The United States Department of State has disclosed the official procedure for candidates of the 2026 Diversity Visa (DV) programme, popularly referred to as the Green Card Lottery, to check if they have been selected.
According to guidelines shared by the State Department, eligible applicants must use their electronic confirmation number to verify their selection status through the official government portal specifically designated for this purpose.
The portal will be active from May 3, 2025, until September 30, 2026.
How to check your DV-2026 status
Applicants seeking to access the Entrant Status Check must enter the unique confirmation number given upon their application submission.
The designated website, dvprogram.state.gov, is described as the sole source for notifications on winner selections, important instructions regarding the visa application, and details related to immigrant visa interview appointments.
The State Department has emphasised the importance of keeping hold of their confirmation numbers until the end date of September 30, 2026, as further notifications may be issued after the initial checking date to ensure all available visas are allocated for the year.
Warnings about direct communication
A key caution from the official guidance is that the Department of State will not make any direct contact with applicants concerning their selection status.
Thus, candidates should not expect notification via phone calls, emails, or letters.
It is also vital that applicants remain vigilant against third-party websites or individuals claiming to provide results or assistance, as these are not recognized by the US government.
The DV Programme allocates up to 55,000 immigrant visas each year to individuals from countries that have historically low immigration rates to the United States, including numerous nations across Africa.
