The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program, commonly referred to as the USA Green Card Lottery, is a program administered by the United States government to provide an opportunity for individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa, which can ultimately lead to lawful permanent residency, or a “Green Card.”
Alternatively a green card, also known as a Permanent Resident Card (PRC), is a document that allows a non-U.S. citizen to live and work permanently in the United States. Green card holders are also eligible for many of the same benefits as U.S. citizens, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
DV-2026 Program
The Department of State annually administers the statutorily created Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides for a class of immigrants known as “diversity immigrants” from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. For Fiscal Year 2026, up to 55,000 Diversity Visas (DVs) will be available.
There is no cost to register for the DV program.
Requirements
Applicants who are selected in the program (selectees) must meet simple but strict eligibility requirements to qualify for a DV. The Department of State determines selectees through a randomized computer drawing.
The Department of State distributes diversity visas among six geographic regions, and no single country may receive more than seven percent of the available DVs in any one year.
Eligibility
Qualification
1: Natives of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States may be eligible to enter.
African Countries that are Eligible
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, KENYA, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda
If you are not a native of a country with historically low rates of immigration to the United States, there are two other ways you might be able to qualify.
2: Each DV applicant must meet the education/work experience requirement of the DV program by having either:
- at least a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful
completion of a 12-year course of formal elementary and secondary
education;
OR - two years of work experience within the past five years in an
occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience to
perform.
Entry period
Applicants must submit entries for the DV-2026 program electronically between October 2, 2024, and, November 7, 2024.
Do not wait until the last week of the registration period to enter as heavy demand may result
in website delays. No late entries or paper entries will be accepted.
The law allows only one entry per person during each entry period.
The Department of State uses sophisticated technology to detect multiple entries. Submission of more than one entry for a person will disqualify all entries for that person.
More Facts About DV Lottery green card Program
The link for the application is under post but before you apply, here are Some things you need to know about DV Lottery green card Program
- Annual Lottery: The DV Lottery is a yearly program where eligible individuals apply during specified dates. This year 02nd October to 7th November 2024
- Eligibility: To participate, you must meet criteria such as being from an eligible country and having a certain education level or work experience.
- Limited Visas: A fixed number of Diversity Visas (usually around 50,000) are available each year.
- Random Selection: Entries are chosen randomly via a computer-generated lottery. Selection doesn’t guarantee a visa.
- Visa Application: If selected, you’ll need to apply for the visa, which involves documentation, an embassy interview, and meeting visa requirements.
- Beware of Scams: Watch out for scammers promising to increase your chances for a fee. Only use the official U.S. Department of State website for entry, which is free.
- Fees: While entry is free, visa applicants must pay various fees, including Medical checks fees and visa issuance fees after being selected.
- Family Members: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 can typically join visa holders in the U.S.
- Timing: The process can take several years, with specific deadlines to follow.
- No Guarantees: Winning the DV Lottery doesn’t guarantee a visa; meeting eligibility and completing the application process is vital.
- Rely on official U.S. Department of State resources and consider consulting immigration professionals for guidance.
PHOTO requirements of the DV lottery
- Acceptable dimensions are 600 x 600 pixels. Maximum acceptable dimensions are 1200 x 1200 pixels i.e. square ration in a JPEG format not exceeding 240kbs and on a white clear background.
- Should be coloured.
Kodak studio Nairobi Along Moi Avenue just after Naivas supermarket is good at this. If not, go to Kileleshwa Kasuku centre, the cost is about £3.6 or Ksh 658.
- If you are a couple, make separate applications while listing each other as dependents with all your legal children. This will give you double chances i.e. if one misses and the other gets selected, you all become safe.
If you are about to get married apply separately but list as unmarried then if selected when married list on the DS 260 visa application form that you are married, including your spouse with an evidence of marriage certificate.
NB: A birth certificate of your kid(s) is not a proof of marriage. Make sure you have a legal marriage certificate if you happen to be selected.
Make use of this chance today.
How to Apply
Click on the link below
Applications will open in Kenya on October 2, 2024,