Green Card Lottery Registration Delayed for DV-2027 Cycle
The U.S. Department of State has confirmed a delay in opening the DV-2027 Diversity Visa Lottery registration, which typically begins in early October each year. As of October 20, 2025, the State Department has not released official registration dates, stating only that dates "will be widely publicized in the coming months." This unexpected delay affects millions of prospective applicants worldwide hoping to compete for one of 55,000 available green cards.
Immigration attorneys and industry experts speculate the delay is directly linked to implementing a historic new $1 electronic registration fee, which takes effect on October 16, 2025. This marks the first time in the program's history that participants must pay simply to enter the annual lottery.
Major Changes to the Diversity Visa Lottery Program
The DV-2027 cycle introduces several significant changes that will affect how applicants register for the green card lottery:
- $1 Registration Fee: All applicants must pay $1 electronically when submitting their DV lottery entry, effective October 16, 2025
- Payment Required at Submission: The fee must be paid online via the official U.S. government DV entry portal when clicking the "submit" button
- Revenue Generation: The State Department estimates this fee will generate approximately $25 million annually from an estimated 25 million registrants
- Cost Distribution: The change distributes program management costs across all registrants instead of only the 55,000 lottery winners who pay the $330 visa application fee
- Fraud Reduction: The nominal fee is designed to reduce specious registrations by actors seeking to exploit unsuspecting potential entrants
The final rule establishing the $1 registration fee was published in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025, taking effect immediately. However, the fee becomes mandatory for DV-2027 applicants starting October 16, 2025.
Who Is Affected by These Green Card Lottery Updates
These changes impact all prospective diversity visa lottery applicants for the DV-2027 cycle. Here's what different groups need to know:
For First-Time DV Lottery Applicants
If you're applying to the green card lottery for the first time, you'll need to budget for the $1 registration fee in addition to preparing your compliant passport photo. This fee is separate from the $330 Diversity Visa application fee, which only applies if you're selected in the lottery. Ensure your passport photo meets all official requirements before registration opens.
For Previous DV Lottery Participants
Even if you've entered the diversity visa lottery in previous years at no cost, you must now pay the $1 electronic fee for DV-2027 registration. The payment process will be integrated into the official entry portal, so prepare a valid payment method before the registration period begins.
For Immigration Attorneys and Visa Consultants
Legal professionals assisting clients with DV lottery applications should update their fee structures and client communications to reflect the new $1 registration requirement. The State Department warns that this change may help identify fraudulent services, as legitimate registration will always cost exactly $1 through the official portal.
How to Prepare for DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration
While waiting for the official registration dates, take these steps to ensure you're ready when the entry period opens:
- Verify Your Eligibility: Confirm your country of birth qualifies for the diversity visa program and you meet education or work experience requirements
- Prepare a Compliant Photo: Obtain a recent passport-style photograph meeting strict U.S. visa photo specifications, including proper dimensions, white background, and correct head positioning
- Gather Required Information: Collect personal details for yourself and all family members, including full names, birth dates, and birthplaces
- Set Up Payment Method: Ensure you have a valid credit or debit card ready to pay the $1 electronic registration fee when submitting your entry
- Monitor Official Sources: Check the State Department's official DV lottery website regularly for the announcement of registration dates
- Avoid Scams: Only use the official U.S. government website for DV lottery registration—never pay anyone more than $1 to submit your initial entry
Important Dates and Timeline for DV-2027
Based on State Department announcements and typical program schedules, here's the expected timeline for the DV-2027 diversity visa lottery:
- September 16, 2025: Final rule for $1 registration fee published in Federal Register
- October 16, 2025: $1 electronic registration fee requirement takes effect
- Late October/November 2025: Expected registration period opening (exact dates to be announced)
- May 2026: State Department announces lottery results to selected applicants
- October 2026 - September 2027: Visa interview and processing period for lottery winners
Frequently Asked Questions About the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery
Why Is the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration Delayed?
The State Department has not officially disclosed the reason for the delay. However, immigration experts believe the delay is related to implementing the new $1 electronic registration fee system, which requires updates to the official entry portal and payment processing infrastructure. The Department stated that registration dates will be "widely publicized in the coming months."
Is the $1 Fee Refundable If I'm Not Selected?
No, the $1 electronic registration fee is non-refundable regardless of whether you're selected in the diversity visa lottery. This fee covers the administrative costs of processing all entries and is separate from the $330 Diversity Visa application fee that only selected winners pay when applying for their visa.
Will I Need a Passport to Register for DV-2027?
Not for the DV-2027 cycle. While the Trump administration proposed a rule requiring passports for all DV Lottery applicants in August 2025, this requirement will not take effect for DV-2027 due to the required public comment and review timeline. However, you will need a compliant passport photo that meets official visa photo specifications when submitting your entry.
How Many People Apply for the Green Card Lottery Each Year?
The State Department estimates approximately 25 million people register for the diversity visa lottery annually. Of these millions of applicants, only 55,000 immigrant visas are available each year for people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
What Happens If I'm Selected in the DV-2027 Lottery?
If selected in May 2026, you'll receive notification through the official DV lottery website and must submit a formal visa application with the $330 application fee. You'll then attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate between October 2026 and September 2027. Selection does not guarantee a visa—you must still meet all eligibility requirements and pass background checks.
What You Need to Know About the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery
The DV-2027 Diversity Visa Lottery represents a turning point for the program with the introduction of the first-ever registration fee. While the $1 charge is nominal, it signals the State Department's effort to reduce fraudulent entries and distribute program costs more equitably among all participants. The delayed opening also suggests significant technical updates are underway to implement the new payment system.
Prospective applicants should monitor the official State Department Diversity Visa website for registration date announcements and ensure they have compliant passport photos ready before the entry period opens. Remember that your visa photo must meet strict U.S. requirements for dimensions, background color, and facial positioning—using a professional service like VisaPics can help ensure your photo meets all specifications and won't cause your entry to be disqualified. With millions competing for just 55,000 green cards, proper preparation and attention to photo requirements can make the difference between acceptance and rejection.