US Diversity Visa Program: 2026 Guide for Canadians

As you can see in the 2026 list, Canada is not an eligible country for the US DV program. However, Canadians may still be eligible to apply for a US Diversity visa in certain scenarios, such as:

• You were not born in Canada but later became a citizen: Diversity visa eligibility is strictly based on your country of birth, i.e., where you are considered a “native”. If you were born in one of the eligible countries and later obtained your Canadian citizenship, you may be able to apply
• You were born in Canada but your spouse was born in an eligible country: In this case, you may claim chargeability to your spouse’s country of birth, provided both of you are named on the selected entry, have been found eligible for and accordingly issued diversity visas, and enter the US together using your DVs
• Through one of your parent’s country of birth (if eligible): If neither of your parents were born or were legal residents in Canada at the time of your birth, you may claim the country of birth of one of your parents if it is an eligible country for the DV program

If you claim alternate chargeability through your spouse or parents, you will have to provide a detailed explanation on the E-DV Entry Form and submit supporting evidence.

Additional Requirements

In addition, you must meet one of the following requirements:

• You have at least a high school education or its equivalent, after the successful completion of a 12-year course of formal elementary and secondary education (correspondence programs or equivalency certificates will not suffice)
• You have at least two years of work experience within the previous five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience to perform

Plus, you must not be otherwise inadmissible to the United States.

Since Canada is not an eligible country for the DV program, you will first have to determine whether you qualify (based on your actual birth country or through chargeability) and then plan ahead on how you can prove that to DOS, before you apply. Call Total Law at +1 844 312 4979 for further advice and application support.

The first step of applying for the Diversity Visa program (registration period) is free. Be aware of organisations who may attempt to extort applicants out of their money by charging to make an application.

If your application is approved, you can begin the visa application process. The processing fee of a diversity immigration visa is $330.00, but you may also have to bear additional costs, such as:

• Health insurance and medical examination costs
• Traveling to and from the US consulate during the entire application process
• Costs of getting the proper photographs and documents necessary for the procedure
• USCIS immigrant fee of $235 after your immigrant visa is approved
• The cost of traveling to the U.S. if your application works out in the end

Remember that further costs may be involved depending on your circumstances. This is why you should have a trusted, professional attorney from Total Law guiding you throughout the DV registration and application process, who can give you detailed instructions and advise on a breakdown of costs.

All selected and eligible DV applicants must obtain their visa (or apply for an adjustment of status if you are already in the US) by the end of the fiscal year in which they have applied for a DV registration.

At the end of your immigrant visa interview, the consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied. In case of an approval, they will also let you know how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you.

A diversity visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance unless your medical examination expires sooner. Plan your travel to the US accordingly before your visa expires.