Natives of Venezuela could not enter DV-2026
Venezuela was on the DV-2026 list of countries whose natives could not enter, because more than 50,000 of its natives immigrated to the United States in the previous five years. The list changes every year and no DV-2027 list has been published. If Venezuela is excluded again, a person born there can still enter only through a spouse’s country of birth, or a parent’s country of birth if neither parent was born in or resident of Venezuela at the time of birth.
Country of birth normally determines chargeability. Citizenship or current residence alone does not replace it. Check spouse, parent and territory exceptions in the actual cycle’s instructions.
Official DV-2026 archive ↗ Official DV instructions ↗Partial suspension affects Venezuela immigrant visas
The published PP 10998 guidance includes Venezuela in the partial-suspension list that covers immigrant visas, including Diversity Visas, with limited exceptions such as some dual-national cases. “Partial” does not mean DV is automatically allowed; it means an individual assessment is needed.
Nationality, passport, location and visa validity at the effective date can matter. Limited exceptions require individual review. Do not treat a country selector as a final eligibility ruling.
PP 10998 guidance ↗How many people from Venezuela enter and are selected
Historical rate for Venezuela: about 1 in 215 people entered (counting spouses and children) was selected across DV-2019 to DV-2021. Selection is a random drawing; this is not a prediction.
| Program year | Principal entrants | People incl. family | Selected incl. family |
|---|---|---|---|
| DV-2019 | 151,014 | 345,838 | 1,282 |
| DV-2020 | 137,261 | 314,628 | 1,068 |
| DV-2021 | 118,158 | 248,704 | 1,872 |
| DV-2024 | — | — | — |
| DV-2025 | — | — | — |
| DV-2026 | — | — | — |
Per-country entry counts are published only through DV-2021; selectee counts through DV-2026. A dash means no figure was published.
What to prepare if you were born in Venezuela
- Passport: valid and unexpired, with its number, issuing country and expiry date ready, and a JPEG scan of the biographic and signature page (5 MB or less). Check it free on your device →
- Photo: 600 × 600 pixels, JPEG, 240 KB or less, taken within six months, head 50–69% of the height, no glasses. Frame it free →
- Your name in the Roman alphabet, exactly as in your passport, with your city and country of birth as recorded in your documents.
- Your family: your spouse and every unmarried child under 21, each with a compliant photo, even if they will not immigrate. See who must be listed →
- Your qualification: a formal 12-year education or two qualifying years of work in the past five. Check the rules →
Run the complete entry check to see your acceptance score and every problem before you submit on the official site.
After selection: documents from Venezuela
A person born in Venezuela may need police or civil records from more than one country because of past residence, marriage, birth or arrest history. The format of each record depends on the country that issued it, not only on your nationality: use the official document finder for every country involved.
Country-specific document finder ↗What happens after selection → · Documents after selection →
Questions about Venezuela
Can someone born in Venezuela enter the DV lottery?
Not in DV-2026: Venezuela was on that cycle’s excluded list. The list is republished every year. A person born there may still enter through a spouse’s or, under strict conditions, a parent’s country of birth.
What are the DV lottery odds for Venezuela?
Across DV-2019 to DV-2021, about 1 in 215 people entered from Venezuela (counting spouses and children) was selected, according to official State Department figures. Selection is a random drawing within each region, so this is a historical ratio, not a prediction.
Does a visa restriction apply to Venezuela passport holders?
Yes, in the published PP 10998 guidance: The published PP 10998 guidance includes Venezuela in the partial-suspension list that covers immigrant visas, including Diversity Visas, with limited exceptions such as some dual-national cases. “Partial” does not mean DV is automatically allowed; it means an individual assessment is needed..
Do I need a passport to enter from Venezuela?
Yes, from DV-2027: the current regulation requires valid, unexpired passport details and a JPEG scan of the biographic and signature page of 5 MB or less, unless a limited legal exemption applies. Check your passport free with our passport check.
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