Green Card Lottery 2026: Current Status and Key Updates
Green card lottery updates for November 2025 reveal significant developments for both DV-2026 winners and prospective DV-2027 applicants. The U.S. Department of State has selected 129,516 applicants from over 20.8 million qualified entries for the fiscal year 2026 diversity visa program, with interviews now underway at U.S. embassies worldwide.
However, only approximately 55,000 diversity visas will actually be issued, meaning selectees must act quickly to secure their spot before the September 30, 2026 deadline. Meanwhile, the anticipated DV-2027 registration period remains delayed as the State Department implements new systems.
Key Changes in the Green Card Lottery Program
Several important updates affect both current DV-2026 selectees and future applicants planning to enter DV-2027.
- DV-2026 Selection Complete: 129,516 winners chosen from 20.8 million entries in May 2025
- New $1 Registration Fee: Starting with DV-2027, all applicants must pay a mandatory non-refundable fee
- DV-2027 Registration Delayed: The traditional October start date has been postponed for technical upgrades
- Cuba Ineligibility: Cuban natives declared ineligible for DV-2026 due to exceeding 50,000 immigrants in five years
- Enhanced Fraud Detection: New systems being implemented to reduce duplicate and fraudulent entries
- Modernized Portal: The State Department is updating the registration infrastructure for better user experience
The State Department has indicated that "dates for the DV-2027 program registration period will be widely publicized in the coming months." This delay affects millions of prospective applicants who typically begin preparing their entries in October.
Who Is Affected by These Green Card Lottery Updates
These changes impact different groups of immigrants and prospective applicants in various ways.
For DV-2026 Selectees
If you were selected in the DV-2026 lottery, you must complete your visa interview and application before September 30, 2026. Ensure all your documents, including your passport photo that meets U.S. visa requirements, are ready well before your scheduled interview.
For Prospective DV-2027 Applicants
The delay gives you extra time to prepare your application materials. Use this period to gather required documents, take a compliant green card lottery photo, and save the $1 registration fee. The State Department will announce the new registration dates through official channels.
For Cuban Nationals
Cuban natives selected for DV-2026 have been notified of their ineligibility. Under U.S. law, countries sending more than 50,000 immigrants in the previous five-year period are excluded from the program.
How to Check Your DV-2026 Selection Status
Follow these steps to verify if you were selected in the green card lottery.
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to dvprogram.state.gov/ESC/ (Entrant Status Check)
- Enter Your Confirmation Number: Use the unique number you received when you submitted your entry
- Provide Personal Information: Enter your last name and year of birth exactly as on your original entry
- Review Your Status: The system will display whether you were selected or not
- Save Your Case Number: If selected, record your case number immediately for all future correspondence
Important Dates and Timeline
Mark these critical deadlines for the green card lottery program.
- May 3, 2025: DV-2026 results became available online
- October 1, 2025: FY 2026 began; DV-2026 visa interviews started
- November 2025: DV-2026 interviews ongoing; DV-2027 registration still delayed
- September 30, 2026: Final deadline for all DV-2026 visa issuance
- TBD (Coming Months): DV-2027 registration period to be announced
Frequently Asked Questions
When Will DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration Open?
The State Department has not announced specific dates yet. The delay is due to implementing the new $1 registration fee system and enhanced fraud detection. Check the official dvprogram.state.gov website regularly for announcements.
Why Is There a New $1 Fee for the Green Card Lottery?
The $1 non-refundable fee helps reduce fraudulent and duplicate entries. Previously, free registration led to millions of invalid entries. The fee also supports modernizing the registration infrastructure and processing systems.
How Do I Know if I Won the DV-2026 Lottery?
The only legitimate way to check your status is through the Entrant Status Check at dvprogram.state.gov/ESC/. The State Department does not send emails or letters to winners. Any communication claiming you won is likely a scam.
What Are the Photo Requirements for the Green Card Lottery?
Your diversity visa photo must be recent (within 6 months), 600x600 pixels minimum, show a neutral expression, and have a plain white or off-white background. Using VisaPics ensures your photo meets all official U.S. Department of State requirements.
What You Need to Know: Bottom Line
The green card lottery program is undergoing significant changes. DV-2026 selectees have until September 30, 2026 to complete their visa applications, while the DV-2027 program introduces a new $1 fee requirement and remains delayed pending technical upgrades. Cuban nationals are ineligible for DV-2026 due to high immigration numbers.
Whether you're a DV-2026 selectee preparing for your interview or planning to apply for DV-2027, ensure all your documents meet official requirements. Check that your passport and visa photos comply with U.S. specifications, and only use official government websites for status checks and applications. Stay alert for scams, as the State Department never contacts lottery winners via email or postal mail.
Sources: - [U.S. Department of State - DV Program Update](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/update-on-dv-program-2026.html) - [Official DV Lottery Portal](https://dvprogram.state.gov/) - [USAGov - DV Lottery Results](https://www.usa.gov/dv-lottery-results) - [BAL Immigration News - November 2025 Visa Bulletin](https://www.bal.com/immigration-news/united-states-november-2025-visa-bulletin-dates-for-filing-chart-show-no-movement-diversity-visa-lottery-2026-updates/)