Green Card Lottery December 2025: Key Updates
The green card lottery program enters a pivotal phase in December 2025, with major developments affecting both current DV-2026 selectees and hopeful DV-2027 applicants. The U.S. State Department has released updated visa bulletin cutoff numbers while implementing unprecedented changes to the diversity visa registration process.
Approximately 129,516 selectees from the DV-2026 lottery are now competing for roughly 52,000 available diversity visas. Meanwhile, millions worldwide await the delayed DV-2027 registration opening, which will introduce a mandatory $1 entry fee for the first time in the program's 30-year history.
DV-2026 December Cutoff Numbers by Region
The December 2025 visa bulletin establishes which green card lottery selectees can proceed with their immigrant visa applications this month.
- Africa: 17,500 (Algeria: 17,250, Egypt: 16,000)
- Asia: 10,000 (Nepal: 6,000)
- Europe: 7,750
- North America (Bahamas): 20
- Oceania: 1,100
- South America and Caribbean: 1,850
Visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers below these specified cutoff numbers. If your case number exceeds these thresholds, you must wait for future visa bulletin updates to proceed with your application.
Who Is Affected by These Green Card Lottery Updates
These developments impact two distinct groups of diversity visa applicants with different timelines and requirements.
For DV-2026 Selectees
If you were selected in the DV-2026 lottery, you have until September 30, 2026 to complete your immigrant visa process. Check your case number against the December cutoff numbers to determine if you can schedule your interview. Ensure your passport photo meets requirements before your consular appointment.
For DV-2027 Hopeful Applicants
Registration for the DV-2027 green card lottery remains pending as the State Department implements new antifraud measures. You will need to pay a $1 non-refundable registration fee when the portal opens. Immigration attorneys anticipate a condensed 2-3 week registration window.
For Current Green Card Lottery Winners
Selected applicants must complete all visa requirements before the September 30, 2026 deadline. This includes passing the immigrant visa interview, completing medical examinations, and providing all required documentation including compliant visa photos.
How to Check Your DV-2026 Lottery Status
Follow these steps to verify your green card lottery selection status.
- Visit the official portal: Go to dvprogram.state.gov/ESC — this is the only legitimate status check website
- Enter your confirmation number: Use the 16-character confirmation number you received when submitting your entry
- Review your selection status: The system will display whether you were selected and your case number
- Note your case number: Compare it against regional cutoff numbers in the visa bulletin
- Schedule your interview: If your number is current, complete form DS-260 and schedule your consular appointment
Important Green Card Lottery Dates and Deadlines
Mark these critical dates for the DV-2026 and DV-2027 programs.
- December 2025: Current visa bulletin cutoff numbers in effect for DV-2026
- December 2025 - January 2026: Expected DV-2027 registration window opening
- September 30, 2026: Final deadline for DV-2026 visa issuance
- October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027: DV-2027 visa application period (for selectees)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new $1 green card lottery registration fee?
Starting with DV-2027, all diversity visa lottery applicants must pay a $1 non-refundable fee when submitting their entry. This fee was published in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025, and represents the first registration fee in the program's 30-year history. The fee aims to reduce fraudulent entries and fund program improvements.
Why is the DV-2027 registration delayed?
The State Department delayed DV-2027 registration beyond its traditional October start date to implement the new $1 fee payment system and additional antifraud measures. Official registration dates will be announced through the State Department website when the system is ready.
How many green card lottery visas are available for DV-2026?
The DV-2026 program will issue approximately 52,000 diversity visas, reduced from the standard 55,000 due to NACARA allocations and National Defense Authorization Act provisions. With 129,516 selectees competing for these slots, not all selected applicants will receive visas.
Will the State Department email me if I win the lottery?
No. The U.S. Department of State never sends emails, letters, or phone calls to lottery winners. Any communication claiming you've won is a scam. The only legitimate way to check your status is through the official Entrant Status Check at dvprogram.state.gov.
What Green Card Lottery Applicants Need to Know
The December 2025 updates highlight both opportunities and challenges for diversity visa applicants. DV-2026 selectees should monitor monthly visa bulletin releases to track when their case numbers become current. Acting quickly once numbers are available maximizes chances of securing one of the limited visas.
For those planning to enter the DV-2027 lottery, prepare by having a valid passport ready and setting aside the $1 registration fee. When the registration portal opens, ensure your photo meets all visa photo requirements specified by the State Department — incorrect photos are a leading cause of entry disqualification. VisaPics can help ensure your diversity visa photo meets official specifications.
Sources: - [U.S. State Department Visa Bulletin December 2025](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-for-december-2025.html) - [DV-2027 Entry Period Changes](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/changes-to-2027-dv-program-entry-period.html) - [USAGov - DV Lottery Results](https://www.usa.gov/dv-lottery-results) - [State Department DV Program](https://dvprogram.state.gov/) - [DV-2027 Registration Fee Information](https://www.sedkilaw.com/blog/2025/09/new-1-registration-fee-introduced-for-the-u-s-diversity-visa-dv-lottery/)