Historic Changes to Green Card Lottery Registration
The U.S. Department of State has announced unprecedented changes to the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program for 2027, introducing the first-ever registration fee and delaying the traditional October opening date. As of October 27, 2025, registration for the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery has not yet opened, breaking decades of early-October tradition.
The State Department published a final rule on September 16, 2025, establishing a mandatory $1 electronic registration fee that took effect October 16, 2025. This marks the first time in the program's 30-year history that applicants must pay to enter the lottery for one of 55,000 available immigrant visas.
Key Changes to the Diversity Visa Lottery Program
The 2027 Diversity Visa Lottery introduces several significant updates that applicants need to understand before registration opens:
- New $1 Registration Fee: All DV-2027 applicants must pay a non-refundable $1 electronic fee when submitting their entry, generating approximately $25 million annually to cover operational costs
- Registration Delay: DV-2027 registration has been postponed past the traditional early October opening, with the State Department promising dates will be "widely publicized in the coming months"
- Enhanced Security Reviews: The fee supports system upgrades, improved data collection, and strengthened security protocols to prevent fraud
- No Passport Requirement Yet: A proposed rule requiring passports for all applicants will not take effect this year due to finalization delays
- Fee is Separate from Application: The $1 registration fee is in addition to the existing $330 Diversity Visa application fee paid only by lottery winners
Immigration attorneys speculate the delay may be related to implementing the new payment system infrastructure required to process millions of $1 transactions securely. The State Department has declined to provide specific reasons for the postponement.
Who Is Affected by These Green Card Lottery Changes
These updates impact millions of prospective immigrants worldwide seeking permanent residency in the United States through the Diversity Visa program.
For First-Time Applicants
If you're applying for the first time, you'll need to prepare both your application documents and a valid payment method for the $1 fee. The fee must be paid at the time of submission, and payment cannot be transferred to future lottery years if you're not selected.
For Previous Lottery Participants
Past participation in the DV Lottery does not guarantee future eligibility, and you must meet all requirements each year. Previous applicants will notice the new payment requirement and should ensure their passport photo meets current specifications before registration opens.
For DV-2026 Winners Still Processing
If you were selected in the DV-2026 lottery (results released May 3, 2025), these changes do not affect your application. Continue following the instructions from the Kentucky Consular Center, and remember your fiscal year 2026 deadline is September 30, 2026.
How to Apply for DV-2027 Green Card Lottery - Step by Step
Follow these steps to successfully submit your Diversity Visa Lottery entry when registration opens:
- Monitor Official Announcements: Check travel.state.gov regularly for the official DV-2027 registration opening date (State Department will announce widely in advance)
- Verify Your Eligibility: Confirm you were born in an eligible country and meet education or work experience requirements (high school diploma or 2 years of work experience in qualifying occupation)
- Prepare Required Documents: Gather passport information for yourself and all family members, and obtain a compliant passport-style photograph meeting strict specifications
- Complete the Electronic Form: Submit your entry only through the official website dvprogram.state.gov - avoid scam sites charging excessive fees
- Pay the $1 Registration Fee: Process the non-refundable $1 electronic payment using an accepted payment method during the submission process
- Save Your Confirmation Number: Print or screenshot your confirmation number immediately - this is the only way to check your results
- Check Results in May 2027: Return to dvprogram.state.gov in May 2027 to check if you were selected (exact date will be announced)
Important Dates and Timeline for DV-2027
Mark these critical dates on your calendar to avoid missing the Green Card Lottery opportunity:
- September 16, 2025: Final rule establishing $1 registration fee published in Federal Register
- October 16, 2025: New $1 electronic registration fee officially takes effect
- Late 2025 (TBA): DV-2027 registration period opens (typically 30-60 day window, dates to be announced by State Department)
- May 2027 (Expected): DV-2027 lottery results become available online at dvprogram.state.gov
- October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027: Fiscal year 2027 when selected applicants can apply for immigrant visas
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Card Lottery Updates
Why Is There Now a $1 Fee for the Diversity Visa Lottery?
The U.S. State Department introduced the fee to cover operational costs including system maintenance, security reviews, and infrastructure upgrades. With approximately 25 million registrants annually, the fee generates about $25 million in revenue. Previously, only the 55,000 lottery winners paid fees, but now all applicants contribute to program costs regardless of selection outcome.
When Will DV-2027 Registration Actually Open?
The State Department has not announced specific dates as of October 27, 2025. Officials state registration dates will be "widely publicized in the coming months" on their official website. Historically, registration opens in early October, but the 2027 lottery has been delayed, possibly due to implementing the new payment system infrastructure.
Is the $1 Fee Refundable If I'm Not Selected?
No, the $1 electronic registration fee is non-refundable regardless of lottery results. The fee cannot be transferred to future lottery years or applied toward the $330 Diversity Visa application fee paid only by selected winners. Consider the $1 fee as the cost of entry to participate in the lottery.
Do I Need a Passport to Apply for DV-2027?
Not yet. While the Trump administration proposed requiring passports for all DV Lottery applicants, this rule has not been finalized and will not apply to DV-2027 registration. However, you will need passport information for yourself and qualifying family members, and ensure your passport photo meets strict specifications when submitting your entry.
How Many People Win the Green Card Lottery Each Year?
The Diversity Visa program makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available annually. However, more winners are initially selected than available visas because not all selected applicants will qualify or complete the process. Approximately 25 million people from around the world apply each year, making the selection rate roughly 0.2% to 0.3%.
What You Need to Know About Applying
The DV-2027 Green Card Lottery represents a significant shift in how the United States administers its Diversity Visa program. The new $1 fee and delayed registration timeline require applicants to stay vigilant and monitor official State Department announcements closely.
When registration opens, ensure your passport photo meets all technical specifications to avoid disqualification. VisaPics specializes in compliant passport and visa photos for over 172 countries with 952 document types, helping thousands of applicants create photos that meet strict government requirements. Start preparing your application documents now so you're ready the moment registration opens.