Green Card Lottery Updates 2025-26: Corrections, Warnings & How to Protect Yourself

The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program — popularly known as the Green Card Lottery — has seen major updates this year. The U.S. State Department has issued a new warning against scams, announced corrections for earlier selection results in some countries, and clarified eligibility changes for the upcoming DV-2026 program. Here’s everything you need to know.

State Department Issues Scam Warning

The U.S. State Department has warned applicants about fake messages and fraudulent websites claiming to guarantee a Green Card or confirm “winning” entries. The Department emphasized that the U.S. government never emails or mails selection notices. Applicants can check their results only through the official Entrant Status Check portal at dvprogram.state.gov.

• Registration for the Diversity Visa program is completely free.
• Any demand for money to “increase your chances” or to claim your selection is a scam.
• Always use the official U.S. government website and avoid third-party agents or paid “lottery services.”

Corrections for Cuba and United Kingdom Applicants

The State Department has issued a correction notice for the DV-2026 applicant pool. Two key updates were announced:

• Cuba: Cuban nationals are no longer eligible for DV-2026 because more than 50,000 individuals from Cuba have immigrated to the United States over the past five years. Some earlier “selected” entries from Cuba were released in error and have been revoked.
• United Kingdom: A small number of DV-2025 applicants from the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories were mistakenly listed as selected. They are advised to re-check their results using their original confirmation number on the official DV website.

These corrections underline the importance of verifying your status only through the official State Department portal. Do not rely on social media posts or third-party emails claiming to announce official selections.

DV-2025 Results: How to Check and What Comes Next

The results for the DV-2025 lottery remain available until September 30, 2025. If you participated in that draw, you can check your status by visiting the official portal and entering your confirmation number, last name, and birth year.

1. Visit dvprogram.state.gov/ESC to check your result.
2. If selected, complete and submit the DS-260 immigrant visa application form online.
3. Attend your visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate and bring required documents such as your medical report and police certificates.
4. Remember that being selected does not guarantee a visa — all eligibility criteria and background checks still apply.

Why the Updates and Warnings Matter

The Diversity Visa program has long been a target for scammers, fake agents, and fraudulent websites. Because participation is free and global, many applicants fall victim to promises of guaranteed visas or early selection alerts. The State Department has tightened security, corrected technical errors, and introduced new fraud-detection measures to protect applicants.

These updates are meant to ensure fairness, transparency, and accurate eligibility enforcement across all participating countries.

How to Protect Yourself

• Keep your confirmation number safe — without it, you cannot check your result.
• Access the Entrant Status Check only via dvprogram.state.gov.
• Ignore emails or messages claiming you have been “pre-selected” or asking for payment.
• Never share your personal details or passport information with unverified agents or websites.
• If you suspect fraud, report it directly to the U.S. Department of State or local authorities.

The Green Card Lottery remains one of the few legitimate pathways for individuals from eligible countries to obtain U.S. permanent residence. Staying informed and vigilant helps ensure that your opportunity is protected from fraud and misinformation.

Stay alert, stay official, and always double-check through trusted U.S. government channels.