DV-2026 Entrant Status Check Access Opens

The Department of State (DOS) announced that as of May 3, 2025, Diversity Visa lottery (DV-2026) entrants may enter their confirmation information at the Electronic Diversity Visa Program website to check the status of their applications until “at least September 30, 2026.” The DV-2026 registration period opened on October 2, 2024, and closed on November 7, 2024. DOS said that DV-2026 entrants “should keep their confirmation number until at least September 30, 2026.”

DV-2025 Entrants have until September 30, 2025, to check the status of their entry through the website. DOS noted that it will not send a letter or an email to let applicants know if they have been selected; they must check their status online using their confirmation number. DOS has released a website for retrieving a confirmation number if it has been lost. DOS has also released instructions and additional information for applicants who have been selected.

DOS has also released an infographic on the DV-2026 process. Those needing help can email the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) at kccdv@state.gov and include their name, birth date, and case number, DOS said.

In related news, the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for June 2025 notes that the DV-2025 annual limit has been reduced to approximately 52,000:

The [Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA)] stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program. Visa numbers made available to NACARA applicants in FY 2024 will result in reduction of the DV-2025 annual limit to approximately 54,850. Section 5104 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 amended the NACARA’s provisions on the DV program such that the number of visas made available under the NDAA each fiscal year will be deducted from the 55,000 DVs annually allocated. These amendments will further reduce the DV-2025 annual limit to approximately 52,000.

This is posting is for informational purposes and is not intended as legal advice. If you require further assistance or advice relating to the above, If you require further assistance or advice relating to the above, please contact our Principal Lawyer, Janice Flynn at janice@flynnhodkinson.com.