Bangladesh among 19 nations ineligible for US diversity visa lottery 2026

Bangladesh is among 19 nations deemed ineligible to participate in the 2026 Diversity Visa lottery, a US immigration programme that randomly selects individuals for permanent residency opportunities. The exclusion stems from elevated emigration levels to the United States, a criterion used to determine participant eligibility annually.

The Diversity Visa programme, commonly known as the green card lottery, aims to diversify the immigrant population in the United States by providing visa opportunities to nationals of countries with historically low immigration rates. Nations with disproportionately high numbers of recent immigrants are regularly excluded to maintain programme objectives.

Bangladeshi nationals who wish to migrate to the United States through legal channels have access to other immigration pathways, including employment-based visas, family sponsorship programmes, and other visa categories. The decision affects thousands of Bangladeshis who annually participate in the lottery hoping to secure permanent residency.

The US State Department updates the list of ineligible countries annually based on immigration data and trends. Officials review emigration patterns to ensure the lottery continues to benefit countries with traditionally lower immigration representation in America.