Green Card Lottery December 2025 Updates Overview
The green card lottery program has entered a critical phase as the U.S. State Department released December 2025 cutoff numbers for DV-2026 selectees while the DV-2027 registration period remains delayed. For the first time in the program's 30-year history, applicants will be required to pay a $1 registration fee.
Currently, 129,516 selectees are competing for approximately 52,000 available diversity visas in the DV-2026 cycle. Meanwhile, millions of potential applicants worldwide are waiting for the DV-2027 registration window to open.
December 2025 DV-2026 Cutoff Numbers Released
The State Department's December 2025 Visa Bulletin establishes new cutoff numbers for each geographic region.
- 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
If your case number falls below your region's cutoff, you can proceed with your visa interview scheduling immediately. However, applicants with higher numbers must wait for future bulletin updates as processing continues through September 2026.
DV-2027 Registration Delayed: What Happened
The DV-2027 green card lottery registration, which traditionally opens in early October, has been delayed by over two months due to significant program changes.
- New $1 Fee Implementation: The State Department is building payment processing infrastructure for the first-ever registration fee
- Expected Opening: Late December 2025 or January 2026
- Shorter Registration Period: Expected to be 2-3 weeks instead of the traditional 30+ days
- Fee Revenue: Approximately $25 million annually from an estimated 25 million registrants
- Final Rule Published: September 16, 2025 in the Federal Register
The State Department stated that registration dates "will be widely publicized in the coming months." Immigration attorneys suggest monitoring the official website daily as the announcement could come with little advance notice.
Who Is Affected by These Green Card Lottery Changes
These updates impact different groups of applicants in distinct ways.
For DV-2026 Selectees
If you were selected in the DV-2026 lottery, you must complete your immigrant visa application before September 30, 2026. Check the December cutoff numbers to determine if your case number is current and you can proceed with interview scheduling.
For DV-2027 Hopeful Applicants
Prepare for the new registration requirements including the $1 fee. Ensure you have a valid debit or credit card ready for the electronic payment. The shorter registration window means you'll need to act quickly once dates are announced.
For Applicants from High-Demand Countries
Selectees from Nepal, Egypt, and Algeria face stricter limitations due to high application volumes. These countries have lower cutoff numbers than their regional averages, meaning longer wait times for visa processing.
How to Check Your DV-2026 Green Card Lottery Status
Follow these steps to verify your selection status and proceed with your application.
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to dvprogram.state.gov/ESC - this is the ONLY legitimate way to check results
- Enter Your Confirmation Number: Use the unique 16-character confirmation number from your original entry
- Review Your Status: The system will show if you've been selected and provide your case number
- Complete DS-260 Form: Selected applicants must submit the online immigrant visa application
- Gather Required Documents: Prepare passport, birth certificates, police clearances, and proper passport photos meeting exact specifications
- Schedule Your Interview: Once your case number becomes current, schedule your consular interview
Important Dates and Timeline for Green Card Lottery
Mark these critical deadlines for both DV-2026 and DV-2027 cycles.
- December 2025: Current month's cutoff numbers in effect for DV-2026 interviews
- Late December 2025 - January 2026: Expected DV-2027 registration window opening
- September 30, 2026: Final deadline for all DV-2026 visa issuance
- October 1, 2026: Start of DV-2027 visa application period for selected applicants
- May 2026: Expected release of DV-2027 selection results
- September 30, 2027: Final deadline for DV-2027 visa issuance
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Pay the New $1 Green Card Lottery Fee?
The $1 fee must be paid electronically during online registration. You'll need a valid debit card, credit card, or other approved payment method. The payment system will be integrated directly into the registration portal at dvprogram.state.gov.
What Happens If I Miss the DV-2027 Registration Window?
The registration period is expected to be only 2-3 weeks long. If you miss this window, you'll have to wait until the following year's cycle (DV-2028) to apply. There are no exceptions or late entries accepted under any circumstances.
Why Is My Country Not Eligible for the Diversity Visa Lottery?
Countries with high immigration rates to the United States are excluded from the DV lottery. Currently ineligible countries include Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom, and Venezuela. Cuba was also declared ineligible for DV-2026.
What Photo Requirements Apply to Green Card Lottery Applications?
DV lottery photos must meet strict specifications: 2x2 inches (51x51mm), white or off-white background, taken within the last 6 months, and showing your full face. Using VisaPics ensures your photo meets all requirements to avoid disqualification.
What You Need to Know About Green Card Lottery Updates
The green card lottery remains one of the most accessible pathways to U.S. permanent residence, but the program is undergoing significant changes. DV-2026 selectees should monitor monthly visa bulletins and prepare all documentation before their case numbers become current. The December 2025 cutoffs show continued progress across all regions.
For DV-2027, the delayed registration and new $1 fee represent the biggest program changes in decades. Ensure your passport photo meets exact specifications before the registration window opens, and have your payment method ready. Stay informed by checking travel.state.gov regularly, and avoid any emails or letters claiming you've won—the State Department never sends direct notifications to lottery winners.
Sources: - [Visa Bulletin For December 2025 - U.S. State Department](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-for-december-2025.html) - [Changes to Entry Period for 2027 Diversity Visa Program](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/changes-to-2027-dv-program-entry-period.html) - [Diversity Visa Entrant Status Check](https://dvprogram.state.gov/ESC/) - [DV Lottery Eligibility - USAGov](https://www.usa.gov/dv-lottery-eligibility) - [DV Lottery Results - USAGov](https://www.usa.gov/dv-lottery-results)