The 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery Closes on November 5

 Posted on October 14, 2024 in Immigration

The U.S. Department of State began accepting online applications for the 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery on Wednesday, October 2, at 12:00 p.m. The window for applications is very short, only lasting until November 5 at 12:00 p.m. (EST). This program will make 55,000 green cards available to foreign citizens, particularly from countries that do not typically send large numbers of immigrants to the U.S. Since there could be website delays as a result of high demand, the sooner you apply for the green card lottery, the better.  If you could benefit from experienced legal assistance for this application or another immigration issue, a Bloomingdale, IL immigration attorney from Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices can help.

What Is the Green Card Lottery and Who is Eligible?

The Diversity Visa Program is also known as the Green Card Lottery. Under this program, a limited number of immigrant visas are available each year. The eligibility requirements include:

• You must be a citizen of a country with a typically low immigration rate to the U.S. (the list of countries changes each year)

• You must have graduated from high school or its equivalent or two years of qualifying work experience.

• If you are qualifying with work experience, the two years must be in the last five years in an occupation defined by the DOL as one that requires at least two years of training or experience in designated areas.

•  Only you, as the principal applicant, must meet the above requirements; your spouse and children do not have to meet the requirements.

• If you apply without meeting the requirements, your application fees will not be refunded, and it could harm your future eligibility for a Diversity Visa.

The DOL website provides more information about education, job knowledge, skills, and training. However, some medical conditions or criminal histories could make you ineligible for a green card, so even if you were chosen in the Diversity Lottery, you would not be eligible for one.

Ineligible countries this year include Vietnam, Venezuela, South Korea, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Mexico, Jamaica, India, Honduras, Haiti, El Salvador, The Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Columbia. While people from these countries are not eligible to apply, you may still qualify if your spouse was born in an eligible country, or through your parent’s country of birth.

What Happens if You Are Chosen in the Green Card Lottery?

The winners of the Diversity Lottery are chosen randomly from the applicants. You must save your confirmation number to check your application status in early May 2025. If you are chosen in the lottery, even though it will be another year or more before you can come to the United States, you must do some things. You will get a numerical rank when you are notified that you won the diversity visa, telling you when you can apply. 

Once the application is processed, a visa interview will be scheduled. If you are in the U.S. under temporary immigration status, you will apply for your green card through USCIS via Form I-485. The odds of winning a Diversity Visa lottery are not high, but it allows some immigrants to come to the U.S. without family or employment contacts.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Immigration Lawyer

The Diversity Visa lottery can have many complex requirements, and it is essential that you get your application right before you submit it. If you need assistance, a Naperville, IL immigration attorney from Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices can help ensure your submission is correct and that you meet all necessary requirements. Attorney Steven H. Mevorah has been serving the needs of immigrants throughout Northern Illinois for more than 40 years. Contact Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices at 630-932-9100 to schedule your free consultation.