Green Card Lottery Registration Delayed for DV-2027 Program
The U.S. State Department announced on November 5, 2025, that the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery registration period has been delayed beyond its expected early October opening date. The Department stated registration dates will be announced "as soon as practicable" but provided no specific timeline for when the application window will open.
This marks the first time in recent years that the Diversity Visa Lottery registration has been significantly delayed, affecting millions of prospective applicants worldwide who were expecting to submit entries in October 2025. The Department's November 2025 Visa Bulletin confirmed that "dates for the DV-2027 program registration period will be widely publicized in the coming months."
Historic $1 Registration Fee Introduced for First Time
The most significant change to the Green Card Lottery is the introduction of a mandatory $1 electronic registration fee, marking the first time applicants must pay to enter the lottery.
- Fee Amount: $1 per registration, paid electronically at time of submission
- Effective Date: September 16, 2025 (published in Federal Register)
- Revenue Impact: Expected to generate approximately $25 million annually
- Purpose: Cost recovery for system upgrades, enhanced data collection, and security reviews
- Previous Cost: Registration was completely free before DV-2027
The new fee represents a fundamental shift in how the Diversity Visa program operates. Previously, registration was entirely free, making it accessible to applicants from all economic backgrounds worldwide.
New Passport Requirements and Documentation Changes
In addition to the registration fee, the State Department proposed several new documentation requirements on August 5, 2025.
- Passport Submission: Valid, unexpired passport information required at registration
- Biographic Page: Scanned copy of passport biographic page must be submitted
- Terminology Updates: Regulations now use "sex" instead of "gender" and "date of birth" instead of "age"
- Enhanced Verification: Stricter identity verification measures to reduce fraud
Who Is Affected by These Green Card Lottery Changes
The DV-2027 program offers 55,000 diversity visas annually to individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. These changes impact specific groups differently.
For First-Time Applicants
If you're applying to the Green Card Lottery for the first time, you'll need to budget for the $1 registration fee and ensure you have a valid passport before registration opens. Unlike previous years when registration was free, you must now have a payment method ready and passport documentation prepared in advance.
For Previous Lottery Participants
Even if you've entered the Green Card Lottery multiple times before, you must comply with the new requirements including the registration fee and passport submission. Your previous entries do not exempt you from these changes, and you cannot use old confirmation numbers or information.
For Immigration Service Providers
Attorneys and immigration consultants must inform clients about the new fee structure and passport requirements. The State Department warns against services falsely claiming they can increase selection chances, as the lottery remains completely random regardless of who submits the application.
How to Prepare for DV-2027 Registration - Step by Step
Follow these steps to ensure you're ready when registration opens:
- Obtain Valid Passport: Apply for or renew your passport now to ensure it's valid when registration opens
- Scan Passport Biographic Page: Create a high-quality digital scan of your passport's information page
- Prepare Payment Method: Set up electronic payment capability to pay the $1 registration fee
- Review Eligibility Requirements: Verify your country qualifies and you meet education or work experience requirements
- Prepare Compliant Photo: Ensure your passport photo meets specific U.S. diversity visa photo requirements for digital submission
- Monitor Official Website: Check travel.state.gov regularly for the official registration opening announcement
- Gather Family Information: Collect passport details and photos for spouse and unmarried children under 21
Important Dates and Timeline for DV-2027
Based on State Department announcements, here are the key dates for the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery cycle:
- August 5, 2025: State Department proposed new fee and passport requirements
- September 16, 2025: Final rule establishing $1 fee published in Federal Register
- November 5, 2025: State Department confirmed registration delay with dates "announced soon"
- Registration Period: To be announced - originally expected early October 2025
- May 2026 (Expected): Results notification for selected lottery winners
- October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027: Visa application window for selected candidates
Why the Green Card Lottery Was Delayed
Immigration experts speculate multiple factors contributed to the DV-2027 registration delay beyond the typical October opening.
Morgan Bailey, a partner at Mayer Brown and former Department of Homeland Security official, indicated that the regulatory modifications combined with the delayed registration window suggest the State Department is fundamentally restructuring the DV-2027 entry process. Technical implementation challenges for the new payment system and passport verification infrastructure likely required additional development time.
Additionally, immigration attorneys have noted that potential government shutdowns affecting IT departments may have contributed to delays in finalizing the updated registration system. The integration of electronic payment processing, passport scanning capabilities, and enhanced fraud detection systems represents a significant technological upgrade requiring thorough testing before launch.
Fraud Warning: Registration Is NOT Currently Open
The U.S. State Department issued an official warning on social media stating: "The Diversity Visa (DV) 2027 entry registration period is not open at this time." They confirmed awareness of fraudulent claims that DV-2027 entry is open and individuals falsely claiming they can increase selection chances.
Furthermore, the Department emphasized that no service or individual can improve your odds of selection, as the lottery uses a completely random computer-generated selection process. Applicants should only submit entries through the official government website at travel.state.gov and never pay fees beyond the official $1 registration charge.
Frequently Asked Questions About DV-2027
When Will Green Card Lottery Registration Open for DV-2027?
The State Department has not announced a specific opening date as of November 2025. Registration dates will be "widely publicized in the coming months" according to the November Visa Bulletin. Applicants should monitor travel.state.gov for the official announcement rather than relying on third-party sources.
Is the $1 Green Card Lottery Fee Legitimate or a Scam?
The $1 electronic registration fee is completely legitimate and was officially published in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025. However, beware of websites charging more than $1 or claiming to increase your selection chances. Only pay the official $1 fee through the government website at travel.state.gov when registration opens.
Do I Need a Passport to Enter the Green Card Lottery?
Yes, for DV-2027, you must have a valid, unexpired passport and submit passport information including a scanned copy of the biographic page during registration. This represents a significant change from previous years when passport information was optional at the entry stage. Ensure your passport photo meets all official requirements before applying.
Can I Still Enter If I Already Applied for Previous Lotteries?
Previous lottery entries do not carry over to DV-2027. You must submit a new entry when registration opens, pay the new $1 fee, and provide passport documentation regardless of how many times you've entered before. Each lottery cycle is completely independent with no advantage for repeat applicants.
How Many People Will Win the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery?
The program provides 55,000 diversity visas annually as established by Congress in 1990. However, more than 55,000 people are initially selected because some winners won't complete the process or won't qualify after consular interviews. Typically, 100,000-125,000 individuals are selected initially to fill all 55,000 available visas.
What You Need to Know About the Green Card Lottery Changes
The DV-2027 Green Card Lottery represents the most significant program changes in years, with the introduction of a mandatory $1 registration fee and new passport documentation requirements. While registration has been delayed beyond the expected October 2025 opening, the State Department promises to widely publicize dates when they're finalized.
Prospective applicants should prepare now by obtaining valid passports, ensuring their passport photos meet official visa photo specifications, and setting up electronic payment capabilities. Monitor only official government sources at travel.state.gov for registration announcements, and avoid fraudulent services claiming to improve selection odds or charging excessive fees. With 55,000 visas available and millions of applicants worldwide, proper preparation and adherence to official requirements remain your best strategy for this life-changing opportunity.