Green Card Lottery Introduces Historic $1 Registration Fee
The U.S. Department of State announced on September 16, 2025, that all Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery applicants must pay a new $1 electronic registration fee starting October 16, 2025. This marks the first time in the program's 30-year history that participants will be charged simply to enter the annual green card lottery, ending decades of free registration.
The fee takes effect immediately for the DV-2027 cycle, which has experienced unexpected registration delays. With an estimated 25 million entries per year, the new fee is projected to generate approximately $25 million annually to fund system upgrades, enhanced security measures, and improved data processing capabilities.
Key Changes for DV-2027 Green Card Lottery
The Diversity Visa Lottery 2027 program brings several significant changes that applicants need to understand before submitting their entries:
- $1 Registration Fee: Non-refundable payment required at submission through official government portal, regardless of lottery results
- Delayed Registration Period: Expected to begin mid-October 2025 instead of early October, with official dates to be announced by State Department
- Enhanced Payment System: New electronic payment gateway integrated into the registration platform for secure transactions
- Existing Application Fee Unchanged: The $330 DV application fee for selected lottery winners remains the same
- Strict Photo Requirements: Digital photos must be 600x600 pixels, taken within last 6 months, meeting specific passport photo requirements
The State Department confirmed that registration fees will not be refunded under any circumstances, and fees cannot be transferred between lottery years. Additionally, paying the $1 registration fee does not guarantee selection or visa approval.
Who Is Affected by These Green Card Lottery Changes
The new registration fee and delayed timeline impact millions of prospective immigrants worldwide. The Diversity Visa Lottery provides 55,000 immigrant visas annually to applicants from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States.
For First-Time DV Lottery Applicants
If you're applying to the green card lottery for the first time, you'll need to budget for the $1 registration fee and ensure your digital photo meets strict U.S. passport photo requirements. Many applicants use professional visa photo services like VisaPics to ensure their photos meet all technical specifications, as incorrect photos are a leading cause of disqualification.
For Previous DV Lottery Participants
Veterans of the diversity visa lottery process must adapt to the new payment requirement and potentially later registration dates. Unlike previous years when registration was completely free, you'll now need a valid payment method to complete your DV-2027 application.
For Applicants from Newly Ineligible Countries
Citizens of certain countries including Cuba, Bangladesh, China (mainland), India, Pakistan, South Korea, Philippines, and Vietnam are ineligible for DV-2027. However, natives of Macau SAR and Taiwan remain eligible despite being part of greater China.
How to Apply for DV-2027 Green Card Lottery - Step by Step
Follow these steps to successfully register for the Diversity Visa Lottery 2027 when registration opens:
- Verify Your Eligibility: Confirm your country of birth qualifies and you meet education or work experience requirements (high school diploma or 2 years qualifying work experience)
- Prepare Your Digital Photo: Take or obtain a recent photo (within 6 months) that meets exact specifications: 600x600 pixels, JPEG format, under 240KB, white background, no glasses or hats
- Gather Required Information: Collect passport details, birth certificates, and information for spouse and all unmarried children under 21 years old
- Access Official Website Only: Visit dvprogram.state.gov during the registration period (avoid third-party websites charging excessive fees or making false promises)
- Complete Entry and Pay $1 Fee: Fill out the electronic form accurately, pay the $1 registration fee through the government payment portal, and save your confirmation number
- Keep Confirmation Number Safe: You'll need this unique confirmation number to check results when they're announced in May 2026
Important Dates and Timeline for Green Card Lottery 2025-2026
Mark these critical dates on your calendar to ensure you don't miss important deadlines for the diversity visa lottery program:
- September 16, 2025: Final rule published in Federal Register establishing $1 registration fee
- October 16, 2025: New $1 registration fee takes effect with upgraded payment system implementation
- Mid-October 2025 (Expected): DV-2027 registration period opens (exact dates to be announced by State Department)
- Early November 2025 (Expected): DV-2027 registration period closes (typically 30-day window)
- May 2026: DV-2027 lottery results announced (selected applicants notified through Entrant Status Check)
- October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027: Fiscal year for DV-2027 visa processing and interviews
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Card Lottery Updates
Why Is There Now a $1 Fee for the Green Card Lottery?
The U.S. State Department introduced the $1 registration fee to fund critical system upgrades, enhanced security measures, and improved data processing capabilities for the Diversity Visa program. With approximately 25 million entries annually, this fee is expected to generate $25 million per year for program improvements. The fee is non-refundable regardless of lottery results.
When Will DV-2027 Registration Actually Open?
While the State Department has not announced official dates, DV-2027 registration is expected to open in mid-October 2025 following implementation of the new payment system on October 16, 2025. The registration period typically runs for 30 days, so applicants should monitor dvprogram.state.gov for the official announcement in the coming weeks.
What Photo Requirements Must I Meet for the Green Card Lottery?
Your diversity visa lottery photo must be 600x600 pixels in JPEG format, under 240KB file size, taken within the last 6 months on a plain white or off-white background. You must have a neutral expression with eyes open, no glasses, hats, or uniforms (unless daily religious garments that don't obscure your face), and no digital manipulation of facial features. Incorrect photos are a leading cause of disqualification, so many applicants use professional passport photo services to ensure compliance.
Are Registration Fees Refundable If I'm Not Selected?
No, the $1 registration fee is completely non-refundable under all circumstances. Whether you're selected in the lottery or not, whether you decide to proceed with your application or not, and regardless of any errors you make during registration, the fee will not be returned or transferred to future lottery years.
What You Need to Know About the Green Card Lottery Changes
The introduction of a $1 registration fee and implementation of an enhanced payment system represent significant changes to the Diversity Visa Lottery program. While the fee is modest, it marks a historic shift from the completely free entry process that has existed since the program's inception, and applicants must budget accordingly when planning their green card lottery application.
If you're planning to apply for DV-2027, start preparing now by verifying your eligibility, gathering required documents, and ensuring your passport photo meets all technical specifications. Professional visa photo services can help ensure your photos are compliant with strict U.S. requirements, preventing costly disqualifications. Monitor the official State Department website at dvprogram.state.gov for the announcement of exact registration dates, and be prepared to submit your application promptly when the window opens in mid-October 2025.