DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration Delayed Until December 2025
The U.S. State Department announced on November 5, 2025, that the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery registration has been delayed while implementing a historic $1 entry fee and system modernization upgrades. Immigration experts now anticipate registration will open between December 2025 and January 2026, marking the first significant delay in the program's 30-year history. Over 20 million applicants worldwide are waiting for the official registration announcement.
The delay affects millions of hopeful immigrants who traditionally register during October each year. The State Department stated it will announce the start date "as soon as practicable" and emphasized that registration dates will be widely publicized once confirmed.
Historic $1 Entry Fee Introduced for First Time
The most significant change to the Diversity Visa program is the introduction of a mandatory $1 non-refundable entry fee, published in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025.
- First fee ever: This marks the first time in the program's 30+ year history that applicants must pay to enter the lottery
- Payment required: The $1 fee must be paid electronically at the time of registration via credit card or electronic payment
- Non-refundable: All entry fees are non-refundable regardless of lottery outcome or application status
- Revenue generation: The fee is expected to generate approximately $25 million annually to fund operational costs and antifraud improvements
- System modernization: Funds will support enhanced verification systems and infrastructure upgrades
The $1 fee represents a fundamental shift from the historically free lottery system. While the amount is minimal, it enables the State Department to implement advanced security measures and reduce fraudulent applications that have plagued the program.
Who Is Affected by the Green Card Lottery Changes
The DV-2027 delays and new fee structure impact various groups of potential applicants worldwide. Understanding how these changes affect you is crucial for proper preparation.
For First-Time Applicants
If you're planning to enter the Green Card Lottery for the first time, prepare to pay the $1 registration fee and have your passport ready. The shortened registration window (potentially 2-3 weeks instead of the typical 30 days) means you must act quickly once registration opens. Ensure your passport photo meets official requirements before the portal opens.
For Previous Lottery Participants
If you've entered the lottery in previous years, you'll need to register again and pay the $1 fee for DV-2027. Previous registrations do not carry over, and each year requires a separate application. Monitor the official dvprogram.state.gov website daily for registration announcements.
For Nationals from Recently Changed Countries
United Kingdom nationals (including dependent territories) are now eligible for DV-2027, while Cuban nationals have been removed from the eligible countries list. Verify your country's eligibility status on the official State Department website when registration opens.
How to Prepare for DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration
Follow these steps to ensure you're ready when registration opens:
- Check country eligibility: Verify your birth country qualifies for DV-2027 on the official State Department website (eligibility is based on birth country, not citizenship or residence)
- Prepare payment method: Have a valid credit card or electronic payment method ready to pay the $1 non-refundable entry fee
- Obtain compliant passport photos: Get professional passport photos that meet strict ICAO standards - photos must be recent, 2x2 inches, with white background and neutral expression
- Gather required documents: Collect passport information, birth certificates, and educational/work experience documentation for yourself and all family members
- Monitor official sources: Check dvprogram.state.gov and travel.state.gov daily for registration date announcements - beware of fraudulent lottery websites
- Set up alerts: Create calendar reminders and email alerts to ensure you don't miss the potentially shorter 2-3 week registration window
Important Dates and Timeline for DV-2027
Here are the critical dates and deadlines for the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery:
- November 5, 2025: State Department announces registration delay and confirms changes are coming
- December 2025 - January 2026 (estimated): DV-2027 registration window expected to open for 2-3 weeks
- May 2026 (estimated): Results announcement - selected applicants can check their status online
- October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027: Visa application period for selected DV-2027 winners to complete processing
- September 30, 2027: Final deadline - all DV-2027 visas must be issued or status adjusted by this date
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Card Lottery Changes
Why Was the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration Delayed?
The State Department delayed registration to implement the new $1 entry fee payment system and modernize the application portal. The delay allows developers to upgrade security measures, deploy advanced verification systems, and ensure the electronic payment infrastructure works properly. System modernization is expected to reduce fraudulent applications significantly.
Is the $1 Green Card Lottery Fee Refundable?
No, the $1 entry fee is completely non-refundable. Whether you're selected, not selected, or disqualified, the fee will not be returned. The fee must be paid electronically at the time of registration and represents the cost of processing your application.
How Many Green Cards Are Available Through DV-2027?
Congress allocates approximately 55,000 diversity visas annually, though the actual number available each year is typically around 50,000 after mandatory deductions. For DV-2026, the annual limit was reduced to approximately 52,000 visas from 129,516 selected applicants. The DV-2027 allocation will be announced when registration opens.
Can I Enter the Green Card Lottery Multiple Times?
No, submitting multiple entries will result in disqualification. The State Department has sophisticated systems to detect duplicate applications. Submit only one entry per person per registration period, even if you're eligible through multiple countries.
What You Need to Know Before Registration Opens
The DV-2027 Green Card Lottery represents a turning point in the Diversity Visa program with the introduction of the $1 entry fee and modernized application system. The delayed registration period means applicants must stay vigilant and monitor official sources daily to avoid missing the shortened registration window.
Start preparing now by ensuring your passport photo meets requirements and gathering all necessary documentation. Visit reputable services to obtain compliant passport photos that meet strict U.S. visa photo specifications - rejected photos are a leading cause of disqualification. The combination of a shorter registration window and new payment requirements means early preparation is more important than ever for DV-2027 applicants.
--- **Sources:** - [U.S. Department of State - Changes to Entry Period for 2027 Diversity Visa Program](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/changes-to-2027-dv-program-entry-period.html) - [USAGov - Diversity Visa Lottery Eligibility](https://www.usa.gov/dv-lottery-eligibility) - [DV-2027 Green Card Lottery LIVE Tracker & $1 Fee Update](https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/dv-2027-green-card-lottery-live-tracker-start-date/) - [State Department Announces DV-2027 Registration Date Coming Soon](https://nepyork.com/2025/11/06/we-will-announce-the-start-date-for-the-dv-2027-registration-period-as-soon-as-practicable-announces-u-s-department-of-state/) - [DV-2027 Eligibility & Odds: Country List](https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/dv-2027-eligibility-odds/)