DV Lottery 2026 Start Date

DV Lottery 2026 Start Date – The 2026 Diversity Visa Program (DV Lottery 2026) entry period will open on the first week of October 2024, and we encourage all who are eligible to apply, including selectees who were unable to obtain a visa during a prior program year.

Visit dvprogram.state.gov in October to register for the DV Lottery 2026 if you’re interested in applying.

Diversity Visa Qualifications

High School Education: A high school education means successful completion of a formal course of elementary and secondary education comparable to a 12-year course in the United States. Only formal courses of study meet this requirement; equivalency certificates (such as the G.E.D.) are not acceptable.
Work Experience: If you are qualifying with work experience, you must have two years of experience in the last five years, in an occupation which, by U.S. Department of Labor definitions, requires at least two years of training or experience that is designated as Job Zone 4 or 5, classified in a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) rating of 7.0 or higher. The U.S. Department of Labor provides information on job duties, knowledge and skills, education and training, and other occupational characteristics on their website http://www.onetonline.org/. The O*Net online database groups work experience into five “job zones.” While many occupations are listed, only two years of experience in certain specified occupations qualify an individual for a Diversity Visa.

Find out if you are eligible for DV-2026

Diversity Visa Program Cost

There is no fee to enter the green card lottery.