Green Card Lottery 2025: Major Updates and Changes
The green card lottery program faces significant changes in 2025, with the DV-2027 registration experiencing unprecedented delays while 129,516 DV-2026 selectees process their applications. The U.S. State Department has delayed DV-2027 registration beyond its traditional October opening to implement system upgrades and integrate a new $1 entry fee.
These developments mark the most substantial changes to the Diversity Visa program in years. Applicants hoping to enter the 2027 lottery must now wait for the State Department's announcement while ensuring they meet new passport requirements.
Key Green Card Lottery Updates for November 2025
Several critical changes affect both current selectees and future applicants:
- DV-2027 Registration Delayed: No start date announced as of November 2025; traditional October opening has passed
- New $1 Registration Fee: First-ever fee for diversity visa lottery entries, effective September 16, 2025
- Passport Requirement: DV-2027 applicants must submit valid, unexpired passport scans during registration
- 129,516 DV-2026 Selectees: Selected from 20,822,624 qualified entries received
- November Visa Bulletin Active: DV-2026 cutoff dates by region now in effect for visa processing
The State Department cited system upgrades and the October 2025 government shutdown as reasons for the delay. The new fee structure will generate approximately $25 million annually from an estimated 25 million registrants.
Who Is Affected by These Changes
These updates impact millions of potential applicants worldwide and current lottery selectees differently:
For DV-2026 Selectees
If you were selected in the DV-2026 lottery, you must complete your immigrant visa application by September 30, 2026. Check your status using your confirmation number at dvprogram.state.gov. Ensure your passport photo meets requirements for visa interviews.
For DV-2027 Hopeful Applicants
Monitor the official State Department website (travel.state.gov) for registration announcements. Prepare your valid passport, payment method for the $1 fee, and compliant photos before registration opens. The registration window typically lasts only 30-35 days.
For First-Time Applicants
Familiarize yourself with eligibility requirements—you must be from an eligible country and meet education or work experience criteria. Use only the official E-DV portal when registration opens; never pay for third-party "lottery services."
How to Apply for the Green Card Lottery - Step by Step
Follow these steps when DV-2027 registration opens:
- Verify Eligibility: Confirm your birth country is eligible and you meet education requirements (high school diploma or 2 years of qualifying work experience)
- Prepare Your Passport: DV-2027 requires a valid, unexpired passport scan during registration—a new requirement
- Take Compliant Photos: Use VisaPics to create photos meeting exact State Department specifications (600x600 pixels, recent within 6 months)
- Complete Online Registration: Submit one entry only at dvprogram.state.gov during the registration window
- Pay the $1 Fee: Have electronic payment method ready for the new registration fee
- Save Your Confirmation Number: This is the only way to check results—the State Department does not notify by email or phone
Important Green Card Lottery Dates and Timeline
Mark these critical dates for DV-2026 processing and DV-2027 registration:
- Now through September 30, 2026: DV-2026 selectees must complete visa processing
- May 3, 2025 - September 30, 2026: DV-2026 results remain available for status checks
- Coming Months (TBA): DV-2027 registration dates will be announced
- Expected Late 2025/Early 2026: DV-2027 registration window (approximately 30-35 days)
- May 2026: DV-2027 results expected to be released
Frequently Asked Questions
When Will DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration Open?
The State Department has not announced specific dates. The November 2025 Visa Bulletin states that "registration dates will be widely publicized in the coming months." Monitor travel.state.gov for official announcements—do not trust unofficial sources claiming to know exact dates.
Why Is There a New $1 Fee for the Diversity Visa Lottery?
The fee, published in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025, helps cover program administrative costs. Previously, only the 55,000 winners paid fees during visa processing. Now, approximately 25 million annual registrants will contribute, generating $25 million in annual revenue while potentially reducing frivolous entries.
Do I Need a Passport to Enter the DV-2027 Lottery?
Yes, this is a new requirement. DV-2027 applicants must submit a scan of a valid, unexpired passport during registration. This stricter identity verification replaces the previous system where passport details were only verified later. Ensure your passport won't expire before you can complete registration.
How Do I Check My DV-2026 Lottery Status?
Visit dvprogram.state.gov/ESC and enter your confirmation number from your 2024 registration. Results are available until at least September 30, 2026. The State Department never notifies selectees by email, letter, fax, or phone—any such contact is a scam.
What You Need to Know About the Green Card Lottery
The 2025 green card lottery landscape requires careful attention to new requirements and deadlines. DV-2026 selectees have until September 30, 2026, to complete processing, while DV-2027 hopefuls must prepare documents in advance and monitor official channels for registration announcements.
With the new $1 fee and passport requirement for DV-2027, proper preparation is essential. Ensure your passport photo meets official requirements before registration opens—photos are a common reason for entry rejection. Use VisaPics to create compliant photos that meet exact State Department specifications and maximize your chances of a successful entry.