The United States Diversity Visa (DV) program offers a unique opportunity for individuals seeking to immigrate to America. While the DV-2026 lottery takes place in 2024, successful applicants will actually immigrate in 2026. This program aims to promote immigration diversity, particularly benefiting applicants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S.

Officially known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, this initiative is commonly referred to as the "green card lottery." Each year, approximately 55,000 diversity visas are distributed through a randomized computer drawing. These visas provide recipients with lawful permanent resident status, granting them the right to live, work, and study in the United States, along with eligibility for their immediate family members.

The program is exceptionally competitive, with millions of applicants worldwide vying for the limited number of available slots each year, resulting in relatively low odds of selection. Results for the DV-2026 program will be announced on May 3, 2025. Successful applicants must check their status directly through the U.S. Department of State's website by entering their confirmation number. Importantly, no postal mail or email notifications are sent—all applicants must proactively check their status.

An additional benefit of the program allows visa recipients to apply for U.S. citizenship five years after obtaining their green card, further expanding their immigration pathway and future opportunities. Despite its competitive nature, the DV program remains an important legal avenue for foreign nationals aspiring to establish permanent residence in the United States.