The US Green Card Lottery (DV Lottery): How to Enter in 2026

The American visa lottery is one of the few routes to a US green card that needs no job offer, no family in the country, and no fortune in the bank. Officially it is the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, run by the US Department of State, and it hands out roughly 55,000 permanent-resident visas a year, chosen at random by computer. Entry is genuinely free. The catch is that most people who enter do it wrong, fall for a scam, or do not understand what winning actually means.

This guide walks through exactly how the lottery works, the two rules that decide if you can enter, how to submit your own entry without paying anyone, and what happens in the months after a win. No hype, just the process.

What the green card lottery actually is

The program exists to keep immigration to the US diverse. Each year a fixed pool of green cards is set aside for people from countries that have sent relatively few immigrants to the United States recently. A computer draws winners at random from the valid entries. If your entry is selected, you get the right to apply for permanent residence, which, after a few years, can lead to US citizenship.

The single most important thing to understand: being selected is not the same as getting a green card. Selection is permission to apply. You still have to complete the application, attend an interview, pass medical and background checks, and do it all before that year's visas run out.

Who can enter: the two rules

Eligibility comes down to two requirements, and you need both.

• An eligible country of birth. The list of qualifying countries changes every year. High-immigration countries are excluded, and over the years that list has at times included places like India, China, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, Nigeria and Brazil. Always check the current year's eligible-country list before you assume you qualify. If your own country of birth is excluded, you may still be able to enter through a spouse's or a parent's country of birth in some cases.
• Education or work experience. You need either a high school education (completing a full course of secondary education) or two years of work in the last five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.

How to enter, step by step (and why it's free)

Entries open for a short window each year, usually in the autumn, and you submit a single electronic form. The official entry is free and happens only on the government's site. Here is the shape of it:

1. Wait for the official registration window to open and enter only on the official US government Diversity Visa site.
2. Fill in your details exactly as they appear on your passport, and upload a photo that meets the strict size and background rules. A wrong photo is one of the most common reasons entries are thrown out.
3. Submit once. Entering more than once in the same year disqualifies you, so do not let an "agent" submit extra entries on your behalf.
4. Save your confirmation number. This is the only way to check your result later, and it cannot be recovered if you lose it.

You do not pay anything to enter. There is a visa fee later, only if you are selected and proceed to the application stage.

What happens if you're selected

Results are published on the official site, and you check them yourself with your confirmation number. There is no winning email, no phone call, no letter. If you are selected:

• You complete a full immigrant visa application (the DS-260) with your documents.
• You attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate, and pass medical and background checks.
• You watch your case number, because visas are issued roughly in number order and the program closes at the end of its fiscal year. Being selected late with a high number can mean the visas run out before your turn. Move quickly.

The scams to avoid

The lottery attracts more fraud than almost any other immigration route, precisely because so many people want it. Protect yourself:

• Entry is free. Anyone charging a fee to "enter you in the lottery" is selling you something you can do yourself for nothing.
• There is no winning email. The government never emails to say you won. Messages claiming you have been selected and asking for a payment or your bank details are scams. Check results only on the official site.
• No one can improve your odds. The draw is random. Agents who promise better chances are lying.

A licensed immigration lawyer can genuinely help with the application stage after you are selected, but no one can help you win the draw itself.

Your odds, honestly

Millions enter each year for around 55,000 visas, so the raw odds are long, and they vary a lot by region. But the entry costs nothing but a few minutes, and entering every single year is the realistic strategy. Many winners had entered several years running before their number came up. Treat it as a free annual ticket, not a plan you bet your life on, and pair it with a more controllable route if you are serious about moving.

Frequently asked questions

Is the US green card lottery really free?

Yes. The official entry on the government's Diversity Visa site costs nothing. You only pay a visa fee later, and only if you are selected and choose to apply.

How do I know if my country is eligible?

The eligible-country list is published each year with the program instructions. High-immigration countries are excluded, and the list can change from year to year, so check the current one before entering.

Does winning the lottery guarantee a green card?

No. Selection lets you apply. You still need to complete the application, interview successfully, pass the checks, and be processed before that year's visas run out.

Can I enter more than once to improve my chances?

No. Submitting more than one entry in the same year disqualifies you. Enter once per year, every year.

How will I be told if I have won?

You check yourself on the official site using your confirmation number. There is no email, call or letter announcing a win. Anyone who contacts you claiming otherwise is running a scam.