DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration Delayed Beyond October
The U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery for 2027 has been delayed beyond its traditional early October opening date, leaving millions of hopeful applicants worldwide waiting for official registration dates. A U.S. Department of State spokesperson confirmed on October 6, 2025, that "an announcement for the DV 2027 program is forthcoming" and will be published at travel.state.gov, though no specific timeline was provided. This unexpected delay coincides with the implementation of a groundbreaking $1 registration fee that takes effect on October 16, 2025, marking the first time in the program's history that applicants must pay simply to enter the annual green card lottery.
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program typically opens during the first week of October each year. For reference, the DV-2026 registration period ran from October 2 to November 7, 2024. Immigration experts speculate the current delay may be related to technical updates needed to implement the new fee system, enhanced security measures, or potential impacts from recent government operations.
Historic $1 Registration Fee Implementation Starting October 16, 2025
In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Department of State published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025, establishing a $1 electronic registration fee for all Diversity Visa Lottery entries. This fee officially takes effect on October 16, 2025, and will apply to the upcoming DV-2027 registration period.
- Effective Date: October 16, 2025 (rule published September 16, 2025)
- Fee Amount: $1.00 USD per entry, non-refundable
- Revenue Generation: Expected to generate approximately $25 million annually
- Purpose: Fund system upgrades, enhanced data collection, security reviews, and operational costs
- Payment Method: Electronic payment only through official dvprogram.state.gov website
According to the State Department, this change will "more fairly allocate the costs of managing the random selection process to those who register" rather than charging only the small percentage of successful lottery winners. The fee is designed to reduce speculative registrations and help fund critical program improvements.
Who Is Affected by the Green Card Lottery Changes
These updates impact millions of potential applicants from eligible countries worldwide. The Diversity Visa program makes available up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
For First-Time DV Lottery Applicants
If you're planning to apply for the DV-2027 lottery for the first time, you'll need to budget for the new $1 registration fee in addition to meeting all eligibility requirements. Remember that this fee is non-refundable, even if you are not selected in the lottery or decide not to proceed with your application. Ensure your passport photo meets the strict diversity visa requirements before submitting your entry to avoid disqualification.
For Previous DV Lottery Participants
If you've participated in previous years, the main change is the new registration fee. The application process, photo requirements, and eligibility criteria remain largely the same. However, you'll need to prepare an electronic payment method when the registration period opens. Additionally, be aware that winning the lottery in previous years does not affect your eligibility to apply again.
For Immigration Professionals and Assistance Organizations
Immigration attorneys, community organizations, and assistance programs should prepare clients for the new fee structure and educate them about avoiding scams. Many fraudulent websites charge excessive fees for services that should cost only $1 for registration.
How to Prepare for DV-2027 Lottery Registration - Step by Step
While waiting for the official registration period announcement, prospective applicants can take these preparatory steps to ensure a smooth application process:
- Verify Your Eligibility: Confirm your country of birth is eligible (not on the excluded list) and you meet education or work experience requirements (high school diploma or two years of qualifying work experience)
- Prepare Required Documents: Gather passport information, birth certificates, and educational credentials for yourself and all family members who will be included
- Obtain Compliant Passport Photos: Get professional passport photos that meet U.S. visa photo specifications - photos must be taken within the last six months, 2x2 inches, with specific background and formatting requirements
- Set Up Payment Method: Ensure you have a valid credit/debit card or electronic payment method ready for the $1 registration fee
- Bookmark Official Website: Save dvprogram.state.gov (the only legitimate registration site) and sign up for State Department notifications
- Prepare Personal Information: Have ready your full name, date of birth, gender, city/town of birth, country of birth, and current mailing address
Key Dates and Timeline for DV-2027 Lottery
While the exact registration dates have not been announced, here's the expected timeline based on previous years and State Department patterns:
- Registration Period: Expected early October to early November 2025 (approximately 30-35 days)
- Fee Effective Date: October 16, 2025
- Results Announcement: Expected May 2026
- Visa Interview Period: October 2026 through September 2027 (fiscal year 2027)
- Application Fee for Winners: $330 USD (separate from the $1 registration fee)
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Card Lottery Updates
Why Is the DV-2027 Lottery Registration Delayed?
The State Department has not officially confirmed the specific reason for the delay. However, immigration experts believe the delay is likely related to implementing the new $1 registration fee system, technical updates to the application platform, or enhanced security measures. The State Department has stated an announcement is forthcoming on their official website.
Is the $1 Registration Fee Refundable?
No, the $1 registration fee is non-refundable under all circumstances. You will not receive a refund if you are not selected in the lottery, if you decide not to proceed with your application, or if your entry is disqualified for any reason. This fee is separate from the $330 diversity visa application fee that lottery winners must pay when applying for their visa.
How Can I Avoid Green Card Lottery Scams?
Only submit your entry through the official U.S. State Department website at dvprogram.state.gov. Never pay more than $1 for registration. Be wary of websites, emails, or organizations claiming they can improve your chances or offering to submit entries for inflated fees. The lottery is completely random, and no service can increase your odds of selection.
What Photo Requirements Must I Meet for DV Lottery?
Your digital photo must be recent (taken within the last six months), 2 inches by 2 inches (51mm x 51mm), in color, taken against a plain white or off-white background, and meet specific technical requirements for digital file size and format. Photos that don't meet these strict specifications are the leading cause of disqualification. Consider using professional visa photo services like VisaPics to ensure your photos meet all technical requirements.
What You Need to Know Before Applying
The green card lottery 2025 updates represent significant changes for DV-2027 applicants, particularly with the introduction of the $1 registration fee and the unexpected delay in opening registration. While the delay may be frustrating, use this time wisely to prepare all required documentation, ensure your passport photo meets diversity visa requirements, and set up your payment method.
Monitor the official State Department website at travel.state.gov for the registration announcement, expected any day now. Remember that the registration period typically lasts only about one month, so having everything prepared in advance is crucial. With proper preparation and attention to photo requirements, you can maximize your chances of a successful application when the DV-2027 lottery finally opens.
For assistance with compliant visa photos, professional services can help ensure your photos meet all technical specifications required by the U.S. Department of State, preventing costly disqualifications due to photo errors.