DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration Unexpectedly Delayed
The U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery DV-2027 registration has been delayed past its traditional early October 2025 opening date, breaking with decades of consistent scheduling. The U.S. Department of State confirmed on October 9, 2025, that registration will not open as expected, though officials have assured applicants that the program is not cancelled. The State Department stated that "registration dates will be widely publicized in the coming months" but has not provided specific timeline details.
This unprecedented delay coincides with the implementation of a historic new $1 registration fee, marking the first time in program history that applicants must pay to enter the green card lottery. Immigration experts estimate the registration period will likely open in late October or November 2025, following the pattern of previous years which ran from October 2 to November 7.
Historic $1 Registration Fee Now Required for All Applicants
For the first time in Diversity Visa Lottery history, all applicants must pay a registration fee. The change represents a significant shift in how the program is funded.
- Effective Date: October 16, 2025 - the new $1 electronic registration fee takes effect for DV-2027 cycle
- Non-Refundable: The $1 fee is non-refundable under all circumstances, even if your entry is not selected or contains errors
- Revenue Generation: Expected to generate approximately $25 million annually from an estimated 25 million registrants
- Payment Method: Fee will be collected through an authorized U.S. Government payment portal at the time of application submission
- Additional Costs: This fee is separate from the existing $330 Diversity Visa Application fee required if selected
The final rule establishing the $1 registration fee was published in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025. According to the State Department, this fee helps cover administrative costs including system upgrades, enhanced data collection, security reviews, and fraud prevention by discouraging fake or duplicate entries.
Why the Delay? State Department Remains Mostly Silent
The State Department has declined to provide specific reasons for the registration delay. However, immigration attorneys and industry experts have identified several likely factors.
For Technical Implementation
The most probable reason is the time needed to integrate the new payment system into the existing DV lottery registration infrastructure. Implementing secure payment processing for an estimated 25 million applicants requires significant technical development and testing to ensure the system can handle the massive volume of simultaneous submissions.
For Government Operations
The 2025 federal government shutdown and related staffing shortages may have slowed systems development and data integration. Immigration experts note that the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs has faced resource constraints that could impact the rollout timeline for major system changes.
For Regulatory Compliance
Some immigration lawyers speculate that additional regulatory review or final approval processes may be delaying the launch. The State Department spokesperson stated that "an announcement for the DV 2027 program is forthcoming" but provided no additional timeline details.
How to Prepare for DV-2027 Registration When It Opens
While waiting for the official announcement, prospective applicants can take important preparatory steps to ensure a smooth application process.
- Monitor Official Sources: Bookmark dvprogram.state.gov and check daily for registration date announcements - this is the only official source
- Prepare Required Documents: Gather recent passport-style photos that meet strict U.S. diversity visa photo requirements (2x2 inches, white background, taken within 6 months)
- Verify Eligibility: Confirm your country of birth qualifies and that you meet education or work experience requirements (high school diploma or 2 years qualifying work experience)
- Secure Payment Method: Ensure you have a valid credit/debit card or other accepted payment method ready for the $1 registration fee
- Collect Family Information: Prepare passport details, birth dates, and photos for your spouse and all children under 21, even if they won't immigrate with you
- Avoid Scam Services: Never pay third-party services for lottery registration - the official government fee is only $1, and registration is free to complete yourself
Important Dates and Timeline for DV-2027
While registration dates remain unannounced, here's the expected timeline based on previous years and official statements.
- October 16, 2025: New $1 registration fee officially takes effect per Federal Register final rule
- Late October/Early November 2025 (Expected): DV-2027 registration period opens for approximately 30 days (similar to October 2 - November 7, 2024 for DV-2026)
- May 2026 (Expected): Lottery results announced - approximately 129,000 selectees registered for DV-2026 in the previous cycle
- October 2026: First diversity visas become available to DV-2027 lottery winners to schedule consular interviews
- September 30, 2027: Final deadline for all DV-2027 winners to complete the adjustment of status process with USCIS
Frequently Asked Questions About the Green Card Lottery Changes
Why Is There a $1 Fee for the Green Card Lottery Now?
The State Department implemented the $1 registration fee to spread program costs more evenly across all participants rather than only the 55,000 lottery winners. Previously, only selected applicants paid the $330 visa application fee. The new fee generates approximately $25 million annually to cover system upgrades, fraud prevention, enhanced security reviews, and administrative expenses for processing an estimated 25 million annual entries.
Can I Get My $1 Registration Fee Refunded If Not Selected?
No, the $1 registration fee is completely non-refundable under all circumstances. You will not receive a refund if your entry is not selected in the lottery, if you make an error on your application, if you're selected but don't proceed with the visa process, or for any other reason. This policy is clearly stated in the September 16, 2025 Federal Register final rule.
When Will DV-2027 Registration Actually Open?
The State Department has not announced specific dates but stated registration will be "widely publicized in the coming months." Based on previous years' patterns (DV-2026 opened October 2, 2024), immigration experts expect late October or early November 2025. The November 2025 Visa Bulletin confirmed dates will be announced soon, so prospective applicants should monitor dvprogram.state.gov daily for official updates.
Is the Diversity Visa Lottery Program Being Cancelled?
No, the U.S. Department of State has explicitly confirmed the DV lottery program is not cancelled, only postponed. The DV-2027 lottery will offer up to 55,000 immigrant visas to qualifying applicants as in previous years. The delay is related to implementing the new $1 registration fee system and other entry process changes, not program elimination.
Do I Need a Passport to Apply for DV-2027?
Currently, no passport is required for DV-2027 lottery registration. While the Trump administration proposed a rule to mandate passports for all DV lottery applicants, this requirement will not be implemented for the 2027 cycle due to the time required for rule finalization. However, if selected, you will need a valid passport for your visa interview and immigration to the United States.
What You Need to Know About Diversity Visa Photo Requirements
One of the most common reasons for DV lottery application rejection is incorrect passport photos. The U.S. State Department has strict technical requirements that differ from regular passport photos. Your photo must be taken within the last 6 months, measure exactly 2x2 inches (51x51mm), show a white or off-white background, and display your full face with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
Additionally, proper head positioning is critical - your head height must be between 50-69% of the total photo height, and your eyes should be positioned between 56-69% from the bottom of the photo. Many applicants use professional visa photo services like VisaPics to ensure their photos meet all technical specifications and avoid rejection. Make sure your passport photo meets the diversity visa requirements before the registration period opens to avoid last-minute problems when millions of applicants rush to submit their entries.