign equivalent
• You must have worked in specific occupations for at least two years within the last five years.

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These jobs are listed below.

• Accountants
• Actuaries
• Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
• Administrative Services Managers
• Adult Literacy, Remedial Education, and GED Teachers and Instructors
• Advertising and Promotions Managers
• Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians
• Aerospace Engineers
• Agricultural Crop Farm Managers
• Agricultural Engineers
• Agricultural Inspectors
• Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
• Air Traffic Controllers
• Aircraft Engine Specialists
• Airframe-and-Power-Plant Mechanics
• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
• Anesthesiologists
• Animal Scientists
• Anthropologists
• Anthropology and Archaeology Teachers, Postsecondary
• Appraisers, Real Estate
• Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
• Archaeologists
• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
• Architectural Drafters
• Archivists
• Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
• Art Directors
• Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
• Assessors
• Astronomers
• Athletic Trainers
• Atmospheric and Space Scientists
• Audio and Video Equipment Technicians
• Audiologists
• Audio-Visual Collections Specialists
• Auditors
• Aviation Inspectors
• Avionics Technicians
• Biochemists
• Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
• Biologists
• Biophysicists
• Boat Builders and Shipwrights
• Boilermakers
• Bookbinders
• Broadcast News Analysts
• Broadcast Technicians
• Budget Analysts

• Calibration and Instrumentation Technicians
• Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers
• Camera Operators
• Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture
• Carpet Installers
• Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
• Cartoonists
• Ceiling Tile Installers
• Central Office and PBX Installers and Repairers
• Chefs and Head Cooks
• Chemical Engineers
• Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
• Chemists
• Child Support, Missing Persons, and Unemployment Insurance Fraud Investigators
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers
• Chiropractors
• Choreographers
• Civil Engineering Technicians
• Civil Engineers
• Claims Examiners, Property and Casualty Insurance
• Clergy
• Clinical Psychologists
• Coaches and Scouts
• Commercial and Industrial Designers
• Commercial Pilots
• Compensation and Benefits Managers
• Composers
• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Computer Hardware Engineers
• Computer Programmers
• Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
• Computer Security Specialists
• Computer Software Engineers, Applications
• Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software
• Computer Support Specialists
• Construction Carpenters
• Construction Managers
• Copy Writers
• Coroners
• Cost Estimators
• Costume Attendants
• Counselling Psychologists
• Creative Writers
• Credit Analysts
• Criminal Investigators and Special Agents
• Curators
• Custom Tailors
• Dancers
• Data Processing Equipment Repairers
• Database Administrators
• Dentists, General
• Desktop Publishers
• Dietetic Technicians
• Dietitians and Nutritionists
• Directors- Stage, Motion Pictures, Television, and Radio
• Directors, Religious Activities and Education
• Dot Etchers
• Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
• Economists
• Editors
• Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School
• Education Administrators, Postsecondary
• Education Administrators, Preschool and Child Care Center/Program
• Educational Psychologists
• Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
• Electrical Drafters
• Electrical Engineering Technicians
• Electrical Engineers
• Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
• Electro-Mechanical Technicians
• Electronic Masking System Operators
• Electronics Engineering Technicians
• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
• Electrotypers and Stereotypers
• Elementary School Teachers, except for Special Education
• Elevator Installers and Repairers
• Embalmers
• Engineering Managers
• Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
• English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
• Engraver Set-Up Operators
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
• Epidemiologists
• Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
• Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
• Exhibit Designers

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• Family and General Practitioners
• Farm and Home Management Advisors
• Film and Video Editors
• Film Laboratory Technicians
• Financial Analysts
• Financial Examiners
• Financial Managers, Branch or Department
• Fire Investigators
• Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
• First-Line Supervisors and Manager/Supervisors - Logging Workers
• First-Line Supervisors and Manager/Supervisors- Construction Trades Workers
• First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
• First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Police and Detectives
• Fish Hatchery Managers
• Fitters, Structural Metal- Precision
• Food Scientists and Technologists
• Food Service Managers
• Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
• Forensic Science Technicians
• Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors
• Foresters
• Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
• Funeral Directors
• Gas Appliance Repairers
• Gas Compressor Operators
• Geographers
• Geologists
• Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers
• Government Service Executives
• Graduate Teaching Assistants
• Graphic Designers
• Hand Compositors and Typesetters
• Health Educators
• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
• Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics
• Historians
• History Teachers, Postsecondary
• Housekeeping Supervisors
• Human Resources Managers
• Hydrologists
• Industrial Engineers
• Industrial Production Managers
• Industrial Safety and Health Engineers
• Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
• Instructional Coordinators
• Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
• Insurance Underwriters
• Interior Designers
• Internists, General
• Jewellers
• Job Printers
• Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
• Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
• Landscape Architects
• Law Clerks
• Lawn Service Managers
• Lawyers
• Librarians
• Loan Counselors
• Loan Officers
• Locomotive Engineers
• Machinists
• Management Analysts
• Marine Architects
• Marine Cargo Inspectors
• Marine Engineers
• Market Research Analysts
• Marketing Managers
• Materials Engineers
• Materials Scientists
• Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
• Mathematical Technicians
• Mathematicians
• Mechanical Drafters
• Mechanical Engineering Technicians
• Mechanical Engineers
• Mechanical Inspectors
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
• Medical and Health Services Managers
• Medical and Public Health Social Workers
• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
• Meeting and Convention Planners
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
• Mental Health Counselors
• Metal Fabricators, Structural Metal Products
• Microbiologists
• Middle School Teachers, except for Special and Vocational Education
• Millwrights
• Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
• Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
• Model Makers, Wood
• Municipal Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors
• Music Arrangers and Orchestrators
• Music Directors
• Musicians, Instrumental

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• Natural Sciences Managers
• Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
• Nuclear Engineers
• Nuclear Medicine Technologists
• Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
• Nursery and Greenhouse Managers
• Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
• Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
• Occupational Therapists
• Offset Lithographic Press Setters and Set-Up Operators
• Operations Research Analysts
• Optical Instrument Assemblers
• Opticians, Dispensing
• Optometrists
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• Orthodontists
• Painters and Illustrators
• Painters, Construction and Maintenance
• Paralegals and Legal Assistants
• Park Naturalists
• Paste-Up Workers
• Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
• Patternmakers, Wood
• Paediatricians, General
• Petroleum Engineers
• Petroleum Refinery and Control Panel Operators
• Pewter Casters and Finishers
• Pharmacists
• Photoengravers
• Physical Therapists
• Physician Assistants
• Physicists
• Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
• Pilots, Ship
• Pipe Fitters
• Plant Scientists
• Plasterers and Stucco Masons
• Plate Finishers
• Podiatrists
• Poets and Lyricists
• Police Detectives
• Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
• Political Scientists
• Postmasters and Mail Superintendents
• Potters
• Power Distributors and Dispatchers
• Power Generating Plant Operators, Except Auxiliary Equipment Operators
• Precision Pattern and Die Casters, Nonferrous Metals
• Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
• Pressure Vessel Inspectors
• Private Sector Executives
• Producers
• Product Safety Engineers
• Programme Directors
• Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
• Prosthodontists
• Psychiatrists
• Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
• Public Relations Specialists
• Public Transportation Inspectors
• Purchasing Agents and Buyers, Farm Products
• Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
• Purchasing Managers
• Radiation Therapists
• Radiologic Technicians
• Radiologic Technologists
• Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
• Range Managers
• Recreational Therapists
• Reed or Wind Instrument Repairers and Tuners
• Refrigeration Mechanics
• Registered Nurses
• Reporters and Correspondents
• Sales Agents, Securities and Commodities
• Sales Engineers
• Sales Managers
• Scanner Operators
• Sculptors
• Secondary School Teachers, except for Special and Vocational Education
• Self-Enrichment Education Teachers
• Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining
• Set Designers
• Ship and Boat Captains
• Ship Engineers
• Signal and Track Switch Repairers
• Social and Community Service Managers
• Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
• Soil Conservationists
• Soil Scientists
• Special Education Teachers, Middle School
• Special Education Teachers, Preschool, Kindergarten, and Elementary School
• Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Station Installers and Repairers, Telephone
• Statisticians
• Stonemasons
• Storage and Distribution Managers
• Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
• Surgeons
• Surveying Technicians
• Surveyors
• Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents
• Technical Directors/Managers
• Technical Writers
• Tool and Die Makers
• Traffic Technicians
• Training and Development Managers
• Training and Development Specialists
• Transformer Repairers
• Transportation Managers
• Treasurers, Controllers, and Chief Financial Officers
• Urban and Regional Planners
• Veterinarians
• Vocational Education Teachers Postsecondary
• Vocational Education Teachers, Middle School
• Vocational Education Teachers, Secondary School
• Welder-Fitters
• Wellhead Pumpers
• Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

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DV lottery 2026 application process

Below are the steps you must follow if you wish to immigrate to the United States of America.

• Submit your entry via the application portal. Note that ALL submissions must be made through the United States Department of State website. Use the same site to check the status of your application.
• Wait for the US Department of State to conduct selections.
• If you are selected, confirm your applications.
• Submit your immigrant visa and alien registration application.
• Submit the supporting documents.
• Schedule an interview with the nearest embassy or consulate.
• Prepare for the interview and attend it.
• Start preparing for travel after passing the interview.

Photo requirements

Below are the general photo requirements you should follow.

• All pictures (of yourself and co-applicants) should be recent and digital
• All digital images must be at a minimum 24-bit colour depth
• All photographs must be taken in front of a neutral, light-coloured background
• Applicants must not wear glasses when taking the photos
• Applicants must not wear any head covering unless it is for religious reasons

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Points to note

Below are important points you should note.

• Selected entrants are encouraged to complete the online DS-260 application immediately after receiving the selection notice. They should schedule an interview appointment at the appropriate US Embassy or Consulate.
• There is a post-selection interview for all selected persons.
• DV lottery registration is free of charge. You can complete the application process on your own. Using agents is not encouraged.
• Ensure all information you provide is accurate.
• Note down your confirmation number because you will need it to check the status of your application.
• Ensure that you are using an updated browser. Old browsers may cause problems when filling out the registration form.
• Always write your name as it appears on the passport.
• Ensure your picture meets the requirements.

When can you apply for the 2026 DV Lottery?

The DV-2026 application will be in October and November 2024. You can apply then.

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Which country is not eligible for the DV Lottery 2026?

The non-eligible countries are Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

What is the maximum age for the DV lottery?

There is no Green Card Lottery maximum age limit to apply. Anyone can apply as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

Who is eligible to apply for the diversity visa lottery?

Countries from all countries, except those listed as non-eligible, can apply. Applicants must also have completed their studies in a American high school or its equivalent. Those working in the listed professions must have worked in specific occupations for at least two years within the last five years.

The US DV lottery 2026 is an opportunity for people looking to become permanent residents of the United States of America to try their luck. Prospective applicants are required to start preparing for the next application period.

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Many things in life are worth looking forward to and worth trying out. But there are also a lot of highly overhyped things.

Source: YEN.com.gh