Green Card Lottery 2027 Registration Delayed Beyond October
The U.S. Department of State has confirmed a delay in opening the DV-2027 Diversity Visa Lottery registration, which typically begins in early October each year. As of October 26, 2025, no official registration dates have been announced, leaving millions of hopeful applicants worldwide waiting for confirmation.
This unprecedented delay coincides with the implementation of a groundbreaking new $1 electronic registration fee, which took effect on October 16, 2025. The State Department has stated that registration dates "will be widely publicized in the coming months" but has not provided a specific timeline or reason for the postponement.
Historic New $1 Registration Fee Takes Effect
For the first time in the program's 30-year history, all green card lottery applicants must pay a $1 electronic registration fee starting with the DV-2027 cycle. This change was published in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025.
- Fee Amount: $1 per entry, paid electronically at time of registration
- Effective Date: October 16, 2025 (applies to DV-2027 and future cycles)
- Revenue Estimate: Expected to generate approximately $25 million annually
- Previous Cost: Registration was completely free; only lottery winners paid a $330 application fee
- Payment Method: Electronic payment collected through the official dvprogram.state.gov website
- Purpose: Cover operational costs of lottery administration, system updates, and security reviews
According to the State Department, the $1 fee "more fairly places the burden of the lottery registration on individuals seeking the benefit of gaining access to the DV application process instead of charging only the small percentage of successful registrants for the costs associated with administering the lottery program."
Who Is Affected By These Changes
These updates impact anyone planning to apply for the diversity visa lottery program, with different considerations for various groups of applicants.
For First-Time Applicants
If you're applying for the green card lottery for the first time, you'll need to budget for the new $1 registration fee and ensure your passport photo meets strict diversity visa requirements. You must wait for the official announcement before submitting your DV-2027 entry.
For Previous Lottery Participants
Even if you've applied in previous years, you'll need to pay the $1 fee for each new entry. The registration process remains largely the same, but you'll need a valid payment method to complete your DV-2027 application when registration opens.
For DV-2026 Winners
If you won the DV-2026 lottery, this delay does not affect your case processing. Continue following your immigrant visa interview schedule and requirements. The DV-2027 lottery is a separate program for fiscal year 2027.
How to Prepare for DV-2027 Registration - Step by Step
While waiting for official registration dates, take these steps to ensure you're ready to apply immediately when the lottery opens.
- Check Your Eligibility: Verify your country of birth qualifies (most countries eligible; Cuba excluded for DV-2026)
- Prepare Valid Passport Photos: Obtain compliant diversity visa photos meeting strict U.S. government specifications for size, background, and format
- Gather Required Documents: Have your passport, birth certificate, and educational credentials ready
- Set Up Payment Method: Ensure you have a valid credit/debit card or electronic payment method for the $1 fee
- Monitor Official Sources: Bookmark dvprogram.state.gov and check regularly for registration opening announcement
- Review Education Requirements: Confirm you meet either the high school diploma requirement or two years of qualifying work experience
- Prepare Family Information: Collect details for spouse and all unmarried children under 21 (must be included in entry)
Important Dates and Timeline
Here's what we know about the DV-2027 timeline based on official announcements and historical patterns.
- September 16, 2025: New $1 registration fee rule published in Federal Register
- October 16, 2025: $1 electronic registration fee officially takes effect
- Early October 2025 (Expected): Registration was anticipated to open but has been delayed
- Late 2025 (Projected): Registration period likely to open once payment system implementation is complete
- 60-Day Window: Registration typically remains open for approximately 60 days once it begins
- May 2026 (Estimated): DV-2027 lottery results expected to be available for winner checking
Why Is the DV-2027 Lottery Delayed?
The State Department has not provided an official reason for the delay, but immigration experts point to several likely factors.
The most probable cause is the technical implementation of the new worldwide electronic payment system for the $1 registration fee. Integrating a secure payment processing system capable of handling millions of transactions from nearly every country worldwide represents a significant technical undertaking for the State Department's systems.
Additionally, a brief U.S. government shutdown in early October 2025 may have further delayed the rollout timeline. The Department has confirmed there will be "changes to the DV entry process" this year beyond just the registration fee, which could require additional development time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Will DV-2027 Registration Open?
The U.S. Department of State has not announced specific dates yet. According to the November 2025 Visa Bulletin, registration dates "will be widely publicized in the coming months." Check the official website at dvprogram.state.gov regularly for updates.
How Do I Pay the $1 Registration Fee?
The fee will be collected electronically at the time you submit your DV-2027 entry through the official dvprogram.state.gov website. You'll need a valid credit card, debit card, or other electronic payment method accepted by the State Department's system.
Can I Still Apply If I Applied for DV-2026?
Yes, absolutely. Each year's diversity visa lottery is completely separate. Even if you applied for or won DV-2026, you must submit a new entry and pay the $1 fee again for DV-2027 when registration opens.
What Countries Are Eligible for DV-2027?
Most countries worldwide are eligible, with exceptions for countries that sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the past five years. Cuba was excluded from DV-2026. The official DV-2027 eligible countries list will be published when registration opens.
Do I Need a Passport Photo Before Registration Opens?
Yes, you should prepare compliant passport photos now. Your diversity visa photo must meet specific U.S. government requirements for dimensions, background color, and photo quality. Having your photo ready ensures you can apply immediately when registration opens.
What You Need to Know About the Green Card Lottery Changes
The DV-2027 Diversity Visa Lottery represents a historic shift with the introduction of the first-ever registration fee in the program's history. While the delay has caused uncertainty, the State Department has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the program as required by law.
If you're planning to enter the green card lottery, prepare now by gathering required documents and ensuring your passport photo meets all official specifications. The 60-day registration window typically closes quickly once opened, so having everything ready in advance is essential. Additionally, verify your eligibility requirements and bookmark the official dvprogram.state.gov website to receive immediate notification when DV-2027 registration dates are announced.