Major Changes Coming to Green Card Lottery Registration
The U.S. Department of State announced significant changes to the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program in October 2025, introducing the first-ever registration fee and delaying the opening of DV-2027 registration. Starting October 16, 2025, all applicants must pay a $1 electronic registration fee to enter the Green Card lottery—marking the end of the program's longstanding free entry policy. The DV-2027 registration period, traditionally opening in early October, has been postponed with no official start date announced yet.
These policy changes impact approximately 25 million annual registrants worldwide who compete for up to 55,000 immigrant visas available through the Diversity Visa program. The State Department published the final rule establishing the new fee structure in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025, taking effect immediately for the upcoming DV-2027 cycle.
Key Changes to Diversity Visa Lottery Program
The 2025 updates introduce several critical modifications affecting how applicants register for the Green Card lottery:
- $1 Registration Fee: All DV-2027 lottery entries now require a non-refundable $1 electronic payment through the U.S. Treasury payment system at submission
- Registration Delay: DV-2027 registration postponed past the expected early October 2025 opening; State Department promises dates will be "widely publicized in the coming months"
- Enhanced Security Measures: New fee structure designed to discourage fraudulent entries and reduce exploitation by third-party scammers submitting multiple fake applications
- Revenue Generation: The program expects to generate approximately $25 million annually to cover operational costs including system upgrades and security reviews
- Non-Refundable Payment: Registration fees cannot be refunded regardless of lottery results, invalid entries, or cancellations, and cannot be transferred between lottery years
According to the Department of State, "The new registration fee will more fairly allocate the costs of managing the random selection process to those who register. It will also discourage speculative registrations by individuals exploiting potential entrants."
Who Is Affected by These Green Card Lottery Changes
These updates impact millions of prospective immigrants from eligible countries worldwide seeking permanent residency in the United States through the Diversity Visa program.
For First-Time Applicants
If you're planning to enter the DV-2027 lottery for the first time, you must now budget for the $1 registration fee and prepare valid payment information before the registration period opens. Ensure your passport photo meets all official requirements, as rejected applications will not receive fee refunds.
For Previous Lottery Participants
Applicants who entered previous free lottery cycles must now pay the $1 fee for DV-2027 registration. Previous entries do not carry over between years, so you need to submit a new application with payment for each lottery cycle you wish to enter.
For DV-2026 Winners
If you were selected in the DV-2026 lottery (results announced May 3, 2025), you can submit green card applications starting October 1, 2025. Your lottery selection remains valid through September 30, 2026, regardless of DV-2027 changes.
How to Prepare for DV-2027 Registration - Step by Step
Follow these steps to prepare your Diversity Visa lottery application before registration opens:
- Check Eligibility: Verify your country qualifies for the DV program (countries with high U.S. immigration rates are excluded) and confirm you meet education or work experience requirements
- Prepare Digital Photos: Obtain compliant passport-style photos meeting State Department specifications—photos must be recent (within 6 months), 2x2 inches, with white background and neutral expression
- Gather Required Documents: Collect passport information, birth certificates, marriage certificates (if applicable), and educational/work experience documentation
- Set Up Payment Method: Ensure you have a valid debit card, credit card, or electronic payment method accepted by the U.S. Treasury payment system
- Monitor Official Announcements: Check travel.state.gov and dvprogram.state.gov regularly for DV-2027 registration opening dates
- Submit Entry Early: Once registration opens, submit your application early in the window to avoid last-minute technical issues or deadline rush
Important Dates and Timeline for Green Card Lottery
Mark these critical dates and periods on your calendar for the Diversity Visa lottery program:
- September 16, 2025: Final rule establishing $1 registration fee published in Federal Register
- October 16, 2025: New $1 registration fee requirement takes effect for all DV lottery applications
- DV-2027 Registration Period: Opening date to be announced (expected late 2025)—typically runs for 30-37 days
- DV-2026 Application Period: October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026 for selected winners to submit visa applications
- May 2026 (Expected): DV-2027 lottery results announcement—results typically released first week of May
- October 1, 2026: DV-2027 fiscal year begins for selected winners to apply for immigrant visas
Frequently Asked Questions About the Green Card Lottery
Why Is the State Department Charging a Fee for DV Lottery Registration?
The $1 registration fee helps cover operational costs for managing the lottery program, including system upgrades, data collection, and security reviews. Previously, only the 55,000 lottery winners paid fees, but now all 25 million registrants contribute to program costs. Additionally, the fee aims to reduce fraudulent entries by discouraging scammers from submitting multiple fake applications.
When Will DV-2027 Registration Open and How Long Will It Last?
The State Department has not announced official DV-2027 registration dates as of late October 2025. Based on previous years, registration typically opens in early October and runs for 30-37 days, closing in early November. The Department promises to widely publicize dates in the coming months through travel.state.gov and official embassy channels.
Can I Get a Refund If My DV Lottery Entry Is Rejected or Not Selected?
No, the $1 registration fee is non-refundable under all circumstances. You will not receive a refund if your entry is rejected due to technical errors, fails eligibility requirements, contains invalid information, or simply is not selected in the random lottery drawing. The fee also cannot be transferred to future lottery years.
How Many People Win the Green Card Lottery Each Year?
The Diversity Visa program makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available annually for people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. However, the State Department typically selects more than 55,000 winners initially (often around 100,000-125,000) to account for applicants who do not complete the process or fail to qualify.
What You Need to Know About DV-2027 Registration
The introduction of the $1 registration fee and delayed opening represent the most significant changes to the Diversity Visa lottery in recent years. While the fee is minimal, it marks a fundamental shift in program funding and fraud prevention strategy. Prospective applicants should monitor official State Department channels closely for registration opening announcements expected in the coming months.
Start preparing your application materials now to avoid last-minute stress when registration opens. Ensure your passport photo meets all technical requirements and have valid payment information ready. Visit VisaPics to check current photo specifications for visa applications and ensure your images comply with all official requirements before submitting your DV-2027 lottery entry.