Green Card Lottery December 2025: What's New
Green card lottery applicants have major updates to track this December 2025. The U.S. State Department released new cutoff numbers for DV-2026 selectees while confirming that DV-2027 registration remains delayed due to the implementation of a historic $1 entry fee.
Approximately 129,516 selectees are currently competing for roughly 52,000 available diversity visas in the DV-2026 program. Meanwhile, millions of hopeful applicants await the opening of DV-2027 registration, now expected between late December 2025 and January 2026.
December 2025 DV-2026 Cutoff Numbers Released
The State Department's December 2025 Visa Bulletin provides updated cutoff numbers for DV-2026 applicants by region.
- Africa: 17,500 (Algeria: 17,250, Egypt: 16,000)
- Asia: 10,000 (Nepal: 6,000 due to high volume)
- Europe: 7,750
- North America (Bahamas): 20
- Oceania: 1,100
- South America and Caribbean: 1,850
If your case number falls below your region's cutoff, you can schedule your interview immediately. However, selectees from Nepal and Egypt face stricter limitations due to exceptionally high application volumes from these countries.
DV-2027 Registration Delayed: New $1 Fee Explained
For the first time in the diversity visa lottery's 30-year history, applicants must pay a fee to enter.
- Fee Amount: $1 non-refundable registration fee
- Effective Date: DV-2027 cycle (registration expected late December 2025 or January 2026)
- Purpose: More fairly allocate costs of managing the random selection process
- Expected Revenue: Approximately $25 million annually from 25 million registrants
- Additional Note: This is separate from the $330 visa application fee for selected winners
The State Department published this final rule on September 16, 2025. Registration windows may also be shorter than the traditional 30+ days—experts predict a 2-3 week window instead.
Who Is Affected by These Green Card Lottery Updates
These changes impact different groups of diversity visa applicants in specific ways.
For DV-2026 Selectees
You must complete your visa application or adjustment of status by September 30, 2026. Check your status at dvprogram.state.gov using your confirmation number. Ensure your passport photo meets requirements before scheduling your interview.
For Future DV-2027 Applicants
Prepare your $1 payment method (credit/debit card) and gather required documents now. The shorter registration window means you'll need to act quickly once registration opens. Have your visa photo specifications ready in advance.
For Cuba and UK Entrants
The State Department issued corrections affecting these countries. Cuban natives are ineligible for DV-2026 due to exceeding statutory immigration limits. Some UK entrants should recheck their status, though Northern Ireland natives are not affected.
How to Check Your DV-2026 Status - Step by Step
Follow these steps to verify your selection status.
- Visit the official portal: Go to dvprogram.state.gov/ESC/ only—never use third-party sites
- Enter your confirmation number: Use the 16-character code from your original entry
- Provide your personal details: Enter your last name and year of birth exactly as submitted
- Review your status: If selected, you'll see instructions for next steps
- Save your documentation: Download and print all confirmation pages for your records
Important Dates and Timeline
Mark these critical deadlines for both DV-2026 and DV-2027 programs.
- Now - September 30, 2026: DV-2026 results available for checking
- Late December 2025 - January 2026: Expected DV-2027 registration opening
- September 30, 2026: Final deadline for all DV-2026 visa issuance
- October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027: DV-2027 visa application period (for future selectees)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the $1 Green Card Lottery Fee Mandatory?
Yes, starting with DV-2027, all applicants must pay the $1 non-refundable fee to submit their entry. This fee is separate from the $330 diversity visa application fee that only selected winners pay later. Payment will be made electronically during registration.
How Do I Know If I Won the Green Card Lottery?
The only official way to check is through dvprogram.state.gov/ESC/ using your confirmation number. The government never sends emails, calls, or letters about lottery results. Any such communication is a scam—report it immediately.
What Documents Do I Need for My DV Interview?
You'll need a valid passport, birth certificate, police certificates, medical examination results, and compliant passport photos. Requirements vary by embassy, so check your specific interview location's requirements. VisaPics can help ensure your photos meet exact specifications.
What You Need to Know Now
The green card lottery landscape is shifting significantly in December 2025. DV-2026 selectees should act promptly—your deadline of September 30, 2026 is firm, and unused visas cannot carry over. Check the December cutoff numbers to see if you can proceed with your application.
For those planning to enter DV-2027, prepare now by having your $1 payment ready and documents organized. With a potentially shorter registration window, you'll need to act fast when it opens. Ensure your passport photo meets all requirements before you begin your application—VisaPics helps applicants from over 170 countries get compliant photos for their visa applications.