Breaking News: Green Card Lottery Faces Historic Changes in November 2025
The U.S. Department of State announced on November 5, 2025, that the Diversity Visa (DV-2027) Green Card lottery registration has been postponed indefinitely while the agency implements significant program changes. For the first time in the lottery's 30-year history, applicants will now pay a mandatory $1 electronic registration fee, effective September 16, 2025.
The State Department confirmed that registration dates "will be widely publicized in the coming months," marking an unusual departure from the traditional October opening. Despite speculation, officials emphasized the program is not being eliminated—only temporarily delayed to accommodate new security measures and payment infrastructure.
Key Changes to the Diversity Visa Lottery Program
The Federal Register published several groundbreaking changes that will affect millions of applicants worldwide:
- Mandatory $1 Registration Fee: All DV-2027 applicants must pay a non-refundable $1 fee electronically at the time of entry submission
- Delayed Registration Period: The traditional October opening has been postponed with no confirmed start date announced as of November 17, 2025
- Enhanced Anti-Fraud System: New security measures will detect duplicate entries and fraudulent applications more effectively
- Payment Infrastructure Upgrade: The State Department is implementing an authorized U.S. government payment portal for fee collection
- Revenue Generation: With an estimated 25 million annual registrations, the new fee will generate approximately $25 million in operational funding
According to the Federal Register document published September 16, 2025, the fee "will more fairly place the burden of the lottery registration on individuals seeking the benefit of gaining access to the DV application process." The costs include system updates, data storage, randomized selection processing, and security reviews.
Who Is Affected by These Green Card Lottery Changes
The new requirements impact different groups of applicants in various ways. Understanding your situation helps you prepare effectively for the upcoming registration period.
For DV-2027 Prospective Applicants
If you plan to enter the DV-2027 lottery, you'll need a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or electronic payment option) to complete your registration. The $1 fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, meaning you cannot get a refund even if you're not selected. Monitor the official State Department website at dvprogram.state.gov regularly for registration opening announcements.
For DV-2026 Selected Winners
Good news—if you're among the 129,516 winners selected in May 2025, these new changes don't affect your application. You can continue processing your immigrant visa application through September 30, 2026, without paying the new $1 registration fee. You'll still need to pay the standard $330 diversity visa application fee when submitting your immigrant visa application.
For Individuals from Ineligible Countries
Natives of 19 countries remain ineligible for the Diversity Visa program, including China (mainland), India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam. However, if you were born in an eligible country or your spouse was born in an eligible country, you may still qualify through cross-chargeability provisions.
How to Register for the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery - Step by Step
Once registration opens, follow these steps to submit your application correctly:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to dvprogram.state.gov—this is the only legitimate registration portal. Avoid third-party websites charging excessive fees.
- Prepare Your Documents: Gather a recent passport photo meeting State Department specifications (2x2 inches, white background, taken within the last 6 months).
- Complete the Electronic Form: Fill out the DS-5501 entry form with accurate information including name, date of birth, country of birth, education level, and current address.
- Pay the $1 Registration Fee: Submit payment electronically through the authorized government payment portal using a valid credit card, debit card, or approved electronic payment method.
- Submit Before the Deadline: Ensure your application is submitted before the registration period closes (typically one month after opening).
- Save Your Confirmation Number: Print or screenshot your confirmation number—you'll need this to check your results in May 2026.
- Check Your Status: Return to dvprogram.state.gov in May 2026 using your confirmation number to see if you were selected.
Important Dates and Timeline for Green Card Lottery
Mark these critical dates on your calendar to avoid missing important deadlines:
- September 16, 2025: New $1 registration fee became effective through Federal Register publication
- November 5, 2025: State Department officially announced DV-2027 registration delay
- Late 2025/Early 2026 (TBD): Expected DV-2027 registration period opening (dates to be announced)
- Registration Period: Typically runs for approximately 30-35 days once opened
- May 2026 (Expected): DV-2027 lottery results will be posted for winner notification
- October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027: DV-2027 visa application window for selected winners
- Current DV-2026 Period: October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026 (for current year winners)
Frequently Asked Questions About the Green Card Lottery
Why Was the DV-2027 Registration Delayed?
The State Department is implementing the new $1 electronic fee system and upgraded anti-fraud technology, which requires significant infrastructure changes. The agency has not provided a specific reopening date but promises to "widely publicize" the registration period well in advance. This delay affects the timeline but does not eliminate the program—all 55,000 diversity visas for DV-2027 will still be available.
Is the $1 Fee Refundable If I'm Not Selected?
No, the $1 registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable under all circumstances. Even if you're not selected in the lottery, you cannot recover this fee. Additionally, if you're selected but don't pursue your visa application or are found ineligible, the registration fee is still not refundable.
How Many People Win the Diversity Visa Lottery Each Year?
The State Department selects significantly more winners than the available 55,000 visas to account for no-shows, disqualifications, and applicants who don't complete the process. For DV-2026, exactly 129,516 applicants were selected from over 20.8 million entries—a selection rate of approximately 0.62%. Not all selected individuals will receive visas, as processing occurs on a first-come, first-served basis until the 55,000 limit is reached.
Can I Apply If My Country Is Not Eligible This Year?
Yes, under specific circumstances. If your spouse was born in an eligible country, you can claim your spouse's country of birth through cross-chargeability. Additionally, if neither you nor your spouse were born in an eligible country, you may claim the country of birth of either of your parents if neither parent was born in your country of birth or legally resided there at the time of your birth.
What Happens If I Submit Multiple Entries?
Submitting more than one entry per person per registration period will result in automatic disqualification. The new enhanced anti-fraud system will detect duplicate entries more effectively than previous years. Even if you're selected with multiple entries, all your entries will be voided, and you will not receive a diversity visa.
What You Need to Know About Green Card Lottery Updates
The Diversity Visa program continues to offer a valuable pathway to U.S. permanent residency despite temporary delays and new fees. The $1 registration fee represents a minimal investment compared to the potential benefit of obtaining a green card worth thousands of dollars in visa processing fees through other immigration channels.
Before applying, ensure your passport photo meets all official requirements to avoid disqualification—photos must be recent (within 6 months), properly sized (2x2 inches), and taken against a white or off-white background. VisaPics can help you create compliant passport photos for your diversity visa application, ensuring your photo meets exact State Department specifications. Stay alert for scams by only using the official dvprogram.state.gov website, and never pay excessive fees to third-party services for basic registration assistance.