DV-2027 Green Card Lottery: New $1 Fee, Passport Checks, and More

(UNITED STATES) The U.S. Green Card Lottery for 2027 is adding a $1 registration fee and tighter identity checks as part of a broader technology upgrade, a shift that could affect millions of would-be immigrants waiting for the Diversity Visa draw known as DV-2027. The registration window, usually set in early October, has been pushed back and is now expected to open in October 2025 and close in November 2025, following delays tied to system modernization and recent government shutdowns. The State Department will still offer up to 55,000 immigrant visas under the program’s annual cap.

Officials say the new rules aim to make the process more secure and harder to exploit, without changing the program’s core promise: a random selection open to people from countries with historically low immigration to the United States. Entrants must submit electronically through the official online portal; paper entries are not accepted. Every applicant will also need to provide a valid, unexpired passport at the time of entry, a requirement intended to strengthen identity verification and deter fraud.

The extra $1 registration fee marks a first for the program. It is symbolic in size but carries real purpose, government officials have said in explaining the modernization push. The new fee is designed to help screen out automated mass entries and reduce duplicate submissions. The State Department has urged people to avoid third-party agents and to rely solely on the government’s instructions. Scammers target the lottery every year with fake websites and false “guarantees,” a problem that has grown as people rush to meet deadlines or struggle with document requirements.

The demand remains huge. Millions of hopefuls across Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe are waiting for the new window to open, many having watched prior plans fall apart as passport renewals expired, photos went out of date, or earlier delays pushed them past deadlines. Attorneys and community groups say the pause before DV-2027 gives applicants a chance to get ready.

“Use this pause to prepare — confirm eligibility, scan your passport, and avoid anyone claiming early access,” said Richard T. Herman, Esq., an immigration attorney who advises lottery entrants.

Critical parts of the process will not change. Winners are selected by computer at random, not on education level, wealth, or family ties, and the draw remains blind to personal influence. Eligibility hinges on two main rules: a person must be a native of a country with low rates of recent immigration to the United States, and they must have either a high school diploma or at least two years of qualifying work experience. The State Department emphasizes that the lottery itself does not award a visa; selection gives the chance to apply for an immigrant visa within a set period.

Those selected in DV-2027 will be able to apply for immigrant visas between October 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027. Applicants must track their own status; the U.S. government does not send emails or letters to tell people if they were picked. Instead, each entrant receives a confirmation number at registration and must use it to check results online. That number becomes the key to the rest of the process, and losing it can mean losing the opportunity.

The State Department has also issued fresh warnings about scams, a recurring threat whenever the lottery opens. Fraudsters set up websites that mimic official pages, charge fake fees, or claim they can secure early access or guaranteed selection. Officials stress that the government does not use agents and cannot be influenced by private payments. Applicants should rely on the U.S. Department of State DV Program page for instructions, updates, and status checks.

The delay into 2025 reflects more than a technical upgrade. Immigration advocates and analysts tie the slower timeline to the Trump–Vance immigration agenda, which pushes for reductions in legal immigration and has contributed to administrative slowdowns. The Diversity Visa Program itself is rooted in law—Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act—and cannot be eliminated without Congress. But the executive branch can influence timelines and procedures, and that is where several recent adjustments have taken place, from fee changes to identity rules to system modernization.

The introduction of the $1 registration fee has sparked debate within immigrant communities and diaspora groups. Advocates say the token charge is unlikely to deter poor applicants but should help the State Department weed out mass entries and streamline vetting. Others fear the fee could be the first step toward a larger paywall. For now, the charge remains nominal, and State Department messaging frames it as part of a broader anti-fraud and modernization effort, rather than a barrier to entry.

Identity checks are getting stronger, too. The passport-at-entry rule means people must have a current, valid passport before they can submit their lottery forms. That adds timelines and costs in countries where passport appointments can take weeks or months. The State Department argues the requirement is essential to verify identities from the outset and to reduce duplicate or fraudulent entries. Applicants who previously relied on agents to submit forms on their behalf will now need to ensure their documents are in order well before the October–November 2025 window.

Practically, the guidance for DV-2027 is straightforward. Prepare early. Ensure the passport is valid through the registration period. Get a recent compliant photo ready. Submit only one entry per person; duplicate entries result in automatic disqualification. Keep the confirmation number safe. Check status only through the official platform. And be skeptical of anyone asking for money beyond the $1 registration fee or promising a result they cannot control.

Attorneys say the change in timing will affect family planning, work schedules, and finances for people who treat the window as a once-a-year chance. Many applicants save toward potential travel, schedule language tests or document appointments, and coordinate with relatives abroad to gather paperwork. Some have lost money on expired photos or passport renewals, but they remain in the queue for the next opportunity. Past winners often describe the draw as “a life-changing opportunity” and “the only legal pathway for many without family or employer sponsorship,” a reminder that the lottery remains a rare opening for those without U.S. relatives or job offers.

While no single region dominates the lottery, the geography of interest has shifted over time. Demand has grown from parts of West and East Africa, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe, reflecting both population growth and local economic strain. In some cities, internet cafes host informal “lottery days,” helping people format photos or navigate online forms. Community advocates warn that unscrupulous operators sometimes keep confirmation numbers from clients, a tactic that traps winners in unnecessary fees later. The State Department’s advice is to apply personally, keep personal records, and never surrender the confirmation number to a third party.

The program’s cap remains 55,000 visas, and selection does not guarantee a visa. Consular interviews, document checks, and security screening still apply, and visas are processed on a rolling basis during the fiscal year. That timeline is why the DV-2027 application window runs from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027: it aligns with U.S. government fiscal years. Applicants at the front of the line—those with lower case numbers—tend to move first, though availability can vary by region and consular workload.

The U.S. Green Card Lottery has become a staple topic on social media, where false claims can spread quickly. Misleading posts tell people the government will email them if they win or that agencies can “boost” an application for a fee. In reality, the State Department does not send selection notices by email or mail, and there is no way to increase the odds. Every valid entry has the same chance in the computer draw. The move to electronic-only applications is designed to simplify the intake and limit errors, but applicants must follow the photo and data rules closely. Small mistakes can lead to disqualification later.

Applicants also need to be mindful of country eligibility. The list of eligible countries can change each year based on recent immigration data. People born in high-immigration countries are typically not eligible unless they qualify through a spouse’s birthplace or, in limited cases, a parent’s. Education and work experience rules remain simple but firm: a high school diploma or the equivalent, or two years of qualifying work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training. These criteria are checked after selection; they are not used to rank entries before the draw.

As the DV-2027 window approaches, immigration lawyers expect a burst of interest when the State Department announces the exact start date. Community groups plan information sessions to explain the new identity and fee rules and to warn against phishing and copycat websites. Attorneys are advising clients to prepare documents now, including passport scans and compliant photos, so that they can submit as soon as the system opens.

“Use this pause to prepare — confirm eligibility, scan your passport, and avoid anyone claiming early access,” Herman said, repeating his advice as the timeline shifts into late 2025.

The political backdrop remains uncertain. Even with statutory protection, the program can be slowed or reshaped through administration policy. That uncertainty adds pressure each year as applicants race to meet windows and navigate new rules. Still, the core structure has endured since the 1990s: a randomized selection that offers a path for people who might never otherwise qualify. For those without family ties in the United States or a U.S. employer, the U.S. Green Card Lottery is often the only realistic chance to seek permanent residence.

For now, the message from officials and advocates is consistent: prepare early, apply only once, protect your confirmation number, and rely on official guidance. The DV-2027 changes—most notably the $1 registration fee and the passport-at-entry rule—are intended to tighten security without altering the basic odds. The delay into October–November 2025 sets a new rhythm for the calendar but does not change the program’s purpose. Past winners from Nigeria, Uzbekistan, Nepal, and many other countries say the opportunity opened doors to study, work, and family stability they could not find at home. As one common refrain has it, the lottery is “a life-changing opportunity,” and for many, “the only legal pathway for many without family or employer sponsorship.”

With the State Department urging caution about scams and promising clearer instructions closer to the opening, applicants are watching for the formal notice that will confirm the final dates and technical details. When it comes, they will have a tight window to get entries in and a long wait to check results with their confirmation numbers. For millions hoping to move, the DV-2027 draw remains what it has always been: a straight shot at the American dream, filtered through rules that try to keep the playing field level, one entry per person, and a computer draw that does not care who you are—only whether you followed the rules and clicked submit in time.