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    GMS Flash Alert 2024-198

    United States – 2026 Diversity Visa Immigrant Lottery

    GMS Flash Alert 2024198 | October 11, 2024

    The registration period for foreign nationals who wish to enter the U.S. Diversity Lottery (DV Lottery) began on October 2, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. ET and will end at 12:00 p.m. ET on November 5, 2024.1  DV Lottery registrants may include a spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21 in their entry.  Selection results will be available in May 2025 and winners will be permitted to file their applications for an immigrant visa between October 1, 2025 (i.e., the first day of FY2026) and September 30, 2026.

    The Diversity Lottery (DV Lottery) program grants U.S. permanent residence to eligible applicants from certain countries with a low rate of immigration to the United States.  The lottery involves random electronic selection and is conducted by the U.S. Department of State each year. Registration for the lottery must be completed online pursuant to the instructions provided by the U.S. Department of State.2

    WHY THIS MATTERS

    As a result of the upcoming DV Lottery registration, 55,000 immigrant visas will be made available to selected foreign nationals.3   Individuals selected in the DV Lottery may apply to immigrate to the U.S. without sponsorship from a U.S. employer or a qualifying family member.  Thus, the DV Lottery offers an opportunity to those who may not have an employment or family-based pathway to immigrate to the U.S., while simultaneously promoting diversity within the country.

    Eligibility

    Applicants from certain countries from which more than 50,000 immigrants have moved to the U.S. in the past five years are ineligible to participate in the FY2026 DV Lottery.4  There is no government fee to register for the DV Lottery, but immigrant visa fees will apply to selected registrants who apply for an immigrant visa.

    Foreign nationals born in the following countries are not able to participate in the FY2026 DV Lottery:5

    Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, the People’s Republic of China (including mainland China and Hong Kong SAR),

    Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

    Persons born in an ineligible country that is listed above may still be able to register in the DV Lottery if their spouse was born in an eligible country or, if neither parent was born in or a legal resident of the registrant’s country of birth, they may be able to apply based on a parent’s country of birth. 

    To register in the DV Lottery, a foreign national must meet the following criteria:6

    • Be chargeable to an eligible country based on his/her own country of birth, the birth country of a spouse, or the country of birth of a parent if neither parent was born in or a legal resident of the registrant’s country of birth; and
    • Have at least a high school education or equivalent, OR two years of qualifying work experience in the last five years (qualifying experience is work in an occupation that requires at least two years of training and experience).

    How to Apply

    For all necessary registration steps during the registration period, which runs from 12:00 p.m. ET on October 2, 2024 to 12:00 p.m. ET on November 5, 2024, see the official U.S. Department of State website: Diversity Visa Application Website . 

    KPMG INSIGHTS

    The U.S. Department of State does not send notice of DV Lottery results by fax, email, phone, or letter.  If selected, a foreign national wishing to pursue U.S. permanent residence will be required to apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

    Selected applicants may reach out to their usual immigration counsel/adviser or a member of the U.S. Immigration team with KPMG Law in Canada (see the Contacts section) for assistance with the immigrant visa application process.

    CONTACTS

    Elizabeth Nanton
    Elizabeth Nanton

    Partner and U.S. Immigration Practice Leader, KPMG Law LLP

    KPMG in Canada

    jashan-girn
    Jashan Girn

    Associate Attorney

    KPMG in Canada

    Additional Resources

    FOOTNOTES:

    1   U.S. Department of State website.

    2   See the “Diversity Visa Instructions” page on the U.S. Department of State website.

    3   See the “Diversity Visa Instructions” page on the U.S. Department of State website.

    4   U.S. Department of State website.

    5   U.S. Department of State website.

    6   U.S. Department of State website.  

     

    Disclaimer:

    * Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

    The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Canada.

    GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

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