DV Lottery Eligible Countries: Who Can Apply and Odds by Region

The first question in DV lottery eligibility is simple: where were you born? But the rules around country eligibility are more nuanced than most people realize — and getting them wrong at registration results in disqualification.

This post covers which countries are eligible, which are excluded, what exceptions exist, and how odds vary dramatically depending on where you're from.

The Basic Rule: Country of Birth, Not Citizenship

Eligibility for the Diversity Visa program is determined by your country of birth, not your citizenship, nationality, or current country of residence.

This distinction matters:

• A person born in India who is now a Canadian citizen cannot enter using Canada — India is excluded, and citizenship is irrelevant.
• A person born in Nigeria who lives in the United Kingdom can enter — Nigeria is eligible, and UK residence is irrelevant.
• A person born in China (mainland) who has emigrated to France cannot enter using France — China is excluded, and French residence doesn't change this.

Excluded Countries

A country is excluded from the DV program if it sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States over the previous five consecutive years. The excluded list changes each year as immigration patterns shift, but it typically includes:

• Bangladesh (high immigration years, intermittently excluded)
• Brazil
• Canada
• China (mainland)
• Colombia (intermittently excluded)
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Haiti (intermittently excluded)
• Honduras
• India
• Jamaica
• Mexico
• Nigeria (intermittently excluded in recent cycles)
• Pakistan (intermittently excluded)
• Philippines
• South Korea
• United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland)
• Vietnam

The exact excluded list is published with each year's DV program instructions. Check the official list for the program year you're entering — the list for DV-2027 will be published when the registration window opens.

Important Exceptions

Several politically or geographically distinct areas are treated separately from the larger country they're associated with:

Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR — Treated as separate entities from mainland China. Nationals born in Hong Kong or Macau are eligible even though mainland China is excluded.

Taiwan — Treated as a separate chargeability area from mainland China. Nationals born in Taiwan are eligible.

Northern Ireland — Treated as a separate chargeability area from the United Kingdom. Nationals born in Northern Ireland are eligible even though the rest of the UK is excluded.

Dependent territories — Some overseas territories of excluded countries have their own chargeability. For example, people born in Bermuda (a British Overseas Territory) may claim Bermuda rather than the UK.

If you were born in one of these areas, use that specific area — not the mainland country — on your registration form.

Cross-Chargeability: Using Your Spouse's Country of Birth

If you were born in an ineligible country, you may still enter the lottery by claiming the country of birth of your spouse — provided your spouse was born in an eligible country and you both plan to enter the United States simultaneously.

This is called cross-chargeability. Both spouses must be listed on the same entry, and both must intend to immigrate together. You cannot claim cross-chargeability if you're applying alone while your spouse remains behind.

Example: A person born in India (ineligible) married to someone born in Nepal (eligible) may claim Nepal as their country of chargeability, as long as both are included on the entry and intend to travel together.

Additionally, a child born in a country where neither parent was born or legally resident at the time of the child's birth may claim the chargeability of a parent born in a qualifying country.

Incorrectly claiming a country of chargeability you're not entitled to is treated as a material misrepresentation — it will disqualify your entry and can affect future immigration applications.

Odds by Region: How Location Affects Your Chances

The 55,000 visas are distributed among six regions. Each region has a cap based on how many qualifying entries came from that region. Within a region, selection is random — but the odds vary significantly depending on how many people from your country enter.

Africa consistently receives the largest regional allocation — often 40% or more of total visas. Countries like Ethiopia, Egypt, Cameroon, Congo, and others in sub-Saharan and North Africa participate in high numbers, but the per-country selection odds still vary.

Europe typically receives the second-largest allocation. Ukraine, Albania, Russia, and Eastern European countries have historically had strong odds.

Asia receives a smaller proportional allocation relative to the number of eligible entrants. Countries like Nepal, Uzbekistan, Iran, and others in Central and South Asia participate heavily, creating stronger competition within the region.

Oceania has the fewest eligible applicants, which historically means some of the best odds per entrant — particularly for nationals from smaller Pacific island nations.

South America includes eligible countries like Argentina, Chile, and Peru, with moderate participation.

North America — only a handful of countries qualify; the Bahamas and other Caribbean nations are among the eligible ones.

What Happens If Your Country Becomes Ineligible Mid-Cycle?

Eligibility is based on the rules in effect at the time of registration. If you entered during the registration window and your country was eligible at that time, you remain eligible for that program year even if the list changes later.

However, the excluded country list is determined fresh each fiscal year. A country that is eligible for DV-2027 may become ineligible for DV-2028 if immigration numbers from that country increase significantly.

After You Confirm Eligibility

Knowing you're eligible is the first step. The full eligibility requirement also includes meeting an educational or work experience standard — a high school diploma (or 12 years of formal education) or two years of qualifying skilled work experience within the past five years.

Check your country's eligibility first, then confirm you meet the education or work experience threshold, then register during the October–November window.

The US Diversity Visa Lottery Guide covers both eligibility and the full registration-through-interview process — including cross-chargeability scenarios and what to do if your case is complicated.