US Green Card Lottery 2026: Selection Process Explained

The Department of State has clarified the process for participants in the 2026 Green Card Lottery, officially known as the Diversity Visa (DV) program. Selection results will only be communicated through the Entrant Status Check on the government’s official DV program website, available from May 3, 2025, to September 30, 2026.

Applicants must use their unique confirmation number issued at the time of entry to access this portal, located at dvprogram.state.gov. The Department emphasizes that it will not contact applicants directly regarding their selection status, warning against expecting phone calls or emails as official notifications.

Applicants are advised to retain their confirmation numbers until September 30, 2026, as additional selectees may be notified after the initial date. The DV program allocates up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually to individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States, which includes many African nations.