The US Department of State (DOS) has issued an update regarding the 2026 Diversity Visa (DV) Program, identifying entry selection errors affecting a small number of applicants from Cuba and Great Britain (United Kingdom) and its dependent territories.
Cuba: Ineligible for DV-2026
- Under US law, countries with over 50,000 immigrants to the US in the past five years are ineligible for the DV program.
- Cuban nationals were mistakenly shown as selected in the DV-2026 Entrant Status Check.
- The Department has notified affected individuals that Cuba is not eligible for DV-2026, and those entries are invalid.
Great Britain and Dependent Areas: Status Recheck Advised
- A small number of DV-2026 entrants from Great Britain and its dependent areas may have received incorrect selection status.
- Affected individuals are advised to recheck their status using their unique confirmation number via the Entrant Status Check.’
- This update does not affect Northern Ireland, which is treated as a separate foreign state of chargeability for DV purposes.
DV Program Reminders
- Selection does not guarantee a visa interview or issuance.
- DV visas are limited to 55,000 annually, and may run out before the fiscal year ends on September 30.
- Selectees must submit a complete DS-260 application and be prepared with all required documentation, including a medical exam, for their interview.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.