Green Card Lottery 2027 Registration Faces Historic Delay
The U.S. Department of State confirmed on October 9, 2025, that registration for the Diversity Visa (DV) 2027 lottery has been delayed past its traditional early October opening date. This marks an unprecedented delay in the program's 30-year history, leaving millions of hopeful applicants worldwide waiting for an official start date. The State Department has not disclosed specific reasons for the delay but confirmed that registration dates will be "widely publicized in the coming months."
Immigration experts believe the delay is linked to implementing the new $1 electronic registration fee, which officially took effect on October 16, 2025. The program typically opens for registration in early October and offers 55,000 immigrant visas annually through a random lottery system.
New $1 Registration Fee Now Required for All Applicants
For the first time in the Diversity Visa Lottery's history, applicants must pay a $1 electronic registration fee to enter. This represents a significant policy shift for a program that has always been free to enter.
- Effective Date: October 16, 2025 - Fee applies to DV-2027 and all future lotteries
- Federal Register Publication: September 16, 2025 - Final rule published and took effect same day
- Payment Method: Electronic payment only through official government portal at dvprogram.state.gov
- Non-Refundable: Fee cannot be refunded regardless of lottery outcome or application errors
- Estimated Revenue: $25 million annually based on typical application volume
- Purpose: Discourages speculative registrations and allocates system costs to registrants
The Department of State stated the fee will "more fairly allocate the costs of managing the random selection process to those who register" and help reduce fraudulent or duplicate entries. However, the total $330 visa application fee for lottery winners remains unchanged for now, though officials indicated they may review this amount in future updates.
Who Is Affected by These Green Card Lottery Changes
The DV-2027 delay and new fee structure impact prospective immigrants from over 180 countries worldwide. Understanding how these changes affect different applicant groups is crucial for proper preparation.
For First-Time DV Lottery Applicants
If you're applying for the first time, be prepared to pay the $1 registration fee using a valid credit or debit card. Ensure you have proper passport photos that meet U.S. visa photo requirements before the registration period opens. Keep monitoring the official State Department website at travel.state.gov for the announcement of registration dates.
For Previous DV Lottery Participants
Even if you've entered the lottery in previous years at no cost, you must now pay the $1 fee for each new registration. Previous entries do not carry over, and you cannot reuse old confirmation numbers. Each year requires a completely new application with the associated fee.
For Immigration Consultants and Attorneys
Legal professionals assisting clients with DV Lottery applications must account for the new fee in their service pricing. Additionally, the delayed timeline may affect client planning and documentation preparation schedules, particularly for those needing to obtain or renew passports and prepare compliant passport photos.
How to Prepare for DV-2027 Registration - Step by Step
Follow these essential steps to ensure you're ready when registration opens:
- Check Your Eligibility: Verify your country of birth is eligible for DV-2027 (countries with high immigration rates to the U.S. are typically excluded)
- Gather Required Documents: Obtain a valid passport and ensure you have birth certificates for yourself and all family members
- Prepare Compliant Photos: Get passport photos that meet strict U.S. visa photo specifications - photos must be taken within 6 months, show full face, and meet specific size requirements
- Set Up Payment Method: Ensure you have a valid credit or debit card that can process international payments for the $1 registration fee
- Monitor Official Channels: Check travel.state.gov and the Federal Register regularly for the official announcement of registration dates
- Register Only Through Official Portal: Use only dvprogram.state.gov to avoid scams - never pay fees to third-party websites claiming to increase your chances
- Save Your Confirmation Number: After registration, save your confirmation number to check your lottery status in May 2026
Important Dates and Timeline for DV-2027
Keep these critical dates in mind for the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery cycle:
- September 16, 2025: New $1 registration fee rule published in Federal Register and took effect
- October 9, 2025: State Department confirmed DV-2027 registration delay
- October 16, 2025: $1 electronic registration fee officially takes effect
- Late October/November 2025 (Expected): Registration period likely to open - watch for official announcement
- 60-Day Window (Estimated): Typical registration period lasts approximately two months once opened
- May 2026 (Estimated): Lottery results typically announced - winners can check status online
- October 2026: Fiscal year 2027 begins - first diversity visas become available to selected winners
- September 30, 2027: Deadline for selected winners to obtain their diversity visas before entries expire
Frequently Asked Questions About the Green Card Lottery
Why Was the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration Delayed?
The U.S. Department of State has not provided a specific reason for the delay beyond stating that registration dates will be announced "in the coming months." Immigration experts speculate the delay is related to implementing the new $1 electronic registration fee system, which required technical infrastructure updates to the official registration portal. This is the first fee ever charged for lottery entry, necessitating payment processing capabilities that didn't previously exist in the system.
Is the $1 Registration Fee Refundable If I Don't Win?
No, the $1 electronic registration fee is non-refundable under all circumstances. Whether you win the lottery, lose the lottery, or make errors in your application, you cannot receive a refund of this fee. The fee is designed to cover the administrative costs of processing your entry and running the random selection system. Additionally, if you submit multiple entries (which is not allowed and will result in disqualification), you will not receive refunds for duplicate payments.
Do I Need a Passport to Enter the DV-2027 Lottery?
Currently, a passport is not required at the time of registration for DV-2027. However, the Trump administration proposed a rule in August 2025 that would require all applicants to have a valid passport number when entering the lottery. This proposed rule will not take effect for DV-2027 due to the required review timeline, but may be implemented in future lottery cycles. You will definitely need a valid passport if you win the lottery and proceed to the visa application stage.
Can I Use the Same Photo from My Previous DV Lottery Entry?
No, you must submit a recent photograph taken within the last six months that meets current U.S. visa photo requirements. Using old photos from previous applications may result in disqualification. Your passport photo must show your current appearance with no significant changes to hairstyle, facial hair, or physical features. The photo must be in color, taken against a white or off-white background, and meet specific dimension requirements of 2x2 inches (51x51mm) with your head measuring between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25-35mm) from bottom of chin to top of head.
How Many People Can Win the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery?
The Diversity Visa Program makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available each year. However, the State Department typically selects more than 55,000 winners initially to account for applicants who don't complete the process or fail to meet eligibility requirements. For example, around 100,000-125,000 people are usually notified that they've been selected, but only the first 55,000 who successfully complete their visa applications within the fiscal year will receive visas.
What You Need to Know About the Green Card Lottery Delay
The unprecedented delay in opening DV-2027 registration represents a significant departure from the program's traditional October timeline. While frustrating for millions of prospective applicants worldwide, this delay underscores the importance of monitoring official State Department channels rather than relying on historical patterns or third-party websites. The new $1 fee, though modest, marks a fundamental shift in how the program operates and may help reduce fraudulent entries.
Prospective applicants should use this extra time to ensure their passport photos meet strict U.S. requirements and gather all necessary documentation. VisaPics can help you create compliant passport photos for your DV-2027 application from the comfort of your home, ensuring your photos meet all official specifications before the registration period opens. Check the official State Department website at travel.state.gov regularly for the announcement of registration dates, and never pay fees to third-party services claiming to improve your lottery chances.