Major Changes Coming to Green Card Lottery Program
The U.S. Department of State announced groundbreaking changes to the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program in September 2025, marking the first time in the program's history that applicants will pay a registration fee. Starting October 16, 2025, all individuals entering the green card lottery must pay a $1 electronic registration fee, ending decades of free entry. Additionally, the DV-2027 registration period has been delayed beyond its typical October opening date.
These updates affect millions of prospective immigrants worldwide who rely on the diversity visa lottery as their pathway to permanent U.S. residency. The State Department published the final rule establishing the new fee in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025, with immediate effect.
Key Changes to Diversity Visa Lottery Program
The State Department has implemented several significant modifications to strengthen the integrity of the DV lottery system:
- $1 Registration Fee: Effective October 16, 2025, all DV lottery entries require a $1 electronic payment (previously free)
- DV-2027 Registration Delayed: The typical early October opening has been postponed to allow for entry process modifications
- Enhanced Passport Requirements: Proposed rule requires valid, unexpired passport information and biographic page scans for most applicants
- Strengthened Fraud Prevention: New vetting measures introduced on August 5, 2025, to combat fraudulent applications
- DV-2026 Results Available: Winners can check their status from May 3, 2025, through September 30, 2026
The registration fee represents a historic shift in program administration. Previously, only lottery winners paid fees during the visa application process, but now all entrants must contribute.
Who Is Affected By These Green Card Lottery Changes
These updates impact different groups of diversity visa applicants in specific ways. Understanding how these changes affect your situation is crucial for successful application.
For First-Time DV Lottery Applicants
If you're planning to enter the green card lottery for the first time, prepare for the new $1 registration fee and potential passport documentation requirements. Budget for this cost and ensure you have a valid passport before the DV-2027 registration period opens. Check the official State Department website at dvprogram.state.gov for registration date announcements.
For Previous DV Lottery Entrants
Veterans of the diversity visa lottery will notice immediate changes in the registration process. The free entry you've experienced in previous years no longer applies, and you'll need payment capability for the $1 fee. Additionally, enhanced vetting requirements may require more documentation than previous application cycles.
For DV-2026 Selectees
If you were selected in the DV-2026 lottery, these new rules don't affect your current application process. However, ensure your passport photo meets all official requirements before your visa interview, as photo rejections can delay processing. Winners have until September 30, 2026, to complete their visa processing.
How to Prepare for DV-2027 Registration - Step by Step
Follow these essential steps to prepare for the upcoming diversity visa lottery registration period:
- Monitor Official Announcements: Check dvprogram.state.gov regularly for DV-2027 registration dates (State Department will announce widely in coming months)
- Verify Your Eligibility: Confirm your country of birth is eligible (countries like China, India, Mexico, and Nigeria are excluded due to high immigration rates)
- Prepare Payment Method: Set up electronic payment capability for the $1 registration fee (credit card, debit card, or electronic payment accepted)
- Obtain Valid Passport: Secure an unexpired passport and scan the biographic page at high quality (unless exempt under proposed rules)
- Gather Required Documents: Prepare recent passport-style photos meeting strict State Department specifications for yourself and all family members
- Create Digital Copies: Scan all documents at required resolution before registration period opens to avoid last-minute technical issues
Important Dates and Timeline for Green Card Lottery
Mark these critical dates on your calendar to stay ahead of diversity visa lottery deadlines:
- September 16, 2025: State Department published final rule establishing $1 registration fee in Federal Register
- October 16, 2025: New $1 electronic registration fee takes effect for all future DV lottery entries
- May 3, 2025 - September 30, 2026: DV-2026 selectees can check results and process visa applications
- Early-to-Mid October 2025 (estimated): DV-2027 registration period expected to open (exact dates to be announced)
- Registration Period Duration: Typically runs for 30-35 days once opened (approximately one month window)
- September 30, 2026: Final deadline for DV-2026 winners to receive diversity visas (fiscal year ends)
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Card Lottery Updates
Why Is the State Department Charging a $1 Fee for DV Lottery Registration?
The State Department introduced the $1 registration fee to enhance program integrity and combat fraud in the diversity visa lottery system. This nominal fee helps offset administrative costs and may discourage fraudulent mass entries. The fee was officially established through a final rule published in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025, and took effect immediately.
When Will DV-2027 Registration Open?
The State Department has confirmed a delay in the DV-2027 registration opening, which typically occurs in early October. Officials indicated the delay relates to modifications being made to the entry process, including enhanced vetting requirements. The State Department promises to widely publicize registration dates in the coming months, so prospective applicants should monitor dvprogram.state.gov for official announcements.
Do I Need a Passport to Enter the Green Card Lottery?
Under proposed rules announced August 5, 2025, most DV lottery applicants will need to submit valid, unexpired passport information and scans of biographic pages. However, this passport requirement has not been finalized for immediate implementation due to the rulemaking timeline. Check official State Department guidance before the DV-2027 registration period opens to confirm final requirements.
Can I Still Enter the Diversity Visa Lottery for Free?
No, free entry to the green card lottery ended with the implementation of the $1 registration fee on October 16, 2025. All future diversity visa lottery registrations require this electronic payment. However, this remains the only cost to enter—applicants only pay additional fees if selected as lottery winners and proceed with visa processing.
What You Need to Know About Green Card Lottery Changes
The introduction of the $1 registration fee and enhanced vetting requirements represent the most significant changes to the diversity visa lottery program in years. While the fee is nominal, it marks a fundamental shift in program administration and signals stronger anti-fraud measures ahead. DV-2027 applicants should prepare for a modified registration process with additional documentation requirements.
If you're planning to enter the green card lottery, start preparing now by verifying your eligibility, securing a valid passport, and ensuring your passport photo meets all official requirements. Visit the official State Department website at dvprogram.state.gov for registration announcements, and remember that only entries submitted through the official portal are valid—beware of fraudulent third-party websites charging excessive fees. With proper preparation and attention to photo specifications, you'll be ready when DV-2027 registration opens in the coming months.