Green Card Lottery December 2025 Updates: What You Need to Know
The green card lottery program continues to evolve as the U.S. State Department releases critical December 2025 visa bulletin updates for DV-2026 selectees. Meanwhile, hopeful applicants await the delayed DV-2027 registration, which will introduce a mandatory $1 entry fee for the first time in the program's 30-year history.
With approximately 129,516 selectees competing for roughly 52,000 available visas, understanding the latest cutoff numbers and deadlines is essential for anyone pursuing the American Dream through the diversity visa program.
December 2025 Visa Bulletin Cutoff Numbers
The State Department has published the December 2025 cutoff numbers that determine which DV-2026 selectees can proceed with their green card applications.
- 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 & Caribbean: 1,850
Visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers below the specified allocation cutoff number. If your case number exceeds these thresholds, you must wait for future bulletin updates.
DV-2026 Program Statistics and Availability
The current green card lottery cycle has seen significant changes affecting visa availability.
- Total Qualified Entries: 20,822,624 submissions received
- Selectees Notified: 129,516 prospective applicants registered
- Available Visas: Reduced to approximately 52,000 (from original 55,000)
- NACARA Reduction: Up to 5,000 visas allocated to NACARA program
- NDAA Amendment: Additional reductions per National Defense Authorization Act
- Country Limit: No country can receive more than 7% of available visas
The reduction from 55,000 to approximately 52,000 visas means competition is tighter than ever. Additionally, Cuban nationals are ineligible for DV-2026 as more than 50,000 Cuban natives immigrated to the United States in the previous five-year period.
Who Is Affected by These Updates
These developments impact different groups of immigration hopefuls in various ways.
For DV-2026 Lottery Winners
If you were selected in the DV-2026 lottery, you have until September 30, 2026 to complete your application and receive your visa. Check your case number against the December cutoff numbers to determine if you can proceed now.
For Future Lottery Applicants
Those planning to enter the DV-2027 lottery must prepare for the new $1 registration fee and shorter application window. Have your payment method ready and monitor the official website daily for registration announcements.
For Immigration Professionals
Attorneys and consultants should advise clients that the DV-2027 delay creates uncertainty. The registration window may be compressed to just 2-3 weeks when it finally opens.
How to Check Your DV-2026 Status - Step by Step
Follow these steps to verify your green card lottery selection status.
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to dvprogram.state.gov
- Enter Confirmation Number: Input your original entry confirmation number
- Provide Personal Details: Enter your last name and date of birth exactly as submitted
- Review Your Status: The system will display whether you were selected
- Download Instructions: If selected, save all provided documents and case number
DV-2027 Registration Delay and New $1 Fee
The State Department has confirmed significant changes coming to the next lottery cycle.
- Traditional Start: Registration typically opens in early October
- Current Status: DV-2027 registration delayed past November 2025
- Expected Opening: December 2025 or January 2026
- New Requirement: Mandatory $1 non-refundable registration fee
- Payment Method: Credit card or electronic payment via U.S. Treasury system
- Expected Revenue: Approximately $25 million annually from 25 million applicants
The fee aims to reduce fraudulent multiple entries and fund system upgrades. The $330 visa application fee for selectees remains unchanged.
Important Dates and Timeline
Mark these critical deadlines for the green card lottery program.
- Now - September 30, 2026: DV-2026 status check available online
- December 2025 or January 2026: Expected DV-2027 registration opening
- 2-3 Weeks After Opening: Anticipated DV-2027 registration deadline
- September 30, 2026: Absolute deadline for DV-2026 visa issuance
- May 2026: Expected DV-2027 results announcement
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know If I Won the Green Card Lottery?
The State Department does not send emails or letters to lottery winners. Any communication claiming you've won is likely fraudulent. Check your status exclusively through the official portal at dvprogram.state.gov using your confirmation number.
What Photo Requirements Apply to My Green Card Lottery Application?
Your diversity visa application requires a recent passport photo meeting strict specifications. Photos must be 2x2 inches (51x51mm), taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background. Using a professional visa photo service ensures your application isn't rejected for photo non-compliance.
Why Is the DV-2027 Lottery Delayed?
The State Department is implementing the new $1 registration fee system, which requires technical updates to the application portal and integration with U.S. Treasury payment processing. The delay allows for proper system testing and security enhancements.
Can I Apply for Multiple Green Card Lottery Entries?
No. Submitting more than one entry per person will result in disqualification. The new $1 fee is designed partly to discourage third-party services from submitting fraudulent multiple entries.
What You Need to Know: Bottom Line
The December 2025 visa bulletin shows continued progress for DV-2026 selectees across all regions. If your case number is below the cutoff for your region, you can proceed with your green card application immediately. Those with higher numbers should monitor monthly bulletin updates.
For DV-2027 hopefuls, preparation is key. Have your passport photo ready meeting all visa application requirements, prepare a valid payment method for the $1 fee, and check dvprogram.state.gov daily for registration announcements. The compressed registration window means you'll need to act quickly when the portal opens.
Sources: - [Visa Bulletin For December 2025 - U.S. Department of State](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-for-december-2025.html) - [DV Lottery Official Portal - State Department](https://dvprogram.state.gov/) - [Check the Diversity Visa Lottery Results - USAGov](https://www.usa.gov/dv-lottery-results) - [U.S. Introduces $1 Fee for Diversity Visa Lottery Registration - Boundless](https://www.boundless.com/blog/us-state-department-introduces-1-dollar-fee-for-dv-lottery-registration) - [DV-2026 Entrant Status Check - State Department](https://dvprogram.state.gov/ESC/)