June 12, 2025

Diversity Lottery & 2026 Results

The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, also known as the Green Card Lottery, is a U.S. government program that provides a pathway for individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States to obtain permanent residency. Each year, up to 55,000 diversity visas are made available through a random selection process to applicants who meet simple but strict eligibility requirements, including education or work experience criteria. The program’s goal is to promote immigration diversity and offer new opportunities to people around the world to live and work in the U.S.

To qualify, applicants must be from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. and must have either a high school education or equivalent, or qualifying work experience. The list of eligible countries is updated annually by the U.S. Department of State. Registration for the DV Lottery typically occurs in the fall, and for the 2026 lottery, it ran from October 2 to November 7, 2024. After applying, it is important to keep your confirmation number, as it is needed to check the status of your entry online.

2026 Results

On May 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of State released the results for the 2026 DV Lottery. Those who entered the lottery can check their status only through the official Entrant Status Check portal using their confirmation number, full name, and year of birth. It’s important to note that the government does not notify selectees by email, phone, or mail—any other source may be a scam.

Roughly 125,000 individuals were selected for the 2026 DV Lottery though only 55,000 visas are available. Selection does not guarantee a visa; applicants must still prove eligibility and undergo an interview. Case numbers determine the processing order, and the U.S. Department of State releases monthly updates in the Visa Bulletin starting in late summer 2025.

Preparing for the Visa Interview

Selectees must gather essential documents like passports, birth certificates, and educational records, and ensure all information matches their original entry. They must also meet the education or work experience criteria and be otherwise admissible to the United States. Interviews are scheduled by the appropriate embassy or consulate based on the case number and availability. Applicants should be cautious of scams and false promises. No one can increase your chances or speed up your case. The U.S. government does not charge a fee to check lottery results, and all official updates come from .gov websites.

Diana Bailey is an experienced immigration attorney with over 20 years of experience. To schedule a free phone consultation, call her office—Bailey Immigration, PC—at 503-224-0950.