Historic Change: Green Card Lottery No Longer Free
The U.S. Department of State announced on September 16, 2025, that all Diversity Visa (DV-2027) lottery applicants must pay a $1 electronic registration fee when submitting their entry starting October 16, 2025. This marks the first time in the program's history that the green card lottery will no longer be completely free to enter. The new fee takes effect immediately for all DV-2027 applications, ending decades of free participation in the diversity visa program.
The registration period for DV-2027 is expected to open in mid-October 2025, though the U.S. Department of State has not yet announced exact dates. This delay from the typical early October opening is attributed to technical updates needed to implement the new $1 registration fee payment system.
Key Changes for DV-2027 Green Card Lottery
The DV-2027 program introduces several important updates that all applicants need to know before submitting their entries:
- $1 Registration Fee Required: Every applicant must pay $1 when clicking submit on dvprogram.state.gov, non-refundable even if not selected
- Electronic Payment Only: The fee must be paid electronically at the time of filing using credit card, debit card, or other accepted payment methods
- Existing $330 Fee Still Applies: Selected applicants must still pay the $330 Diversity Visa application fee during the interview process
- Registration Delay Expected: DV-2027 opening delayed from typical early October to mid-October 2025 for technical implementation
- One Entry Per Person Rule Unchanged: Submitting multiple entries will result in automatic disqualification from the lottery
- Photo Requirements Remain Strict: Digital photos must meet specific U.S. passport photo specifications including size, background, and composition standards
The State Department explained that this $1 fee reflects operational costs including annual system reviews, data storage, automated randomized selection, and security reviews. The change distributes costs more evenly across all registrants instead of placing the entire burden on the small percentage who are selected to apply for a visa.
Who Is Affected by the New Green Card Lottery Fee
The $1 registration fee applies to all DV-2027 applicants worldwide, regardless of country of origin or eligibility status. Approximately 14-20 million people enter the diversity visa lottery each year.
For First-Time Applicants
If you're applying to the green card lottery for the first time, you'll need to prepare a valid payment method before registration opens. Ensure your credit or debit card has international payment capabilities, as the State Department's system may require cards that work with U.S. payment processors. Have your passport photo ready in advance, as you'll need to upload it during the registration process along with your payment.
For Previous DV Lottery Participants
If you've entered the diversity visa program in previous years when it was free, you must now budget for the $1 fee per entry. Remember that the fee is non-refundable, so only submit one complete and accurate entry. Previous registrations do not carry over, so you must register again for DV-2027 even if you applied for DV-2026 or earlier programs.
For Family Members
Each adult family member who wants to participate must submit a separate entry and pay a separate $1 fee. However, if you're selected, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included as derivative applicants on your single entry without needing their own separate lottery entries. Plan your family strategy carefully to avoid unnecessary fees.
How to Register for DV-2027 Green Card Lottery - Step by Step
Follow these steps to successfully register for the DV-2027 diversity visa lottery when registration opens in October 2025:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to dvprogram.state.gov (the only legitimate site) and wait for registration to open mid-October 2025
- Prepare Your Digital Photo: Upload a recent digital photo meeting U.S. passport photo requirements (2x2 inches, white background, neutral expression)
- Complete the Electronic Form: Enter your personal information including name, birth date, country of birth, education level, and contact details accurately
- Add Family Members: Include your spouse and unmarried children under 21 as derivative applicants on your single entry form
- Pay the $1 Registration Fee: Submit payment electronically using credit card, debit card, or other accepted method when clicking the submit button
- Save Your Confirmation Number: Print or screenshot your confirmation number immediately - you'll need it to check results in May 2026
- Submit Only Once: Do not submit multiple entries as this will result in automatic disqualification from the entire lottery
Important Dates and Timeline for DV-2027
Mark these critical dates on your calendar to ensure you don't miss any deadlines for the DV-2027 green card lottery:
- September 16, 2025: New $1 registration fee rule published in Federal Register and became effective immediately
- October 16, 2025: $1 fee requirement officially begins for all diversity visa lottery registrations submitted after this date
- Mid-October 2025 (TBA): DV-2027 registration period opens on dvprogram.state.gov for approximately 30-day window
- Mid-November 2025 (TBA): DV-2027 registration period closes - no late entries accepted under any circumstances
- May 2026: DV-2027 lottery results become available for checking on dvprogram.state.gov using confirmation numbers
- October 2026 - September 2027: Selected applicants complete interviews at U.S. embassies and receive diversity visas if approved
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Card Lottery Changes
Why Is the Green Card Lottery No Longer Free?
The U.S. Department of State introduced the $1 fee to more fairly distribute the operational costs of running the annual diversity visa lottery across all participants. Previously, only the approximately 50,000 selected winners paid fees, while the system processed millions of entries. The new fee covers data storage, system maintenance, security reviews, and the automated selection process that all registrants benefit from.
What Happens If I'm Not Selected - Do I Get My $1 Back?
No, the $1 registration fee is non-refundable under all circumstances. Whether you're selected, not selected, disqualified, or decide to withdraw your application, you will not receive a refund. The fee covers the cost of processing your entry and is charged at the time of submission when you click the submit button on the official website.
Can I Still Apply If I Don't Have a Credit Card?
Yes, the State Department accepts multiple electronic payment methods beyond credit cards. You can use debit cards, prepaid cards with international capabilities, or other electronic payment methods accepted by the dvprogram.state.gov system. Check the official website when registration opens for a complete list of accepted payment methods and ensure your chosen method works with U.S. payment processors.
Do I Need a Passport to Enter the DV-2027 Lottery?
Currently, you do not need a passport to register for the DV-2027 green card lottery. However, the Trump administration proposed a rule requiring passports for all diversity visa applicants, published in the Federal Register on August 5, 2025. This proposed passport requirement will not be implemented for DV-2027 due to the time needed for finalization, but may apply to future lottery programs.
How Do I Make Sure My Photo Meets Requirements?
Your digital photo must meet strict U.S. passport photo specifications to avoid disqualification. Requirements include a recent photo taken within the last 6 months, 2x2 inches in size (600x600 pixels minimum), plain white or off-white background, neutral facial expression with both eyes open, and no glasses or head coverings unless for religious purposes. Consider using professional passport photo services like VisaPics to ensure your photo meets all technical requirements before submission.
What You Need to Know About DV-2027 Registration
The introduction of the $1 registration fee marks a significant policy shift in the Diversity Visa program, ending free participation that has existed since the lottery's creation. While the fee is minimal, it represents the State Department's effort to distribute system costs across all participants rather than only selected winners. Applicants should prepare payment methods now and watch dvprogram.state.gov for the official registration opening announcement expected in mid-October 2025.
To maximize your chances of success, ensure your passport photo meets all official requirements before registration opens. Using professional photo tools can help you avoid disqualification due to photo errors, which account for a significant percentage of rejected entries. Remember to submit only one entry per person, save your confirmation number carefully, and check results in May 2026 using the official State Department website.