2026 Diversity Visa Lottery Opens For 55,000 Green Cards

By Author: Berd & Klauss, PLLC
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Online applications for the United States Diversity Visa (DV) Program for 2026 are open now from October 2 to November 5, 2024. If you're from a country with historically low immigration rates, your green card lawyer in NYC may advise you to apply promptly and boost your chances of being able to live and work in the US.

What is the 2026 DV lottery?

The DV Lottery is specifically designed to benefit individuals from countries with minimal immigration to the US. This program offers a pathway to a green card for those who may not qualify through other immigration channels.

Successful applicants are granted permanent residency in the United States. However, it's important to note that citizens of countries with high immigration rates — including India, Brazil, Canada, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Bangladesh — are ineligible for this program.

Important things to know

It’s free to register for the 2026 DV Lottery. If you meet the program’s specific work experience and education requirements — if you have either completed a high school education (or its equivalent) or have accumulated ...
... two years of work experience within the last five years in a job that required at least two years of training or experience — you’ll have a chance to become a US permanent resident.

The DV Lottery is designed to provide opportunities to individuals who may not have other pathways to a green card. If you’re selected, you’ll need to pass an interview with consular officers to finalize your eligibility for a visa.

Application rules

To avoid disqualification, submit only one application during the entire registration period. Once you've submitted your application, make sure to keep your confirmation number to check your entry’s status later.

Do you have a chance?

With 55,500 green cards up for grabs in the 2026 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, it's definitely worth participating. There's no harm in trying unless you're from one of the excluded countries. If you have any questions about the DV Lottery or the US immigration process in general, don't hesitate to consult with a green card lawyer in NYC.
For immigration concerns, you’re welcome to book an appointment at Berd & Klauss, PLLC. Call 212-461-7152 or send a message to info@berdklauss.com.

Patrick Klauss, Esq., is an immigration attorney and partner at Berd & Klauss, PLLC, who specializes in all aspects of immigration law, from visas to deportation and waivers. Berd & Klauss, PLLC is a boutique, full-service immigration firm in New York dedicated to helping companies and individuals secure immigration benefits in the United States.