The US Diversity Visa and Nigeria: The Rule, the Exceptions and the Scams to Avoid
Nigeria is the only African country excluded from the US Diversity Visa programme, because more than 50,000 Nigerians immigrated to the United States in the previous five years. Here is how the rule works, the exceptions that may still allow some Nigerians to enter, and how to avoid scams.
By the UISC BD Editorial Desk · United Information Service Center · Published 14 September 2026 · 5-minute read
This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Always check the US Department of State's official instructions for the current programme year.
Questions about Nigeria's exclusion are trending in Nigeria this month, with major Nigerian outlets explaining why the country is not on the eligible list.
What the Diversity Visa Programme Is
The Diversity Immigrant Visa programme, often called the "green card lottery", is run by the US Department of State. Each year it makes immigrant visas available to people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. Entrants are chosen at random by computer, and entry is free.
Why Nigeria Is Not Eligible
A country is excluded if more than 50,000 of its natives immigrated to the United States through family and employment routes in the previous five years. Nigeria has passed that threshold, so natives of Nigeria cannot enter based on their own country of birth.
Nigeria is the only African country on the excluded list.
Other Excluded Countries
For DV-2026, countries excluded alongside Nigeria included Brazil, Canada, China (mainland), Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela and Vietnam. The full list appears in the Department of State's instructions for each year.
The Exceptions: "Chargeability"
Being born in an excluded country does not always end the matter. Under the programme's rules on chargeability:
- Through a spouse: you may be able to claim your spouse's country of birth if it is eligible, as long as you are both named on the entry.
- Through parents: in limited cases, you may claim a parent's country of birth if neither parent was born in or resident of your country of birth at the time of your birth.
Read the official instructions carefully — using chargeability incorrectly can lead to disqualification.
Other Requirements
Entrants must have at least a high school education or its equivalent, or two years of qualifying work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.
When Registration Happens
The DV-2026 entry period ran from 2 October to 7 November 2024. Registration for each programme year typically opens around October. Dates and eligible countries can change, so check the Department of State's website each year.
How to Avoid Scams
- Entry is free. Anyone asking for payment to "enter" you is not official.
- Use only the official website, which ends in .state.gov.
- Selectees are notified only through the official Entrant Status Check — never by email, text or social media message asking for money.
- Keep your confirmation number safe; you need it to check your status.
Other Routes to Consider
Nigerians interested in studying or working abroad can explore student visas, skilled-worker routes and scholarship programmes in many countries — each with its own official requirements.
More From Nigeria
See our guides to free daily data for students and the TETFund National Research Fund.
Related reading
- Riyadh Real Estate Balance Programme 2026: Land Plots at Up to SAR 1,500/m²
- SA National Parks Week 2026: Free Park Entry and How to Plan for Next Year
- FTC Refunds 2026: Grubhub Payments and How to Spot a Fake Refund Message
- Why Some UK Pensioners Get Two State Pension Payments in September 2026
Sources
- "Diversity Visa Program — entry," US Department of State — travel.state.gov
- "US green card lottery: full list of countries excluded from programme," Vanguard — vanguardngr.com
- "US green card lottery 2026: America explains why Nigeria, 18 countries excluded," Legit.ng — legit.ng
- "Why Nigeria is the only African country excluded from DV-2026," CrispNG — crispng.com
Comments