
United States opens the Green Card Lottery 2026: This is how you can apply for the American visa
The United States Immigrant Visa Diversity Program, known as the "Visa Lottery" or "Green Card Lottery," is an annual initiative that offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas.
Leer en español: Estados Unidos abre la Lotería de Green Cards 2026: Así puedes solicitar la visa americana
The "Green Card Lotteries" allow beneficiaries to permanently reside in the United States and eventually apply for US citizenship. The program is designed to promote diversity among immigrants, favoring individuals from countries with low migration rates to the United States.
Eligibility and requirements for obtaining the Green Card
To participate in the visa lottery, applicants must meet the following criteria:
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Country of Birth: Be native of an eligible country, i.e., one that has had less than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the last five years. For the DV-2026 program, natives of the following countries are not eligible due to their high immigration rates:
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- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- Canada
- People's Republic of China (including those born in Hong Kong)
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- South Korea
- Venezuela
It's important to note that natives from the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan are eligible.
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Education or Work Experience: Have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent, or have two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.
Registration Process
Registration for the DV-2026 program was open from October 2 to November 5, 2024. Although this period has already ended, it's useful to know the process for future applications:
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Form: Complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form (DS-5501) on the official website
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Photograph: Attach a recent photograph that meets the requirements specified in the program instructions.
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Confirmation: Upon completion, the system provides a unique confirmation number that must be kept to verify the status of the application.
Results and Subsequent Steps
The lottery results for the DV-2026 program will be available starting on May 3, 2025. Participants can check if they were selected by entering their confirmation number on the official website
If selected, you must complete Form DS-260 online and attend an interview at the corresponding US embassy or consulate. During the interview, your eligibility will be assessed, and you will be informed about the next steps to obtain the immigrant visa.
Common Errors to Avoid
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Multiple Registrations: Submitting more than one entry per person during the registration period will result in disqualification.
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Incorrect Information: Ensure that all personal data is correctly written and accurate.
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Invalid Photographs: Do not use photos older than six months or that do not meet the specified requirements.
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Use of Intermediaries: It is not necessary to use third parties to complete the registration; the process is simple and free.
Additional Considerations
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Family Members: If you are married, your spouse and children under 21 years old may also be eligible for derivative visas.
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Fraud: Be cautious of scams; the Department of State does not send notifications via email or request payments through third parties.
For detailed and updated information, visit the official website of the U.S. Department of State.
*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence