Many Sierra Leoneans dream of a life in the United States. Every year people spend a lot of resources into programmes that promise to make the American dream come true. Unfortunately, most of these endeavors have proven disappointingly futile.

However, there is a better, legal and cost-effective way out. The Diversity Visa (DV) Program 2026 offers an opportunity for people to immigrate to the US with their spouses and kids. 

The “diversity immigrant” programme was created under the Section 203(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The US Department of State administers the annual visa programme which caters for countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States.  

About 55,000 people can enter the DV programme each year through its official website. Visas will go to six geographic regions with a maximum of seven percent available to persons born in any single country. 

Intending registrants can go through a multi-step application process with strict deadlines. The registration period for the 2026 DV program is October 2 2024 to November 5 2024.

Around 4 to 11 million Africans enter the program every year. Around 70,000 to 1 million of this figure are entrants from Sierra Leone. In 2023 522 were selected. 

Important Things to Note about the DV Program 

There is no cost in registering for the  DV program. However, it has specific education and work requirements people intending to register should meet. 

At least a high school education or its equivalent and at least two years job experience are required. The job is specified to be one that requires at least two years training.

There are no official ‘DV Agents’. Individuals can complete their entries for the program at home, work or a public facility. 

This is not suggesting that an individual cannot complete the registration on behalf of the other. It just means that everyone can do it. Whether an entrant enters by themselves or through an agent, the chances of success are equal. 

More than one Entry means Instant Disqualification

Perhaps the most important thing to note about the DV program is that registrants can only enter once. 

Any other entry will lead to the disqualification of the participant. The belief that more chances increase an entrant’s chances of success is false. It’s rather a counterproductive move.  

After registration, people should consider telling those who are likely to also do the same for them. This can prevent incidences of multiple entries. Not completing the entry form correctly can also lead to disqualification.

Photo Requirements 

The photo one submits during the registration should also be carefully taken. 

Entrants must ensure to submit photos of themselves that comply with the photo requirement. This also goes for those listing their spouses and dependents, as the wrong photo can lead to disqualification. 

Photos are required to be clear, without shadows and produce the skin tone accurately. Further instructions can be found here.

Example of a photo meeting the DV requirements
Photo credits: US Department of State

The Confirmation Number

After submitting the entry, entrants should ensure to print their confirmation number. It is on the confirmation screen that displays after an individual submits an entry. The confirmation number is 16 characters long, comprising numbers and letters. It is used for the Entrant Status Check (ESC), which is a way of finding out whether an entry was selected. If this happens to be the case, selectees will find instructions on further steps on the ESC page.