Green Card Lottery 2027: Historic $1 Fee Announced as DV-2027 Registration Delayed Until December 2025

Breaking: DV-2027 Registration Delayed With New Entry Fee

The U.S. Department of State announced on November 5, 2025, that DV-2027 Green Card Lottery registration has been delayed until December 2025 or January 2026 while implementing a historic $1 electronic entry fee—the first time in the program's 30-year history that applicants will be charged to enter. The delay affects millions of hopeful immigrants worldwide who were expecting the registration window to open in early October 2025 as scheduled.

The State Department stated the delay is necessary to modernize the registration portal with enhanced identity verification, passport validation, and stronger fraud prevention systems. Meanwhile, DV-2026 lottery winners received December 2025 cutoff numbers on November 16, 2025, with significant increases expected for January 2026.

Key Changes for DV-2027 Green Card Lottery

The State Department has implemented several critical changes affecting DV-2027 applicants:

• $1 Registration Fee: Mandatory non-refundable payment required at time of entry—first fee in program history since 1994
• Delayed Registration: Opening postponed from October 2025 to December 2025 or January 2026, exact date still unannounced
• Enhanced Verification: New passport validation system requires valid passport information during registration, not just at visa interview stage
• Shortened Window: Registration period may be reduced to 2-3 weeks instead of the typical 30-day window due to late start
• Fraud Prevention: Advanced identity verification and duplicate entry detection systems to combat broker exploitation
• Electronic Payment Only: Fee must be paid electronically through official dvprogram.state.gov portal—no cash or alternative payments accepted

The rule officially took effect on October 16, 2025, applying to DV-2027 and all future lottery cycles. The visa application period for selected winners remains unchanged, running from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027, giving successful applicants a full 12-month window to complete their immigrant visa process.

Who Is Affected By These Changes

These updates impact multiple groups of diversity visa applicants differently depending on their lottery year and current status.

For DV-2027 Prospective Applicants

If you plan to enter the DV-2027 lottery, you must wait for the State Department to announce the official registration opening date—expected between December 2025 and January 2026. You will need a valid passport, digital passport-style photo meeting strict specifications, and $1 per entry to complete registration. Monitor the official website at dvprogram.state.gov for the announcement, as the registration window may be shortened to just 2-3 weeks.

For DV-2026 Selected Winners

If you were selected in the DV-2026 lottery, check your case number against the December 2025 cutoff numbers released on November 16, 2025. Significant increases are coming in January 2026, particularly for Africa (jumping from 17,500 to 35,000) and Asia (rising from 10,000 to 15,000). You have until September 30, 2026, to complete your visa interview and receive your immigrant visa—no extensions will be granted after this date.

For Multiple Family Entries

Families entering multiple household members will need to budget accordingly, as the $1 fee applies per entry. A family of four entering separately will pay $4 total in registration fees, though the fee remains non-refundable regardless of selection outcome. Each family member still requires their own valid passport information for the new verification system.

How to Register for DV-2027 - Step by Step

Follow these exact steps when registration opens to ensure your entry is accepted:

1. Obtain Valid Passport: Secure a passport from your country of birth or eligibility—passport information now required at registration, not just interview stage
2. Prepare Digital Photo: Take or obtain a passport-style photo meeting strict U.S. visa photo requirements (2x2 inches, white background, recent within 6 months)—using a service like VisaPics ensures compliance with all specifications
3. Gather Required Information: Compile full legal name, birth date, country of birth, passport details, education documents (high school or higher), and spouse/children information if applicable
4. Submit Entry at dvprogram.state.gov: Complete the official Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form (E-DV) only through the official State Department website during the registration window
5. Pay $1 Registration Fee: Complete electronic payment through the official portal using credit/debit card—fee is non-refundable and required to finalize submission
6. Save Confirmation Number: Print or screenshot your unique confirmation number immediately—this is the ONLY way to check your selection status later (no email notifications sent)
7. Check Results in May 2026: Return to dvprogram.state.gov Entry Status Check with your confirmation number starting May 2026 to see if you were selected

Important Dates and Timeline for DV Programs

Mark these critical dates on your calendar to stay ahead of deadlines:

• December 2025 - January 2026: Expected opening of DV-2027 registration window (exact date to be announced by State Department)
• Late December 2025 / January 2026: Expected closing of DV-2027 registration window (likely 2-3 weeks after opening due to delayed start)
• January 2026: DV-2026 cutoff numbers jump significantly—Africa increases from 17,500 to 35,000, Asia from 10,000 to 15,000
• May 2026: DV-2027 lottery results become available through Entry Status Check at dvprogram.state.gov
• September 30, 2026: Final deadline for DV-2026 winners to receive immigrant visas—no exceptions or extensions granted after this date
• October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027: Visa application period for DV-2027 selected winners to complete interviews and receive immigrant visas

DV-2026 December 2025 Cutoff Numbers Released

The State Department released DV-2026 cutoff numbers for December 2025, with several regions remaining steady while previewing significant January 2026 increases:

• Africa: December cutoff 17,500 (jumping to 35,000 in January 2026)—except Algeria 17,250→20,000 and Egypt holding at 16,000
• Asia: December cutoff 10,000 (increasing to 15,000 in January 2026)—except Nepal capped at 6,000 for both months
• Europe: December cutoff 7,750 (advancing to 8,500 in January 2026)—all countries included
• Oceania: December cutoff 1,100 (remaining unchanged in January 2026)—covering Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific islands
• South America and Caribbean: December cutoff 1,850 (staying steady in January 2026)—except few ineligible countries
• North America: Only Bahamas eligible with "Current" status—meaning all Bahamas entries can proceed immediately

These cutoffs determine which DV-2026 winners can schedule visa interviews in December 2025. If your case number is below the cutoff for your region, you can proceed with Form DS-260 submission and interview scheduling. The dramatic January increases signal strong visa availability for most regions as the program approaches its final quarters.

Fraud Alert: How to Avoid Green Card Lottery Scams

The State Department reports a notable increase in fraudulent communications targeting diversity visa applicants, particularly with the new $1 fee creating confusion. Scammers are exploiting the changes to extract money from unsuspecting applicants.

Common Scams to Watch For

Fake Government Emails: The State Department NEVER sends selection notifications, requests for payment, or updates via email, phone calls, or text messages. Any email claiming you won the lottery or requesting personal information is a scam. Official results are only available through the Entry Status Check at dvprogram.state.gov using your confirmation number.

Overcharging Websites: Fraudulent websites pose as official registration portals charging $50, $100, or more for "assisted applications" or "guaranteed entry services." The official registration fee is exactly $1.00—nothing more. Only register through dvprogram.state.gov. Additionally, ensure your passport photo meets requirements by using a trusted service like VisaPics to avoid application rejection.

Visa Consultant Exploitation: Unauthorized brokers file entries on behalf of others without consent, then demand payments of $500-$5,000 to "release" your winning entry if selected. No consultant or broker can improve your odds of selection—the lottery uses a completely random computer drawing system. Never share your confirmation number with anyone claiming they can "check status" for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Will DV-2027 Registration Actually Open?

The State Department has not announced the exact date, stating only that registration will open "as soon as practicable" after system modernization is complete. Immigration experts estimate a December 2025 or January 2026 opening based on the timeline needed for technical implementation. The State Department will post the official announcement on dvprogram.state.gov—bookmark this page and check weekly for updates.

Is the $1 Fee Refundable If I'm Not Selected?

No, the $1 registration fee is completely non-refundable regardless of lottery outcome. This fee covers administrative costs for processing entries and implementing the new verification systems. If you are selected, you will still need to pay the standard visa application fees later (currently $330 per person for the diversity visa processing fee). The $1 entry fee is separate from and in addition to all visa processing fees.

Can I Still Enter Without a Passport at Registration?

No, the new DV-2027 requirements mandate valid passport information during registration, not just at the interview stage as in previous years. You must provide your passport number, issuance date, and expiration date when submitting your entry. The system will validate this information against international passport databases to prevent fraud and duplicate entries. If you don't have a passport yet, apply for one immediately before registration opens.

What Happens to My DV-2026 Entry With These Changes?

The DV-2027 changes do not affect DV-2026 lottery winners in any way. If you were selected in DV-2026, continue your visa application process normally—the $1 fee and new verification systems only apply to DV-2027 and future lotteries. Your deadline to complete the immigrant visa process remains September 30, 2026. Focus on scheduling your interview as soon as your case number becomes current according to the monthly visa bulletin cutoffs.

What You Need to Know Before Applying

The DV-2027 Green Card Lottery represents the most significant program changes in three decades, with the new $1 fee and enhanced verification systems designed to combat fraud while maintaining the program's accessibility for qualified applicants worldwide. The delayed registration timeline means you must stay vigilant in monitoring dvprogram.state.gov for the official announcement—the shortened window may give you only 2-3 weeks to prepare and submit your entry.

Before registration opens, ensure your passport photo meets all U.S. visa requirements to avoid automatic disqualification—services like VisaPics provide compliant passport photos for over 172 countries with 952+ document types, ensuring your photo meets exact specifications. Most importantly, only register through the official State Department website, never pay more than $1 for entry, and never share your confirmation number with anyone claiming they can improve your chances or check results on your behalf.

--- **Sources:** - [U.S. Department of State - Visa Bulletin For December 2025](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-for-december-2025.html) - [Diversity Visa Update: December Cut-Offs - NEPYORK](https://nepyork.com/2025/11/16/diversity-visa-update-december-cut-offs-steady-for-most-january-jumps-africa-from-17500-to-35000/) - [DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Delay - Law Firm 4 Immigrants](https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/dv-2027-green-card-lottery-live-tracker-start-date/) - [DV Lottery Fraud 2025: $1 Fee & Crackdown](https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/dv-lottery-fraud-trump-2025-crackdown/) - [Green Card Update: Changes to Visa Lottery - Newsweek](https://www.newsweek.com/green-card-update-changes-visa-lottery-11012654)