Think Immigration: DV-Lottery Results Are Announced: Application Process in a Nutshell for Lucky Selectees Outside the U.S.

As of May 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of State has officially released the results of the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery for fiscal year 2026. This program offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. With the registration period having closed on November 7, 2024, and results now available, attention turns to the critical next steps for those selected.

Understanding the DV-2026 Process and Timeline

Entrants can now check their selection status exclusively through the official Entrant Status Check portal at dvprogram.state.gov. This is the only method by which the Department of State notifies selectees; no email, mail, or phone notifications are sent. Please be aware that there are scammers who seek to take advantage of this process and will pretend to be officials involved in the visa program. To use the portal, entrants will need their unique confirmation number, full name, and year of birth exactly as entered on their original application. The portal will remain available until at least September 30, 2026, allowing entrants to check their status throughout the entire program period. This is particularly important as additional drawings may occur if the annual allocation of Diversity Visas is not exhausted.

Being selected does not guarantee a visa. For DV-2026, approximately 125,000 entrants have been selected for only 55,000 available visas. This over selection accounts for cases that will not pursue visa issuance, applicants who fail to qualify, and the statutory limit of 7% of available visas per country. Each selectee receives a unique case number that determines the order in which cases become eligible for processing, with lower numbers generally processed earlier. The Department of State publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin indicating which case numbers are current for processing, and selectees should monitor this bulletin starting in August/September 2025.

From Selection to Application: Critical First Steps

If selected, entrants must act promptly. Immediately upon confirming selection, selectees should print the selection letter containing their case number and further instructions, save digital copies of all selection materials, and record their case number in multiple secure locations.

Before proceeding with the application, selectees must confirm they meet the two primary eligibility requirements. First, they must have either a high school education (or equivalent) or two years of qualifying work experience within the past five years. Second, they must not be inadmissible to the United States under immigration law.

Consecutively, selectees should begin gathering essential documents, including valid passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates (if applicable), police certificates, and educational diplomas. The information provided must be accurate and consistent with the original DV entry, supporting documentation, and previous visa applications. Even minor discrepancies can lead to delays or potential visa denials.

The Interview Process and Beyond

The visa interview is the culmination of the DV process. Interviews are scheduled based on the case number, Visa Bulletin progression, and consular post capacity. Selectees cannot schedule their own interviews; they must wait for notification from the Kentucky Consular Center or the relevant U.S. Embassy.

To prepare, selectees should review all application materials for accuracy, organize original documents, and be ready to discuss their educational background, work experience, and plans for living in the United States. After the interview, the visa may be approved, placed in administrative processing for additional review, or denied.

Alternative Green Card Options for Non-Selectees or Selectees Whose Applications Denied

It is of course, very disappointing to be one of the many who do not get a diversity visa. For those who are not selected in the DV Lottery or whose applications are denied, there are several employment-based options to consider for permanent residency. These include the EB-1 category for individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors/researchers, or multinational managers; the EB-2 category for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability (including the National Interest Waiver option that bypasses the labor certification requirement); the traditional PERM labor certification process for EB-2 and EB-3 categories, which requires employer sponsorship and proving no qualified U.S. workers are available; and the EB-5 Investor Visa, requiring a substantial capital investment (currently $800,000 in targeted employment areas and $1.05 million in non-targeted employment areas) in the U.S. business

In conclusion, the DV Lottery represents a life-changing opportunity, but the journey from selection to visa issuance requires careful navigation. Now that the May 3, 2025, announcement has occurred, selectees should secure their confirmation number, check results through the official portal, understand that selection is just the first step, begin gathering supporting documentation, and consider consulting with an immigration attorney to develop a strategic plan.

Lastly, as noted before, selectees should be vigilant about scams targeting hopeful immigrants. The Department of State never charges a fee to check DV results, official communications come only through the Entrant Status Check portal, and no third party can increase chances of selection or expedite processing. Government websites ending in .gov are the only official sources of information.

Remember, with proper guidance and thorough preparation, DV-2026 selectees can navigate this complex process successfully and begin their new lives in the United States.

Note: In his first term, the Trump Administration imposed a ban on diversity visas, which was overturned by the courts. While there are no restrictions on the Diversity Visa lottery at this time, AILA continues to monitor any policy or practice changes that may impact eligibility.

Immigration law is incredibly complex; if you are seeking to speak with qualified counsel about your eligibility for this or any other visa, the AILA member referral directory at www.ailalawyer.org may be of help.