Historic Changes to Green Card Lottery Program Announced
The U.S. Department of State announced groundbreaking changes to the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program in October 2025, marking the first time in the program's history that applicants will pay a registration fee. Starting October 16, 2025, all participants must pay a $1 electronic registration fee when entering the annual Green Card lottery, affecting an estimated 25 million applicants worldwide.
The changes come alongside significant delays in the DV-2027 registration period and new eligibility restrictions for Cuban nationals. The State Department published the final rule in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025, fundamentally reshaping how the world's most popular immigration lottery operates.
Key Changes to Diversity Visa Lottery Program
The 2025 updates introduce several critical modifications that every prospective applicant needs to understand:
- New $1 Registration Fee: Effective October 16, 2025, all DV lottery entries require a non-refundable $1 payment at submission
- DV-2027 Registration Delayed: The typical early October opening has been postponed, with official dates still pending State Department announcement
- Cuban National Restrictions: Cuban natives are ineligible for DV-2026 because over 50,000 Cubans immigrated to the U.S. in the past five years
- Payment System Integration: Fees processed through secure U.S. Treasury payment portal accepting major credit and debit cards
- Revenue Generation: The new fee structure will generate approximately $25 million annually to cover operational costs
- Non-Transferable Fees: Registration fees cannot be refunded or transferred between lottery years regardless of results
The $330 visa application fee for selected winners remains unchanged and is still only paid by those who win the lottery and proceed with their application. Additionally, the State Department issued warnings about incorrect selection notifications sent to some UK and Cuban applicants for the DV-2026 program.
Who Is Affected by These Green Card Lottery Updates
The changes impact millions of hopeful immigrants across the globe, with specific implications for different groups. Understanding how these updates affect your situation is crucial for proper planning.
For First-Time Green Card Lottery Applicants
If you're planning to enter the DV-2027 lottery for the first time, you'll need to budget for the new $1 registration fee and wait for the official registration period announcement. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and understand that your passport photo must meet strict U.S. visa photo requirements to avoid disqualification.
For Cuban Nationals and UK Residents
Cuban natives are completely ineligible for DV-2026 due to high immigration numbers from Cuba over the past five years. UK residents who received selection notifications for DV-2026 should verify their status using the official Entrant Status Check tool, as some incorrect notifications were sent.
For Previous Years' Applicants
If you've applied in previous years, the $1 fee represents a new cost you must factor into your application. Remember that fees from previous lottery years cannot be transferred, and each year requires a fresh payment and submission.
How to Apply for DV-2027 Green Card Lottery - Step by Step
Follow these essential steps to submit your Diversity Visa Lottery application correctly:
- Wait for Official Announcement: Monitor dvprogram.state.gov for the confirmed DV-2027 registration period (expected October-November 2025)
- Prepare Required Documents: Gather your passport, recent passport-style photos meeting official specifications, and educational/work experience documentation
- Complete DS-5501 Form: Fill out the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form on the official State Department website only (avoid third-party sites)
- Pay $1 Registration Fee: Complete payment through the secure U.S. Treasury portal using a major credit or debit card
- Save Confirmation Number: Print and securely store your unique confirmation number needed to check results in May 2027
- Submit Only Once: Multiple entries from the same person will result in disqualification from the entire lottery
- Check Results in May: Use the Entrant Status Check tool on the official website starting May 2027 to see if you were selected
Important Dates and Timeline for Green Card Lottery
Mark these critical dates in your calendar to avoid missing application deadlines:
- September 16, 2025: Final rule published in Federal Register establishing $1 fee requirement
- October 16, 2025: New $1 registration fee takes effect for all future DV lottery entries
- October-November 2025 (TBD): DV-2027 registration period opens and closes (official dates pending State Department announcement)
- May 2027: DV-2027 lottery results become available through Entrant Status Check
- October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027: DV-2027 winners can apply for immigrant visas during fiscal year 2027
- September 30, 2027: Final deadline for DV-2027 visa applications before program year ends
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Card Lottery Changes
Why Is the State Department Charging a $1 Fee for the Green Card Lottery?
The Department of State introduced the fee to distribute program costs across all 25 million annual applicants rather than only the 55,000 lottery winners. This change generates approximately $25 million annually to cover operational expenses including fraud prevention, system maintenance, and enhanced vetting procedures. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid at the time of registration.
When Will DV-2027 Registration Open and How Long Do I Have to Apply?
The State Department has not yet announced official DV-2027 registration dates as of October 2025. Based on historical patterns, the registration period typically runs from early October through early November, giving applicants about 30-35 days to submit entries. However, this year's program has been delayed beyond the usual early October start date.
Can I Get a Refund If I'm Not Selected in the Green Card Lottery?
No, the $1 registration fee is non-refundable regardless of lottery results. The fee cannot be transferred to future lottery years, and you must pay again if you wish to enter subsequent years' lotteries. Only pay through the official dvprogram.state.gov website to avoid scams charging higher fees.
Are Cuban Nationals Permanently Banned from the Diversity Visa Lottery?
Cuban nationals are ineligible for DV-2026 specifically because over 50,000 Cubans immigrated to the U.S. in the past five years. Eligibility is recalculated annually based on immigration statistics, so Cuban natives may become eligible again in future years if immigration numbers drop below the threshold. Check the official eligibility list when each new lottery opens.
How Can I Avoid Green Card Lottery Scams and Fraud?
Only use the official U.S. government website at dvprogram.state.gov to submit your entry. The State Department will never contact you by email or letter to notify you of selection or request payment. Check your status only through the official Entrant Status Check tool using your confirmation number. Be wary of third-party websites charging excessive fees or promising guaranteed selection.
What You Need to Know Before Applying
The introduction of the $1 registration fee and delayed DV-2027 timeline represent significant shifts in the Diversity Visa Lottery program. While the fee may seem minimal, it reflects the State Department's efforts to enhance fraud prevention and distribute operational costs more equitably across millions of applicants worldwide.
Before submitting your application, ensure your passport photo meets all official requirements to avoid automatic disqualification. VisaPics specializes in creating compliant passport and visa photos for U.S. immigration applications, including diversity visa lottery entries. Start preparing your documents now, monitor the official State Department website for DV-2027 registration dates, and remember that only one entry per person is permitted each year.