The United States Embassy in Monrovia has provided important clarifications regarding prevalent misconceptions about the ongoing 2026 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery. They caution that misleading information from dishonest visa vendors is contributing to the rejection of numerous applications from Liberians each year.

The Diversity Visa Lottery, commonly known as the "Green Card Lottery," is the sole official lottery program for U.S. immigrant visas. Registration for DV-2026 commenced on October 2, 2024, and will conclude on November 5, 2024. The embassy has reiterated that no applications will be accepted after this deadline.

In a press release dated October 8, 2024, the U.S. Embassy addressed various myths propagated by visa vendors. One prevalent misconception highlighted by the embassy is the belief that including a spouse or children in the application diminishes the applicant's chances of success.

"Every year, numerous Liberians fall victim to deceitful visa vendors who exploit falsehoods about the DV process for profit," the embassy remarked. It emphasized that the selection for the Diversity Visa is random and determined by the distribution of available visas across different regions and countries. The marital status or the presence of children in the application does not influence the selection process.

Additionally, the embassy cautioned against the incorrect notion that applicants can list other individuals' children on their applications. It clarified that only biological children, stepchildren, or legally adopted children under the age of 21 should be included, regardless of whether they reside with the applicant. Omitting biological children could result in disqualification of the application.

The embassy emphasized that there is no minimum age requirement for participating in the lottery; however, applicants must be high school graduates or have an equivalent qualification recognized in the U.S. During the visa interview, applicants may be required to provide their West African Examinations Council (WAEC) scores.

The embassy strongly advised against paying third-party vendors for assistance, highlighting that the application process is free and can only be completed online through the official website: https://dvprogram.state.gov/. The statement warned that any website requesting a fee for application is not affiliated with the U.S. government.

Furthermore, the embassy pointed out that submitting fraudulent documents constitutes a crime under U.S. law and may also breach Liberian law, potentially resulting in severe penalties, including a lifetime prohibition on traveling to the U.S.

Additionally, the embassy dispelled the misconception that an I-864 Affidavit of Support is necessary for the Diversity Visa interview. The statement clarified that Affidavits of Support are not required for DV applications and do not enhance the likelihood of obtaining a visa.

The U.S. Embassy urged all applicants to be cautious of fraudulent emails, websites, and letters that may misrepresent themselves as part of the application process. Scammers frequently employ these methods to obtain money or personal information. The embassy reiterated that the U.S. government does not solicit payments through email or letters, and there is no fee associated with applying for the Diversity Visa.