Green Card Lottery Faces Major Changes in 2025
The U.S. Department of State confirmed on November 5, 2025, that the Diversity Visa (DV-2027) Green Card Lottery registration has been delayed beyond its traditional early October opening. The postponement coincides with the implementation of a mandatory $1 electronic registration fee, marking the first time in the program's history that applicants must pay to enter the lottery.
This announcement comes as 129,516 DV-2026 lottery winners are currently processing their applications after results were released on May 3, 2025. The changes affect an estimated 25 million potential applicants worldwide who typically enter the diversity visa program each year.
Key Changes to Green Card Lottery Program
The State Department has introduced several significant updates that applicants need to understand before entering future lotteries:
- New $1 Registration Fee: All DV-2027 applicants must pay a non-refundable $1 fee to submit their entry, effective November 2025
- Registration Delay: The DV-2027 lottery opening has been postponed with no official start date announced as of late November 2025
- System Modernization: The delay is attributed to implementing payment collection infrastructure and certain procedural changes
- DV-2026 Results Available: 129,516 selectees from over 20.8 million qualified entries can check their status at dvprogram.state.gov
- Cuba Eligibility Correction: State Department issued corrections clarifying that Cuban natives are ineligible for DV-2026 due to statutory immigration limits
The $1 fee cannot be refunded regardless of selection outcome and cannot be transferred to future lottery years. Additionally, selected winners must still pay the standard $330 Diversity Visa application fee if chosen.
Who Is Affected by These Updates
These changes impact millions of prospective immigrants worldwide, with different implications depending on their application timeline and country of origin.
For DV-2026 Selectees
If you were selected in the DV-2026 lottery, you have until September 30, 2026, to complete your immigrant visa application or adjustment of status. You can check your selection status using your confirmation number at the official Entrant Status Check portal. Remember that only 55,000 green cards are available despite 129,516 selectees being chosen.
For DV-2027 Applicants
Prospective DV-2027 applicants must wait for the State Department to announce the registration opening date. When registration begins, you'll need a valid payment method to submit the $1 fee along with your entry. Monitor travel.state.gov regularly for announcements, as the registration period is typically only 30 days.
For Cuban and UK Nationals
Cuban nationals are ineligible for DV-2026 due to exceeding statutory immigration limits. The State Department issued specific corrections affecting Cuban and United Kingdom applicants, so affected individuals should review the updated eligibility requirements carefully.
How to Check Your DV-2026 Status - Step by Step
If you entered the DV-2026 lottery, follow these steps to verify your selection status:
- Locate Your Confirmation Number: Find the unique confirmation number you received when submitting your DV-2026 entry between October 2-November 7, 2024
- Visit the Official Portal: Go directly to dvprogram.state.gov and click on "Entrant Status Check" (never use third-party websites)
- Enter Your Information: Input your confirmation number, last name, and year of birth exactly as submitted in your original entry
- Review Your Results: The system will display whether you were selected, not selected, or if your entry has been disqualified
- Follow Next Steps: If selected, carefully read all instructions provided and note your case number for visa processing
Important Dates and Timeline
Mark these critical deadlines on your calendar to avoid missing key opportunities:
- May 3, 2025: DV-2026 lottery results became available online at 12:00 PM EDT
- September 30, 2026: Final deadline for DV-2026 selectees to complete visa processing or adjustment of status
- November 2025 (TBD): DV-2027 registration expected to open with new $1 fee requirement
- October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027: DV-2027 selectees (when announced) can apply for immigrant visas during this fiscal year window
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Was the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Delayed?
The State Department delayed the DV-2027 lottery to implement system modernization and payment collection infrastructure for the new $1 registration fee. This marks the first time applicants must pay to enter the diversity visa lottery. The agency stated it will announce the registration start date "as soon as practicable" but has not provided a specific timeline as of late November 2025.
Is the $1 Fee Refundable If I'm Not Selected?
No, the $1 electronic registration fee is completely non-refundable regardless of whether you are selected, rejected, or disqualified. The fee cannot be transferred to future lottery years either. If selected, you must still pay the standard $330 Diversity Visa application fee separately to process your immigrant visa application.
How Many People Win the Green Card Lottery Each Year?
For DV-2026, the State Department selected 129,516 applicants from over 20.8 million qualified entries. However, only 55,000 diversity visas are actually available each fiscal year. More people are selected than visas available because not all selectees will qualify or complete the process, ensuring all 55,000 green cards can be issued.
What You Need to Know
The green card lottery program is undergoing significant changes with the introduction of the $1 registration fee and delayed DV-2027 opening. If you're a DV-2026 selectee, act quickly to complete your application before the September 30, 2026 deadline. Prospective DV-2027 applicants should prepare payment methods and monitor official State Department announcements.
Before applying for any diversity visa, ensure your passport photo meets all official requirements to avoid disqualification. VisaPics can help you create compliant passport and visa photos for over 172 countries and 952 document types, ensuring your application meets all specifications. Never pay third parties claiming to increase your lottery chances—the selection process is completely random and free of influence.
--- **Sources:** - [U.S. Department of State - Diversity Visa Program](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/update-on-dv-program-2026.html) - [Green Card Lottery Results for 2026 - Mshale](https://mshale.com/2025/05/02/green-card-lottery-results-for-2026-will-be-out-on-may-3/) - [DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Delay - VisaVerge](https://www.visaverge.com/news/dv-2027-green-card-lottery-new-1-fee-passport-checks-and-more/) - [Diversity Visa Lottery Selection - Ogletree](https://ogletree.com/insights-resources/blog-posts/diversity-visa-lottery-selection-finalized-for-fiscal-year-2026/) - [State Department DV Program](https://dvprogram.state.gov/)