Green Card Lottery 2027 Registration Unexpectedly Delayed
The U.S. Department of State has delayed the opening of the DV-2027 Diversity Visa Lottery past its traditional early October start date, breaking a pattern established over many years. As of late October 2025, the State Department has confirmed that registration dates "will be widely publicized in the coming months" but has not provided a specific timeline. This unprecedented delay coincides with the implementation of the program's first-ever registration fee.
The DV-2027 lottery was expected to open for entries in early October 2025 and run through early November 2025, following the standard 30-40 day registration window. However, immigration experts believe the delay is related to implementing new payment processing infrastructure for the recently announced $1 electronic registration fee.
Historic Change: New $1 Registration Fee Now Required
For the first time in the program's history, all applicants must now pay a $1 electronic registration fee to enter the Diversity Visa Lottery. This marks a significant departure from the previously free entry system.
- Effective Date: The $1 fee officially took effect on October 16, 2025, following a final rule published in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025
- Payment Method: The fee must be paid electronically at the time of DV application submission through the official State Department portal
- Separate from Visa Fees: This $1 registration fee is in addition to the existing $330 Diversity Visa application fee that only applies if an applicant is selected
- Non-refundable: The registration fee will not be refunded regardless of whether an applicant is selected in the lottery
Immigration attorneys suggest that potential applicants prepare payment methods in advance, as the new system will require valid electronic payment at the time of entry submission. The State Department has not yet clarified which payment methods will be accepted on the official registration portal.
Who Is Affected by These Green Card Lottery Changes
The registration delay and new fee structure impact millions of prospective immigrants worldwide. Based on DV-2026 statistics, over 20 million qualified entries are typically submitted during each lottery period.
For First-Time DV Lottery Applicants
If you're planning to enter the Green Card Lottery for the first time, you'll need to prepare both compliant documentation and electronic payment. While the $1 fee is minimal, ensure you have access to valid payment methods accepted by U.S. government portals. Additionally, familiarize yourself with strict photo requirements—non-compliant photos are the leading cause of disqualification.
For Previous Lottery Participants
Even if you've entered the DV Lottery in previous years, the new fee requirement means you'll need to update your approach. The registration process will include an additional payment step that wasn't required in DV-2026 or earlier years. Budget accordingly and be prepared for potential changes to the online submission portal.
For Immigration Service Providers and Attorneys
Legal professionals and immigration consultants should inform clients about the new fee structure immediately. The $1 charge applies per entry, so clients must factor this into their budgets. Additionally, ensure clients understand that this is the official fee—any service charging significantly more may be a scam.
How to Prepare for DV-2027 Registration - Step by Step
While registration hasn't opened yet, you can take these essential steps now to ensure you're ready when the State Department announces the official dates:
- Gather Required Documents: Collect your passport, birth certificate, education certificates (high school diploma or equivalent), and recent passport-style photos that meet strict U.S. visa photo specifications
- Review Photo Requirements: Ensure your passport photo meets all technical requirements including size (600x600 pixels minimum), background (plain white or off-white), and recent date (taken within 6 months). Non-compliant photos are the #1 reason for disqualification
- Prepare Payment Method: Set up electronic payment capability through methods typically accepted by U.S. government portals, such as credit cards or debit cards with international transaction capability
- Check Eligibility Requirements: Verify that your country of birth qualifies for the DV-2027 program and that you meet education or work experience requirements (high school diploma or 2 years of qualifying work experience in the past 5 years)
- Monitor Official Channels: Bookmark the official State Department website at dvprogram.state.gov and travel.state.gov, and check regularly for registration date announcements
Important Dates and Timeline for DV-2027
While the exact registration period remains unannounced, here's what we know about the DV-2027 timeline and recent program history:
- October 2, 2024 - November 7, 2024: DV-2026 registration period (37 days) - typical window for reference
- September 16, 2025: Final rule establishing $1 registration fee published in Federal Register
- October 16, 2025: New $1 electronic registration fee officially took effect
- Late October 2025: Expected DV-2027 registration opening delayed - dates to be announced
- November 2025 (projected): Registration period likely to open in late October or November based on State Department statements
- May 2026 (projected): DV-2027 results typically announced approximately 6-7 months after registration closes
Critical Scam Warnings for Green Card Lottery Applicants
The registration delay has created an opportunity for fraudsters to exploit anxious applicants. The U.S. State Department has issued clear warnings about common diversity visa scams.
- No Email Notifications: The U.S. government will never email, text, call, WhatsApp, or send direct messages to notify you of selection - you must check your status yourself using your confirmation number
- Official Website Only: Applications are accepted only through the official website at state.gov - any other website charging fees or promising guaranteed selection is fraudulent
- Free Entry Process: Beyond the new $1 registration fee, there are no other charges to submit a DV entry - fraudulent websites may charge $50-$100 or more
- No Influence on Selection: The lottery uses random computer selection - no person, service, or attorney can influence your chances or guarantee selection
- Verify All Communications: If you receive any "winning letter" emails purportedly from the U.S. Department of State, it's a scam - winners must check results manually on the official portal
What Happened with DV-2026: Recent Program Updates
Understanding recent DV-2026 outcomes provides context for what DV-2027 applicants can expect. The DV-2026 program saw both successes and challenges that inform the current situation.
Results for the DV-2026 Green Card Lottery became available on May 3, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Approximately 129,516 prospective applicants—including selectees, spouses, and children—were chosen from among 20,822,624 qualified entries submitted during the October-November 2024 registration period.
However, the DV-2026 program also faced significant challenges. A technical error in the entry selection system mistakenly notified some Cuban nationals of their selection, despite Cuban natives being ineligible to participate. The Department of State subsequently reversed these selections and issued corrections. Additionally, entrants from Great Britain (United Kingdom), including its dependent territories, faced similar eligibility clarifications.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Green Card Lottery
When Will DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Registration Open?
The U.S. State Department has not yet announced specific registration dates for DV-2027 as of late October 2025. The Department has stated that dates "will be widely publicized in the coming months" through official channels including travel.state.gov and the Federal Register. Immigration experts expect registration to open in late October or November 2025, though the unprecedented delay makes exact timing uncertain.
How Much Does It Cost to Enter the Green Card Lottery Now?
Beginning with the DV-2027 program, there is a mandatory $1 electronic registration fee that must be paid at the time of entry submission. This is in addition to the $330 Diversity Visa application fee that only applies if you are selected. The $1 registration fee took effect on October 16, 2025, and is non-refundable regardless of whether you are selected in the lottery.
What Photo Requirements Must I Meet for the Diversity Visa Lottery?
Your passport photo must meet strict technical specifications: minimum 600x600 pixels (up to 1200x1200 pixels), plain white or off-white background, taken within the last 6 months, and showing full face with neutral expression. Non-compliant photos are the leading cause of disqualification from the DV Lottery. Many applicants use professional visa photo services like VisaPics to ensure their photos meet all U.S. government specifications before submission.
Can I Apply for the Green Card Lottery Multiple Times?
No, you may only submit one entry per person per lottery period. Submitting multiple entries will result in disqualification of all your entries. However, if you are selected, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 will also be eligible for diversity visas. Each spouse in a married couple may each submit one entry, and if either is selected, the other qualifies as a derivative.
What Countries Are Eligible for the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery?
Eligibility is based on your country of birth, not citizenship. Countries whose natives sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the previous five years are excluded. For DV-2026, excluded countries included Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland), and Vietnam. The DV-2027 excluded country list will be announced when registration opens.
What You Need to Know About DV-2027 Green Card Lottery
The DV-2027 Diversity Visa Lottery faces unprecedented changes with a delayed registration period and the introduction of the program's first-ever $1 registration fee. While the State Department has not provided specific dates, prospective applicants should monitor official channels closely and prepare required documentation in advance. The delay appears connected to implementing new payment processing infrastructure, and registration is expected to open in late October or November 2025.
To maximize your chances of success, ensure your passport photo meets all U.S. government specifications before the registration period opens—photo non-compliance remains the top cause of disqualification. Consider using professional visa photo services that guarantee compliance with government requirements. Additionally, stay vigilant against scams by only using the official State Department website at dvprogram.state.gov, and remember that no service can guarantee selection in this random lottery. When registration dates are announced, act quickly but carefully to submit your compliant application with the required $1 fee during the brief registration window.