Green Card Lottery 2025: Major Updates Announced
The U.S. Department of State announced significant green card lottery updates in November 2025, marking the most substantial changes to the Diversity Visa (DV) Program in years. The DV-2027 registration period has been delayed beyond its traditional October opening, a new $1 entry fee is now mandatory, and 129,516 applicants were selected in the DV-2026 lottery from over 20.8 million entries.
These changes affect millions of prospective immigrants worldwide who rely on the diversity visa lottery as their pathway to permanent U.S. residency. The State Department confirmed that registration dates will be widely publicized in the coming months on travel.state.gov.
Key Changes to the Green Card Lottery Program
The diversity visa lottery program has introduced several critical updates that applicants must know before registration opens:
- New $1 Registration Fee: For the first time in program history, DV-2027 applicants must pay a $1 electronic entry fee, effective immediately after the Federal Register publication on September 16, 2025
- Registration Delay: The traditional October opening has been postponed to allow for system modernization and enhanced fraud detection capabilities
- 129,516 DV-2026 Winners Selected: Results announced May 3, 2025, with winners able to apply for immigrant visas from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026
- 55,000 Annual Visa Cap: The program continues to offer up to 55,000 diversity immigrant visas per fiscal year, with more selectees than available visas to account for no-shows and disqualifications
- Enhanced Verification Systems: Upgraded portal features improved screening to detect duplicate and fraudulent entries
The $330 visa application fee for lottery winners remains unchanged. Winners selected in the DV-2026 lottery can check their status exclusively through the official Entrant Status Check portal at dvprogram.state.gov.
Who Is Affected By These Green Card Lottery Changes
These diversity visa lottery updates impact different groups in various ways. Understanding how these changes affect you helps with proper preparation and planning.
For First-Time Green Card Lottery Applicants
New applicants must prepare to pay the $1 registration fee using an electronic payment method when the DV-2027 registration opens. Budget for both the entry fee and potential passport photo requirements, as applicants will need compliant visa photos that meet strict U.S. government specifications.
For DV-2026 Lottery Winners
The 129,516 selectees from the May 3, 2025 announcement have until September 30, 2026 to complete their immigrant visa applications. Winners must act quickly, gather required documentation including passport photos, birth certificates, and police clearances, and schedule their consular interviews before the fiscal year deadline.
For Previous Lottery Participants
Past applicants who were not selected must re-enter for DV-2027 when registration opens. Previous entries do not carry over, and the new $1 fee applies to all entries regardless of prior participation in the program.
How to Register for the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery - Step by Step
Follow these steps to complete your diversity visa lottery application when registration opens:
- Monitor Official Announcement: Check dvprogram.state.gov and travel.state.gov regularly for the official DV-2027 registration opening date, expected in late 2025
- Prepare Required Documents: Obtain a recent passport-style photo meeting diversity visa photo requirements (2x2 inches, white background, taken within last 6 months)
- Gather Personal Information: Have passport details, birth certificate, educational qualifications, and spouse/children information ready before starting your application
- Complete Online Entry Form: Submit your electronic entry through the official State Department website only - avoid third-party services and scam websites
- Pay $1 Registration Fee: Complete payment using accepted electronic payment methods during the registration process
- Save Confirmation Number: Print or screenshot your confirmation number immediately - this is the only way to check your lottery results in May 2026
- Submit Only Once: Multiple entries will result in disqualification - submit one entry per person during the registration window
Important Dates and Timeline for Green Card Lottery
Mark these critical diversity visa lottery deadlines on your calendar:
- May 3, 2025: DV-2026 lottery results announced via Entrant Status Check portal
- October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026: DV-2026 winners can apply for immigrant visas and attend consular interviews
- Late 2025 (TBA): DV-2027 registration period opens with mandatory $1 entry fee
- November 2025 (Expected): DV-2027 registration period closes after approximately 30-day window
- May 2026: DV-2027 lottery results expected to be announced
- September 30, 2026: Final deadline for DV-2026 winners to obtain immigrant visas
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Card Lottery Updates
Why Is the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration Delayed?
The State Department is modernizing the registration portal and implementing enhanced verification systems to detect duplicate and fraudulent entries. The delay allows for system upgrades and improved security measures to protect the integrity of the diversity visa program.
How Much Does It Cost to Enter the Green Card Lottery?
Starting with DV-2027, there is a mandatory $1 electronic registration fee to submit your diversity visa lottery entry. If selected, winners must also pay a $330 visa application fee to the U.S. Department of State, plus any medical examination and document preparation costs required for the immigrant visa process.
How Many People Win the Diversity Visa Lottery Each Year?
For DV-2026, the State Department selected 129,516 entrants from over 20.8 million qualified entries. However, only 55,000 diversity immigrant visas are available annually. More applicants are selected than visas available because many winners do not complete the process, fail to qualify, or reach country-specific caps limiting any single country to 7% of available visas.
How Do I Check My Green Card Lottery Results?
Check your diversity visa lottery status exclusively through the official Entrant Status Check at dvprogram.state.gov using your confirmation number. The U.S. government does not send emails, letters, or phone calls to notify winners - any such communication is a scam. Results remain available from May announcement through at least September 30 of the following year.
What You Need to Know About the Green Card Lottery
The diversity visa lottery remains one of the most accessible pathways to U.S. permanent residency for eligible applicants from qualifying countries. The new $1 entry fee and modernized systems demonstrate the State Department's commitment to reducing fraud while maintaining program accessibility for millions of hopeful immigrants worldwide.
If you're planning to enter the DV-2027 lottery, start preparing now by ensuring your passport photo meets official requirements and gathering necessary documentation. VisaPics offers compliant passport and visa photos for all U.S. immigration applications, including diversity visa lottery entries. Monitor dvprogram.state.gov for the official registration opening announcement, and remember to save your confirmation number for checking results in May 2026.