Green Card Lottery 2027 Registration Officially Delayed
The U.S. State Department announced on November 5, 2025, that the Diversity Visa (DV-2027) Green Card lottery registration has been officially delayed beyond its traditional early October opening. The Department confirmed it is implementing "certain changes" to the entry process and will announce the new start date "as soon as practicable." This marks the first time in recent program history that the annual lottery has missed its customary launch window.
The delay affects an estimated 25 million applicants worldwide who compete annually for 55,000 diversity visas. Immigration experts suggest the postponement is linked to implementing a new electronic payment system and potential platform upgrades to combat fraud.
Historic $1 Registration Fee Takes Effect
For the first time in program history, applicants must now pay a $1 electronic registration fee when submitting their DV lottery entry. This change became effective September 16, 2025, with implementation beginning October 16, 2025.
- Fee Amount: $1 non-refundable electronic registration fee per entry
- Payment Required: At the time of submission through the official dvprogram.state.gov portal
- Non-Transferable: Fees cannot be refunded or transferred between lottery years
- Revenue Impact: Expected to generate approximately $25 million annually for program operations
- Visa Fee Unchanged: The existing $330 visa application fee for selected winners remains the same
- Fraud Prevention: Fee designed to deter multiple fraudulent entries and offset administrative costs
According to the Federal Register, this change "more fairly places the burden of the lottery registration on individuals seeking the benefit of gaining access to the DV application process" rather than charging only the small percentage of successful registrants for costs associated with administering the program for all 25 million applicants.
Who Is Affected by the DV-2027 Delay
The registration delay impacts millions of prospective immigrants worldwide. However, different groups face unique considerations.
For First-Time Applicants
New applicants should monitor the official State Department website at travel.state.gov for registration dates. The $1 fee requirement means you'll need a valid payment method before applying. Prepare your passport photo requirements in advance—photos must meet strict ICAO standards including specific dimensions, white background, and proper head positioning to avoid disqualification.
For Previous Lottery Participants
If you applied for DV-2025 or DV-2026 but weren't selected, you must submit a completely new application for DV-2027 and pay the $1 fee. Previous entries do not carry over, and there is no "carryover" benefit for repeat applicants.
For Citizens of Ineligible Countries
Certain countries with high immigration rates to the U.S. are excluded from the program. For DV-2026, Cuba became ineligible for the first time after meeting the high-admission country threshold. Check the official instructions when registration opens to confirm your country's eligibility status for DV-2027.
How to Prepare for DV-2027 Registration
While the exact registration date remains unannounced, you can prepare now to avoid delays when the window opens.
- Obtain a Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is valid and unexpired; proposed rules may require passport uploads during registration
- Prepare Compliant Photos: Get professional passport photos that meet strict diversity visa requirements (2x2 inches, white background, taken within 6 months)
- Verify Country Eligibility: Confirm your country of birth qualifies for DV-2027 on the official State Department website
- Set Up Payment Method: Have a valid credit/debit card or electronic payment method ready for the $1 registration fee
- Gather Spouse/Children Info: Collect passport details, photos, and birth information for all eligible family members
- Monitor Official Sources: Check travel.state.gov and dvprogram.state.gov weekly for registration announcements
- Avoid Scam Services: The State Department warns of fraudulent sites falsely claiming DV-2027 registration is open
Important Dates and Timeline for DV-2027
Here's what applicants need to know about the DV-2027 timeline based on official State Department announcements.
- September 16, 2025: $1 registration fee rule became effective
- October 16, 2025: $1 fee requirement implementation began
- November 5, 2025: State Department officially announced DV-2027 registration delay
- Registration Period: To be announced "as soon as practicable" (typically 30-60 days)
- Results Announcement: Expected May 2027 (typically early May)
- Visa Application Window: October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 (for selected winners)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the $1 Fee Refundable If I'm Not Selected?
No, the $1 registration fee is non-refundable regardless of lottery results. The fee covers administrative costs of processing millions of entries and cannot be transferred to future lottery years. Additionally, if you're selected but don't proceed with your visa application, you won't receive a refund of either the $1 registration fee or the $330 visa application fee.
Can I Still Apply for Free Anywhere?
No, there is no way to apply for free. The only official registration portal is dvprogram.state.gov, which requires the $1 fee starting with DV-2027. Be extremely cautious of websites or services claiming to offer free registration—these are scams. The State Department explicitly warns that fraudulent sites are falsely advertising that DV-2027 registration is currently open.
Why Was the DV-2027 Lottery Delayed?
The State Department cites "certain changes" to the entry process without specifying details. Immigration experts believe the delay relates to implementing the new $1 electronic payment system and potential technical upgrades to the registration platform. Additionally, proposed regulations requiring passport uploads during registration may be contributing to the postponement as the Department updates its systems.
Will Photo Requirements Change for DV-2027?
Current photo specifications remain in effect: 2x2 inches (51x51mm), white or off-white background, taken within the last 6 months, and meeting strict ICAO biometric standards. However, ensure your passport photo complies with all diversity visa requirements, as incorrect photos are the leading cause of disqualification. Professional services like VisaPics can help ensure your photos meet all technical specifications before submission.
How Many People Win the Green Card Lottery Each Year?
The State Department selects approximately 130,000 applicants annually to account for no-shows and disqualifications, but only 55,000 diversity visas are actually issued per fiscal year. For DV-2026, exactly 129,516 prospective applicants were selected from 20,822,624 qualified entries—a selection rate of approximately 0.62%.
What You Need to Know Before Registration Opens
The DV-2027 Green Card lottery represents a significant transition with the new $1 fee requirement and delayed registration timeline. Prospective applicants should prepare documentation now rather than waiting for the registration announcement, as the entry window typically lasts only 30-60 days once opened.
Most importantly, ensure your passport photo meets all official requirements before the registration period begins—photo rejections account for thousands of disqualifications annually. Use professional visa photo services to guarantee compliance with strict biometric standards, and monitor the official State Department website for the registration announcement rather than relying on third-party sites or services that may charge excessive fees.