DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration Delayed Until Further Notice
The U.S. Department of State has officially delayed the opening of the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery beyond its traditional early October start date. On November 5, 2025, the Department confirmed that registration dates "will be announced as soon as practicable" on the official travel.state.gov website.
This marks a significant departure from the usual timeline, where the diversity visa lottery typically opens in the first week of October. The Department has warned prospective applicants to be cautious of fraudulent websites falsely claiming that DV-2027 registration is currently open.
Historic $1 Registration Fee Now Required for Green Card Lottery
For the first time in program history, the diversity visa lottery will no longer be completely free to enter. The Department of State published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025, establishing a mandatory $1 electronic registration fee for all DV-2027 applicants.
- Fee Amount: $1.00 USD per entry (non-refundable)
- Payment Method: Electronic payment at time of online submission
- Revenue Purpose: Expected to generate $25 million annually to fund DV program operations
- Implementation Date: Effective September 16, 2025, for DV-2027 cycle
- Cost Distribution: Spreads administrative costs more broadly across all applicants
Immigration attorneys speculate that implementing the new payment system may be contributing to the current registration delay. The Department needs to ensure the electronic payment infrastructure is fully operational before opening registration to potentially millions of applicants worldwide.
Who Is Affected by the Green Card Lottery Changes
The DV-2027 lottery will offer up to 55,000 immigrant visas to qualifying applicants from eligible countries. However, not everyone can participate in the diversity visa program.
For Eligible Country Nationals
Only individuals born in countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States can apply. Countries like India, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, and the Philippines are excluded from DV-2027 because more than 50,000 of their nationals have migrated to the U.S. in the past five years. Applicants from Africa, Europe, and underrepresented regions typically have the best chances.
For Previous DV-2026 Applicants
If you applied for DV-2026, you must submit a new application for DV-2027 when registration opens. Previous lottery entries do not carry over, and each year requires a fresh application with the new $1 fee. The November 2025 Visa Bulletin reports that approximately 129,516 DV-2026 selectees are currently eligible to proceed with their visa applications.
For First-Time Applicants
New applicants will need to prepare a compliant passport photo that meets strict State Department specifications before registration opens. Your photo must show your full face with a neutral expression against a white or off-white background, similar to passport photo requirements for visa applications.
How to Prepare for DV-2027 Registration - Step by Step
While official dates haven't been announced, you can prepare now to ensure a smooth application when registration opens.
- Check Your Eligibility: Verify your country of birth is eligible at dvprogram.state.gov (eligibility list updates annually)
- Prepare Your Photo: Take or obtain a compliant diversity visa photo meeting exact specifications - 2x2 inches, recent, with white background
- Gather Required Documents: Have your passport information, birth certificate details, and education/work history ready
- Prepare Payment Method: Ensure you have a valid credit/debit card or electronic payment method for the $1 fee
- Monitor Official Channels: Bookmark dvprogram.state.gov and check regularly for the official registration announcement
- Avoid Scam Websites: Only use the official State Department website - never pay anyone claiming to increase your chances
- Include Your Spouse and Children: Add eligible family members to your entry (spouses and unmarried children under 21)
Important Dates and Timeline for the Green Card Lottery
Based on historical patterns and official announcements, here's the expected timeline for DV-2027:
- September 16, 2025: New $1 registration fee rule took effect
- November 5, 2025: State Department confirmed DV-2027 delay and upcoming announcement
- Late 2025 (Expected): Registration period opens for 30-60 days (exact dates TBA)
- May 2026 (Expected): DV-2027 lottery results announced via Entrant Status Check
- October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027: Selected winners apply for immigrant visas
Proposed Passport Requirement Not Implemented This Year
The Trump administration proposed a rule requiring all diversity visa lottery applicants to possess a valid passport before registration. However, due to the lengthy federal review and comment period required for new regulations, this passport mandate will not take effect for DV-2027.
The proposed rule aims to reduce fraudulent entries and ensure serious applicants participate in the lottery. If implemented in future years, it could significantly impact applicants from countries where passport acquisition is difficult or expensive. Immigration experts expect this requirement may apply to DV-2028 or later cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Green Card Lottery
Why Is the DV-2027 Registration Delayed?
The U.S. State Department has not provided an official reason for the delay. However, immigration attorneys believe the postponement relates to implementing the new $1 electronic payment system and potentially addressing the October 2025 federal government operational challenges. The Department confirmed that registration dates "will be widely publicized in the coming months."
Can I Still Apply for Free to the Green Card Lottery?
No, starting with DV-2027, all applicants must pay a $1 non-refundable registration fee at the time of online submission. This is the first time in program history that the diversity visa lottery requires payment to enter. The fee must be paid electronically through the official State Department portal.
How Do I Know If a Green Card Lottery Website Is Legitimate?
The only official website for the diversity visa lottery is dvprogram.state.gov. The State Department issued a warning on November 5, 2025, about fraudulent sites falsely claiming DV-2027 is open or that they can increase your selection chances. Never pay fees to third-party services beyond the official $1 registration fee, and be wary of anyone guaranteeing lottery success.
What Photo Requirements Apply for the Diversity Visa Lottery?
Your diversity visa photo must be recent (taken within 6 months), show your full face directly facing the camera with a neutral expression, and have a white or off-white background. The digital image must be 600x600 pixels, in JPEG format, and less than 240KB in size. Many applicants use professional passport photo services like VisaPics to ensure their photos meet all technical specifications and avoid disqualification.
When Will DV-2027 Results Be Announced?
Based on historical patterns, DV-2027 lottery results are expected to be announced in May 2026. Winners will check their status using the Entrant Status Check tool on the official DV program website. The State Department will announce the exact result publication date once registration closes and selection processing is complete.
What You Need to Know About the Green Card Lottery
The DV-2027 Green Card Lottery represents a significant shift in the program's 30-year history with the introduction of the $1 registration fee and ongoing delays. Prospective applicants should monitor the official State Department website closely for the registration announcement, which is expected in the coming weeks.
When registration opens, applicants will have approximately 30-60 days to submit their entries with compliant passport photos and electronic payment. Given the strict photo requirements and technical specifications, consider using a professional service like VisaPics to ensure your passport photo meets all diversity visa standards and avoid disqualification. With 55,000 immigrant visas available and millions of applicants worldwide, proper preparation is essential for success in the green card lottery.