DV Lottery 2026 Update: Important Notice for Cuba and UK Applicants
DV Lottery 2026 Update: Important Notice for Cuba and UK Applicants
The U.S. Department of State has released an important update regarding the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery 2026 Program, specifically affecting certain applicants from Cuba and Great Britain (United Kingdom) and its dependent territories.
If you applied for the DV Lottery 2026, it is strongly recommended that you review this update carefully and verify your selection status through the official Entrant Status Check system.
Cuba – DV 2026 Ineligibility Clarification
During a review of the DV-2026 entry selection system, the Department of State discovered that a small number of entrants who selected Cuba as their country of chargeability were incorrectly notified as “selected.”
However, under U.S. immigration law and the official DV-2026 program instructions, Cuban natives are not eligible for the DV-2026 program year. This is because more than 50,000 Cuban nationals immigrated to the United States during the previous five years, which exceeds the eligibility threshold set by law.
As a result:
- Cuban natives cannot participate in DV-2026
- Any incorrect selection notices have been addressed
- Affected applicants have been notified of their ineligibility
United Kingdom – Selection Status Reverification Required
The Department also identified that a small number of entrants from Great Britain (United Kingdom) and its dependent areas may have received incorrect selection status results.
Applicants from Great Britain and its listed territories should:
- Visit the official DV Entrant Status Check portal
- Log in using their original DV-2026 confirmation number
- Reconfirm whether their entry has been officially selected
Dependent Areas Included Under Great Britain
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Pitcairn
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
- St. Helena
- Turks and Caicos Islands
⚠️ Important: Northern Ireland is treated separately as a distinct country of chargeability for DV purposes. Natives of Northern Ireland are not affected by this update.
Important Reminder for DV-2026 Selectees
If you are officially selected in the Diversity Visa 2026 lottery:
- Eligibility remains valid until September 30, 2026 (end of the U.S. fiscal year)
- Visa numbers are limited and may become unavailable before that date
- You must submit a complete DS-260 immigrant visa application to proceed
- Prepare required documents, including police certificates and a medical examination
- Attend your scheduled visa interview when notified
Failure to submit required documents on time may result in losing your opportunity for a Diversity Immigrant Visa.
Why This Update Is Important
The Diversity Visa Program operates under strict annual quotas authorized by U.S. law. Country eligibility is determined based on immigration statistics from the previous five years. Accuracy in selection results is critical to ensure compliance with program rules.
Applicants should always verify their status through official U.S. government websites and avoid relying on third-party notifications or unofficial messages.