Historic $1 Registration Fee Introduced for Green Card Lottery
The U.S. Department of State announced a groundbreaking change to the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program on September 16, 2025, introducing the first-ever registration fee in the program's history. Beginning October 16, 2025, all DV-2027 applicants must pay a mandatory $1 electronic registration fee to enter the annual green card lottery. This marks a significant shift for a program that has provided free entry opportunities since its inception in 1990.
The new fee will apply to the upcoming DV-2027 registration period, expected to open in early October 2025 and close in early November 2025. However, the fee itself doesn't take effect until October 16, meaning early applicants who register before that date may not need to pay, though official guidance is still pending from the State Department.
Key Changes for DV-2027 Green Card Lottery
The DV-2027 program brings several important updates that applicants need to understand before registering:
- $1 Registration Fee: Non-refundable payment required at time of online submission via official government website (effective October 16, 2025)
- Cuba Excluded: Cuban nationals remain ineligible for DV-2027 after exceeding 50,000 immigrants to the US in the past five years
- Bangladesh Still Excluded: Bangladesh continues to be ineligible along with China, India, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, Mexico, and several others
- United Kingdom Now Eligible: UK and its dependent territories regained eligibility for DV-2027, marking a historic shift in the program
- 55,000 Visas Available: Annual allocation remains unchanged, though actual availability may be less due to regional caps
- $330 Application Fee Unchanged: Winners still pay the standard $330 visa application fee if selected, plus additional processing costs
The new $1 fee is expected to generate approximately $25 million annually from an estimated 25 million registrants. These funds will support operational costs, system upgrades, enhanced data collection, and security reviews to combat fraud.
Who Is Affected by These Changes
The new registration fee and eligibility changes impact millions of prospective immigrants worldwide. Understanding how these updates affect different groups is crucial for successful application.
For First-Time Applicants
If you're applying to the green card lottery for the first time, you must budget for the $1 registration fee in addition to ensuring you meet education or work experience requirements. You'll need a valid credit card or electronic payment method to complete your DV-2027 entry. Remember that proper passport photos meeting strict US visa photo specifications are mandatory for a valid application.
For Cuban and Bangladeshi Nationals
Unfortunately, if you were born in Cuba or Bangladesh, you are not eligible for DV-2027 due to high immigration numbers to the United States over the past five years. However, you may claim eligibility through your spouse's country of birth or a parent's country of birth under specific circumstances outlined in the official instructions.
For United Kingdom Residents
UK nationals can celebrate their return to DV-2027 eligibility after being excluded from recent years. This represents a significant opportunity for British citizens seeking permanent residence in the United States through the lottery program. Ensure you have compliant passport photos ready when the registration period opens.
How to Apply for DV-2027 Green Card Lottery - Step by Step
Follow these essential steps to successfully register for the DV-2027 Diversity Visa Lottery:
- Check Your Eligibility: Verify that your country of birth is eligible for DV-2027 and you meet education (high school diploma) or work experience (2 years in qualifying occupation) requirements
- Prepare Required Documents: Gather passport-style photos for yourself and all family members (spouse and unmarried children under 21) meeting exact US passport photo requirements - 2x2 inches, white background, recent photo within 6 months
- Complete Online Entry Form: Visit the official website at dvprogram.state.gov when registration opens (expected early October 2025) and fill out the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form with accurate information
- Pay $1 Registration Fee: Submit payment using a valid credit/debit card or approved electronic payment method - the fee is non-refundable regardless of selection results
- Save Confirmation Number: Print or save your unique confirmation number immediately after submission - you'll need this to check results in May 2026
- Check Results in May 2026: Return to the Entrant Status Check on the official website starting in May 2026 to see if you were selected
Important Dates and Timeline for DV-2027
Mark these critical dates on your calendar to avoid missing application windows or deadlines:
- September 16, 2025: Final rule published in Federal Register announcing $1 registration fee for DV program
- Early October 2025 (Expected Oct 2): DV-2027 registration period opens at noon Eastern Time - exact date to be announced by State Department
- October 16, 2025: New $1 registration fee takes effect (30 days after final rule publication)
- Early November 2025 (Expected Nov 7): DV-2027 registration period closes at noon Eastern Time - no late entries accepted
- May 2026: Selection results announced via Entrant Status Check on official website
- October 2026 - September 2027: Visa interviews and processing for DV-2027 selectees during fiscal year 2027
- September 30, 2027: Final deadline for all DV-2027 winners to obtain visa or adjust status
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is the US Charging a $1 Fee for the Green Card Lottery?
The U.S. Department of State introduced the $1 fee to cover operational costs associated with running the Diversity Visa program, including system maintenance, fraud prevention, security enhancements, and data collection improvements. With approximately 25 million annual entries, this generates $25 million to support program infrastructure. Additionally, the fee may help reduce fraudulent submissions from scammers who previously submitted thousands of fake entries at no cost.
Is the $1 Green Card Lottery Fee Refundable?
No, the $1 electronic registration fee is completely non-refundable. Whether you are selected or not selected in the lottery, you will not receive a refund. This is separate from the $330 visa application fee that only selected winners must pay during the interview process. Make sure to only submit one entry per person to avoid wasting money on duplicate submissions, which are disqualified.
Can I Still Apply for Free Without Paying the $1 Fee?
No legitimate entry to the DV-2027 lottery will be accepted without the $1 registration fee if submitted on or after October 16, 2025. Entries submitted before October 16 may potentially be free, though official guidance is pending. Beware of scam websites claiming to offer "free" entries - only use the official government website at dvprogram.state.gov. Third-party services charging excessive fees should be avoided.
Which Countries Cannot Apply for DV-2027?
Nationals of the following countries are excluded from DV-2027: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela, and Vietnam. These countries sent more than 50,000 family-sponsored or employment-based immigrants to the United States in the past five years. However, you may claim eligibility through your spouse's or parent's country of birth under certain conditions.
What Photo Requirements Must I Meet for DV-2027?
Your diversity visa lottery application requires a digital passport-style photo taken within the last 6 months. The photo must be 2x2 inches (51x51mm), show your full face against a plain white or off-white background, with neutral expression and both eyes open. Photos must meet strict technical specifications including resolution, file size, and format requirements. Using a professional passport photo service that understands US government requirements is highly recommended to avoid disqualification for photo errors, which is one of the most common reasons entries are rejected.
What You Need to Know About DV-2027
The introduction of the $1 registration fee represents a historic change to the Diversity Visa program, but the core opportunity remains the same - a chance at permanent US residency through a random lottery. With DV-2027 registration expected to open in early October 2025, now is the time to prepare your documents, verify your eligibility, and ensure you have compliant photos ready.
Remember that only one entry per person is allowed, and duplicate submissions result in automatic disqualification. Make sure your passport photos meet all official requirements before submitting your application, as photo-related errors are among the top reasons for entry rejection. Visit the official State Department website at dvprogram.state.gov for the most current information, and never use third-party websites claiming to "improve your chances" for excessive fees - the lottery is completely random and fair.