Green Card Lottery 2025 Updates: DV-2027 Delayed With New $1 Fee & Registration Timeline

DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration Officially Delayed

The U.S. State Department has confirmed that the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery registration has been delayed past its traditional October 2025 opening date. For the first time in over 30 years, applicants will be required to pay a $1 non-refundable registration fee to enter the diversity visa lottery program. As of November 26, 2025, no official registration date has been announced, leaving thousands of international applicants in a waiting period.

The diversity visa program, which offers approximately 55,000 immigrant visas annually to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States, typically opens for registration in early October. However, the State Department is implementing significant modernization changes that have pushed back the timeline for DV-2027.

Key Changes for Green Card Lottery DV-2027

The Department of State has introduced several major updates that will fundamentally change how applicants participate in the diversity visa lottery:

• $1 Registration Fee: First-ever mandatory fee established by Federal Register rule on September 16, 2025 (non-refundable regardless of selection outcome)
• Passport Requirement: All principal applicants must upload a clear digital scan of their valid passport's biographic page during registration
• Enhanced Identity Verification: New fraud prevention systems and passport validation technology integrated into modernized registration portal
• Delayed Registration Timeline: Opening pushed from October 2025 to estimated December 2025-January 2026 window
• Shorter Entry Period: Immigration experts predict registration window may be reduced to 2-3 weeks instead of traditional 4-5 weeks
• Stricter Photo Requirements: Updated biometric standards requiring 600×600 pixel photos taken within last 6 months with plain white background

The existing $330 visa application fee for selected winners remains unchanged and will still be required after selection. Additionally, the State Department stated that registration dates "will be widely publicized in the coming months" through official channels.

Who Is Affected By These Green Card Lottery Changes

These updates impact millions of potential diversity visa applicants worldwide, particularly those from eligible countries preparing to enter the DV-2027 lottery.

For First-Time Green Card Lottery Applicants

If you're planning to apply for the diversity visa lottery for the first time, you must now budget for the $1 entry fee and ensure you have a valid passport before registration opens. The new passport requirement means you cannot submit an entry without valid travel documentation, unlike previous years when passport information could be provided later in the process.

For Previous DV Lottery Participants

Even if you've entered the green card lottery in past years, you'll need to adapt to the new fee-based system and enhanced security requirements. Your previous entry information will not be saved, and you must create a fresh application with valid passport documentation and compliant biometric photos.

For Countries With High Application Volumes

Applicants from countries with historically high participation rates—such as Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and African nations—should prepare documents early. The shortened registration window and potential website congestion during peak hours make advance preparation critical for successful submission.

How to Prepare for DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration

Follow these steps to ensure you're ready when registration opens:

1. Obtain a Valid Passport: Apply for or renew your passport immediately if expired or expiring soon—processing times vary by country (4-12 weeks typical)
2. Prepare Compliant Photos: Get professional biometric photos in 600×600 pixel format with white background taken within last 6 months—ensure your passport photo meets requirements for faster processing
3. Gather Required Documents: Collect birth certificates, marriage certificates, and educational credentials for yourself and all dependents listed on application
4. Set Up Payment Method: Ensure you have a valid credit/debit card or electronic payment method accepted by U.S. government systems for the $1 fee
5. Monitor Official Website: Check travel.state.gov regularly for registration opening announcement—bookmark the official DV program page at dvprogram.state.gov
6. Verify Eligibility: Confirm your country of birth is eligible—19 countries including Bangladesh, China, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam are excluded for DV-2027
7. Create Reminder Alerts: Set multiple calendar reminders for estimated December 2025-January 2026 timeframe to avoid missing the shortened registration window

Important Dates and Timeline for Green Card Lottery

Mark these critical dates and periods for the diversity visa program:

• September 16, 2025: Final rule establishing $1 registration fee published in Federal Register
• October 2025: Traditional registration opening missed due to system modernization delays
• November 26, 2025: Registration date still unannounced—State Department promises "widely publicized" announcement coming soon
• December 2025 - January 2026 (Estimated): Expected registration window opening with 2-3 week entry period for DV-2027
• May 2026 (Projected): DV-2027 lottery results expected to be published based on historical patterns
• October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027: Visa application and interview period for DV-2027 selectees

Frequently Asked Questions About Green Card Lottery Updates

Why Is the DV-2027 Registration Delayed and When Will It Open?

The State Department delayed the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery to implement new security measures, including the $1 fee system, enhanced passport validation, and fraud prevention technology. While no official date is confirmed, immigration experts predict registration will open between December 2025 and January 2026, with a shorter 2-3 week application window. Applicants should monitor dvprogram.state.gov for the official announcement.

Is the $1 Green Card Lottery Fee Refundable If I'm Not Selected?

No, the $1 registration fee is completely non-refundable regardless of whether you are selected in the diversity visa lottery. This fee is separate from the $330 visa application fee that selected winners must pay later during the interview process. The $1 fee only covers the cost of submitting your entry into the lottery system and cannot be refunded or transferred to future lottery years.

Can I Still Apply for DV-2027 Without a Passport Right Now?

No, starting with DV-2027, every principal applicant must have a valid passport and upload a clear digital scan of the biographic page during registration. You cannot submit an entry without meeting this requirement. If your passport is expired or you don't have one, apply immediately as processing times can take 4-12 weeks depending on your country of citizenship.

What Countries Are Excluded From the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery?

Citizens of 19 countries are excluded from DV-2027 due to high recent immigration rates to the United States: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela, and Vietnam. However, you may qualify through your spouse's country of birth if different from your own.

What You Need to Know About the Green Card Lottery

The DV-2027 Green Card Lottery represents a significant shift in how the United States administers its diversity visa program. The new $1 fee, mandatory passport requirement, and enhanced security measures aim to reduce fraud while maintaining accessibility to the approximately 55,000 annual diversity visas available.

With the registration window expected to open soon, now is the time to prepare your documents and ensure your passport photo meets requirements for both your passport and diversity visa application. Check your eligibility, gather required documents, and bookmark the official registration portal at dvprogram.state.gov to avoid missing the shortened entry period when it opens.

--- **Sources:** - [U.S. Department of State - Diversity Visa Program](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry.html) - [Electronic Diversity Visa Entry](https://dvprogram.state.gov/ESC/) - [USA.gov - Diversity Visa Lottery Information](https://www.usa.gov/dv-lottery-results) - [Boundless - U.S. Introduces $1 Fee for DV Lottery](https://www.boundless.com/blog/us-state-department-introduces-1-dollar-fee-for-dv-lottery-registration) - [VisaVerge - DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Updates](https://www.visaverge.com/news/dv-2027-green-card-lottery-new-1-fee-passport-checks-and-more/)