DV-2026 Update: Cuba Ineligibility and UK Entrant Status Clarifications

The U.S. Department of State has issued an update for the Diversity Visa program affecting the 2026 program year (DV 2026). After reviewing the entry selection system, the Department determined that a small number of entrants saw incorrect results. Two groups are specifically impacted.

First, Cuban natives are not eligible for DV 2026 because more than 50,000 Cuban natives immigrated to the United States in the previous five years, as stated in U.S. law and the DV-2026 instructions. Second, some entrants from Great Britain (United Kingdom) and its dependent areas may have viewed a previously incorrect selection status. Entrants in that group are asked to re-check the official system using their saved confirmation numbers.

Immediate actions for DV-2026 entrants

Start with a self-check and take the next step that fits your situation:

• If you selected Cuba as your foreign state of chargeability, the Department has notified you that you’re ineligible for the 2026 program year. This applies even if an earlier screen appeared to show selection.
• If you are from Great Britain (United Kingdom) or one of its dependent areas, go to the official Entrant Status Check page and confirm your result using the unique confirmation number you saved after submitting your DV-2026 entry: https://dvprogram.state.gov/ESC.
• If your entry is selected and you wish to immigrate, remember that eligibility to apply runs only through September 30 of the fiscal year. Visa numbers can run out before that date.
  • To be scheduled for an interview, you must first submit a complete DS-260 application through the Consular Electronic Application Center for the DS-260: https://ceac.state.gov/IV.
  • If scheduled, arrive prepared with all required documentation and a medical exam.

Step-by-step: From status check to interview

1) Confirm your selection result
– Use the official Entrant Status Check page: https://dvprogram.state.gov/ESC.
– Enter the confirmation number you saved from your online entry registration to see whether your entry was selected for DV 2026.
– This step is especially important now for entrants from Great Britain (United Kingdom) and its dependent areas, because some results were previously reported incorrectly.

2) Submit the immigrant visa application
– If your entry is selected and you wish to immigrate, the next step is to file a complete DS-260.
– In order to be scheduled for an interview, selectees must first submit a complete DS-260 application.
– File the application through the Consular Electronic Application Center for the DS-260: https://ceac.state.gov/IV.

3) Get ready for the interview stage
– If you’re scheduled, bring all required documentation and a medical exam to your interview.
– Interviews occur while visa numbers remain available for that program year, and the window closes no later than September 30.

Department review and corrections

The Department of State reviewed the DV-2026 entry selection system and found limited issues that required corrections.

• For a small number of entrants from Cuba, the system may have shown that they were selected, even though they are not eligible for DV 2026. The Department has notified individuals who selected Cuba as their foreign state of chargeability that they’re ineligible for the 2026 program year.
• For a small number of entrants from Great Britain (United Kingdom) and its dependent areas, the Department determined that some selection statuses may have been previously reported incorrectly. Those entrants are asked to re-check the official system using their confirmation numbers.

Eligibility note for Cuban natives

Under U.S. law and as published in the DV-2026 instructions, Cuban natives are not eligible to participate in the 2026 program year.

• Reason: More than 50,000 Cuban natives immigrated to the United States in the previous five-year period.
• Consequence: When that threshold is exceeded, U.S. law bars natives of that country from participating in that DV program year.

This notice addresses DV 2026 only, and it applies to Cuban natives who entered that year’s DV process and to individuals who selected Cuba as their foreign state of chargeability.

Guidance for entrants who selected Cuba

If you selected Cuba as your foreign state of chargeability in your DV-2026 entry:

• The Department has notified you that you are ineligible for DV 2026. This applies even if you previously saw a screen that appeared to show selection.
• Because the law and the official instructions make Cuban natives ineligible for DV 2026, those entries cannot move forward in the 2026 program year.
• If you received a notification from the Department, follow that notice and understand that DV processing for your 2026 entry will not proceed.
• If you entered more than once or used different information, you still must follow the notification linked to the entry where you selected Cuba as your foreign state of chargeability.

Great Britain and dependent areas: Re-check instructions

For a small number of entrants from Great Britain (United Kingdom) and its dependent areas, the Department found that selection status may have been previously reported incorrectly.

• The Department asks DV-2026 entrants from Great Britain (United Kingdom) and its dependent areas to go to the Entrant Status Check page and use the unique confirmation number saved from their DV-2026 online entry registration to confirm whether their entry has been selected: https://dvprogram.state.gov/ESC.

For DV purposes, Great Britain (United Kingdom) includes the following dependent areas:

• 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

Please note: Northern Ireland is treated as a separate foreign state of chargeability for DV purposes, and natives of Northern Ireland are not affected by this notice.

Interview scheduling, documentation, and medical exam

Selection is the first step, not the last.

• If your entry is selected and you wish to immigrate, you must submit a complete DS-260 application before the Department can schedule you for an interview.
• No interview will be scheduled until a complete DS-260 is on file.
• If you are scheduled, be prepared to present all required documentation at the time of the interview.
• A medical exam is part of the process; have it completed and ready to present when you appear for your interview.
• Not being prepared at the interview can prevent completion within the program year.

Application window and visa availability

The update reminds selectees that, under U.S. law:

• Eligibility to apply for a Diversity Immigrant Visa extends only through the end of the fiscal year (September 30).
• Visas may become unavailable before that date if the Department issues all visa numbers authorized by Congress for that fiscal year.

Practical advice:

• Act promptly after confirming selection.
• Filing the DS-260 and preparing for the interview early gives you the best chance to complete the process while visa numbers are still available.
• Plan your steps with the September 30 deadline in mind and remember that availability can end earlier if all numbers are issued.

Action checklist you can use today

• Go to the Entrant Status Check page and review your DV-2026 result using your saved confirmation number: https://dvprogram.state.gov/ESC.
• If you selected Cuba as your foreign state of chargeability, note that you are ineligible for DV 2026 and follow any Department notification you received.
• If you are from Great Britain (United Kingdom) or a listed dependent area, re-check the Entrant Status Check to confirm whether your entry has been selected.
• If selected and you intend to immigrate, submit a complete DS-260 via the Consular Electronic Application Center for the DS-260: https://ceac.state.gov/IV.
• If scheduled for an interview, gather all required documentation and complete your medical exam before the appointment.
• Keep the program window in mind: the DV 2026 application period ends September 30 for eligibility to apply, and visa numbers can run out before then.

Scenario examples based on the update

• Cuban native who viewed a “selected” message earlier:
  • The Department’s review found that for a small number of entrants from Cuba, the system may have shown selection in error.
  • The Department has notified individuals who selected Cuba as their foreign state of chargeability that they’re ineligible for DV 2026. Your entry cannot proceed in the 2026 program year.
• Entrant from Great Britain (United Kingdom) or a dependent area who saw a result earlier:
  • The Department determined that some selection statuses for a small number of entrants may have been reported incorrectly.
  • Go to the Entrant Status Check page and use your saved confirmation number to verify whether your entry has been selected: https://dvprogram.state.gov/ESC.
• Selectee from an eligible country who wants to move forward:
  • Submit a complete DS-260 so that you can be scheduled for an interview.
  • If you’re scheduled, arrive with all required documentation and a medical exam.
  • Remember that eligibility to apply ends on September 30, and visa numbers may be exhausted before that date.

Final note and practical guidance

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, mid-year corrections to official systems can create confusion for entrants, which is why the Department’s clear instruction to use the Entrant Status Check and rely on your saved confirmation number matters.

• For DV 2026, the Department has taken the extra step of notifying individuals who selected Cuba as their foreign state of chargeability about their ineligibility.
• It has also asked affected entrants from Great Britain (United Kingdom) and its dependent areas to re-verify their results.
• The Diversity Visa process always runs on a set yearly clock, ending by September 30, and the number of visas can be used up before that date.

If you’re selected and wish to immigrate, the surest way to stay on track is to:

1. Submit the DS-260 promptly.
2. Follow all official notices.
3. Be fully prepared if you’re scheduled for an interview (documentation and medical exam).