Native Country

Native Country in most cases means the country in which you were born. However, if you were born in an ineligible country, you can claim native country through spouse and parents.

Claiming native country through spouse

You can claim your spouse's country of birth as your native country provided your spouse was born in an eligible country. If you win the lottery, you and your spouse must obtain visas and enter the U.S. simultaneously.

Claiming native country through parents

You can claim your parent's country of birth as your native country provided neither of your parents was a permanent resident in the country of your birth when you were born.

All countries are eligible to participate in the Green Card Lottery EXCEPT:

Canada	China (mainland-born)	Columbia	The Dominican Republic
El Salvador	Haiti	India	Jamaica
Mexico	Pakistan	The Philippines	South Korea
The United Kingdom and its dependent Countries			Vietnam

Note: Northern Ireland, Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR, and Macau SAR are eligible.