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United States · Immigration54

Diversity Immigrant Visa Program

An annual lottery making a limited number of immigrant visas available to people from countries with historically low U.S. immigration. Entry is free and only through the official Department of State site during the entry period.

Requires current verification · Editorial record dated 10/20/2026 · Not lawyer review or an eligibility decision. Check current official instructions.

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Who this is for

Natives of eligible countries with at least a high-school education or two years of qualifying work experience.

Entry opens only during a short annual window, and eligible countries change. Verify the current year’s instructions on the official Department of State page.

Common problems

Scams

The lottery is free. Any site charging to enter, or any email claiming you won without your having entered, is fraudulent.

The fiscal-year deadline

All processing must finish by September 30 of the program year; visas cannot carry over.