DV-2027 Green Card Lottery: Complete Guide to Rules, Status, and What to Do Now

The DV-2027 Diversity Visa Lottery — commonly called the Green Card Lottery — is in uncharted territory. For the first time in the program’s 30-year history, the U.S. government has paused all diversity visa processing, delayed the DV-2027 registration window, and introduced sweeping new anti-fraud requirements that will change how millions of people apply.

This guide covers everything you need to know as of March 2026: the current program status, what the new rules mean for DV-2027, the fate of DV-2026 selectees, ongoing legal battles, and exactly what steps prospective applicants should take right now.

Whether you are waiting for the DV-2027 registration window to open, a DV-2026 selectee whose case is frozen, or someone considering the lottery for the first time, this article provides the most current and detailed breakdown available.

The Diversity Visa program, established by Congress under Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, allocates up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year to nationals of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. The program has been a pathway for millions of people from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania to obtain lawful permanent residence in the U.S.

But the events of late 2025 and early 2026 have thrown the program into uncertainty. Here is the full picture.

Current Status of the DV Lottery Program (March 2026)

On December 18, 2025, following the shooting at Brown University and the killing of an MIT professor — events linked to an individual who entered the U.S. through the DV program years earlier — President Trump directed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to immediately pause the Diversity Visa program. Five days later, on December 23, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the State Department would halt all diversity visa issuances indefinitely.

This pause was not implemented through a numbered executive order. Instead, it came through three administrative actions:

• DHS Secretary Noem’s directive (December 18, 2025) ordering an immediate program pause
• USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0193 (December 19, 2025) placing all pending DV adjustment-of-status applications on “hold and review”
• State Department guidance (December 23, 2025) halting diversity visa issuance at all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide

Additionally, on January 21, 2026, the State Department implemented a separate immigrant visa processing freeze for 75 countries — including many nations from which DV applicants traditionally come, such as Somalia, Haiti, Iran, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan. This compounds the DV pause for applicants from those countries.

A critical legal point: the DV program is established by federal law. Permanently ending it would require an act of Congress, not just executive directives. Previously issued diversity visas have not been revoked.

DV-2027 Registration: Why It Has Not Opened

In a typical year, DV registration opens in early October and runs for approximately 30 days. For DV-2027, the State Department announced delays even before the December pause, citing the need for technical and regulatory changes to implement the new $1 fee and passport scan requirements.

On November 5, 2025, the State Department stated that DV-2027 registration dates would be released “as soon as practicable.” The December program pause further pushed back any opening. As of March 2026, registration remains closed with no confirmed dates.

If and when registration does open, the visa application period for selected applicants would be October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 (fiscal year 2027).

New Rules for DV-2027: Passport Scan and $1 Fee

On March 11, 2026, the State Department published a final rule in the Federal Register (document 2026-04737), titled “Visas: Enhancing Vetting and Combatting Fraud in the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.” This rule takes effect on April 10, 2026 and introduces two major changes for DV-2027.

Why the passport requirement is back

The State Department cited alarming fraud data as justification. During the DV-2025 cycle (FY25), more than 2.5 million duplicate entries were disqualified — compared to only 760,079 duplicates during FY22, when a passport requirement was in effect. That is more than a 3x increase in fraud when the passport rule was removed.

Many of these duplicate entries were submitted by unauthorized third parties and criminal enterprises who filed on behalf of individuals without their knowledge, then contacted selectees to demand large fees or coerce them into fraudulent schemes. The reinstated passport requirement is designed to make mass duplicate filing significantly harder.

What Is Happening to DV-2026 Selectees

DV-2026 results were released on schedule on May 3, 2025, with approximately 125,000 to 129,516 entrants selected for the roughly 55,000 available visa slots. Processing began on October 1, 2025 — the start of fiscal year 2026.

Then came the December 2025 pause. The consequences for DV-2026 selectees are severe:

• Visa issuance halted: Embassies may continue scheduling interviews, but no diversity visas are being issued
• USCIS adjustment frozen: All pending DV adjustment-of-status applications are on “hold and review” — no approvals or denials are being issued
• Ancillary benefits frozen: Applications for adjustment-based work authorization (EAD) and advance parole (travel authorization) are also on hold
• Hard deadline: By law, all DV-2026 visas must be issued by September 30, 2026 — there are no extensions or carryovers

Legal Challenges: Ivanov v. Trump

On approximately March 15, 2026, a major class-action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia:

• Case: Ivanov v. Trump, Civil Action No. 126-cv-915
• Lead plaintiff: Viacheslav Ivanov
• Plaintiffs: 1,622 individuals from 738 DV-2026 selectee families across 72 countries, including Nepal, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Iran, Albania, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan
• Defendants: President Trump, Stephen Miller, Secretary Rubio, USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, DHS Secretary Noem, and Attorney General Pamela Bondi

The lawsuit challenges three specific policies: (1) the USCIS freeze on pending DV adjustment applications, (2) the State Department’s global pause on diversity visa issuance, and (3) the policy halting immigrant visas for nationals from 75 countries. The plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief plus a writ of mandamus to compel adjudication before the September 30, 2026 deadline.

Legal analysts have noted that the suspension may be vulnerable to challenge under the Administrative Procedure Act because it was issued without notice-and-comment rulemaking and arguably exceeds the executive branch’s delegated authority over a congressionally established program.

As of March 19, 2026, the case was recently filed and there is no administration response or court ruling yet. A separate lawsuit has also been filed challenging the 75-country immigrant visa freeze.

DV-2027 Eligibility Requirements

While the program is paused and registration has not opened, the eligibility criteria for DV-2027 remain based on existing law. When registration does open, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Country of birth requirement

You must be a native of a country that qualifies for the DV program. Countries with more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the preceding five years are excluded. The list of eligible and ineligible countries changes annually and is published in the official DV instructions for each cycle. Historically excluded countries include India, China (mainland-born), Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, the United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland), Canada, and others.

If you were born in an ineligible country but your spouse was born in an eligible country, you may be able to “cross-charge” and claim eligibility through your spouse’s country of birth.

Education or work experience requirement

You must have either:

• A high school diploma (or foreign equivalent — a 12-year course of formal education), or
• Two years of qualifying work experience within the last five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET database

Failure to meet these requirements results in denial at the interview stage, even if selected in the lottery.

New for DV-2027: passport requirement

Under the April 10, 2026 final rule, every DV-2027 entrant must possess a valid, unexpired passport and upload a scan of its biographic and signature pages as part of the electronic entry. Limited exemptions exist for stateless individuals and nationals of Communist-controlled countries who cannot obtain a passport.

How to Apply for DV-2027: Step-by-Step Process

When the registration window eventually opens, here is the complete process based on the new rules:

Photo and Entry Requirements: Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection

The DV lottery has historically seen high rejection rates due to entry errors. With the addition of the passport scan requirement, accuracy is even more important. Here are the most common mistakes:

• Wrong or outdated photo: Photos must be taken within the last six months. Old photos, filtered photos, or photos that alter facial features lead to disqualification
• Wearing glasses: Glasses are not allowed in DV lottery photos under any circumstances
• Omitting family members: Failing to list an eligible spouse or child under 21 is one of the most common causes of denial at the interview stage — even if that family member does not plan to immigrate
• Multiple entries: Submitting more than one entry per person results in disqualification of all entries for that individual. If both spouses qualify, each may submit a separate entry listing the other and all children
• Name mismatches: Your name must match your passport exactly, in English alphabet characters
• Illegible passport scan: The new passport bio page upload must be clear and complete — blurry or cropped scans will be rejected

DV-2027 Timeline: Key Dates

After Selection: What Happens If You Are Chosen

If DV-2027 registration opens and you are selected (results typically released in May of the following year), here is what the process involves — assuming the program is operational:

1. Receive a case number through the Entrant Status Check at dvprogram.state.gov
2. Complete Form DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa Application) for yourself and each family member in your case
3. Upload supporting documents including birth certificates, police certificates, court records, military records, and educational credentials
4. Schedule a medical exam with an authorized panel physician in your country
5. Attend a consular interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate when your case number becomes current under the monthly Visa Bulletin
6. Pay the $330 DV application fee before or at the interview (this is separate from the $1 registration fee)
7. Receive your immigrant visa if approved, placed in your passport
8. Enter the United States before your visa expires and pay the $235 USCIS immigrant fee

There are typically more selectees than available visas because not everyone completes processing or meets requirements. Acting quickly after selection — filing DS-260 promptly, responding to document requests, and tracking the Visa Bulletin — is critical. If your case number does not become current or your interview does not occur by the end of the fiscal year, the opportunity expires permanently.

Fraud Warnings and Safety Precautions

The DV lottery has always attracted scammers, and the current uncertainty has made the situation worse. The State Department warns applicants to take these precautions:

• Only use official government websites ending in .gov — specifically dvprogram.state.gov for registration and travel.state.gov for program information
• Never pay third-party agents who promise increased odds, guaranteed selection, or faster processing — none of these are possible
• Ignore emails or messages claiming you were selected — the State Department does not notify selectees by email, phone, or letter. The Entrant Status Check is the only official notification method
• Be suspicious of any DV-2027 registration offers right now — the registration window has not opened
• Report scams to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or the State Department’s fraud reporting system

What You Should Do Right Now (March 2026)

Whether you are a prospective DV-2027 applicant or a DV-2026 selectee, here are the concrete steps to take today:

If you plan to apply for DV-2027

• Get a valid passport immediately. The new rule requires a passport bio page scan. Passport processing takes weeks or months in many countries — do not wait
• Prepare your photo. Have a compliant, recent photo ready so you can submit quickly when the window opens
• Ensure your payment method works. You need a debit or credit card that can process a $1 international transaction through the U.S. Treasury system. Contact your bank to verify
• Monitor only official sources. Bookmark travel.state.gov and check periodically for registration date announcements
• Do not rely solely on the DV lottery. Given the unprecedented suspension, explore alternative immigration pathways if available to you
• Budget extra time for the application. The new passport upload requirement means the process will take longer — plan for at least 90 minutes

If you are a DV-2026 selectee

• Keep all documents current. Ensure your police certificates, medical exams, and civil documents remain valid
• Follow the Ivanov v. Trump lawsuit. A favorable ruling could compel the government to resume processing before the September 30, 2026 deadline
• Consult an immigration attorney. An attorney can advise on whether to join the lawsuit or take other legal action to protect your case
• Do not abandon your case. Even though processing is frozen, keep your DS-260 submitted and your documents ready
• Read our detailed guide on what current DV lottery winners should do now

DV Lottery by the Numbers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DV-2027 registration open?

No. As of March 2026, DV-2027 registration has not opened. The State Department delayed it due to the new passport scan and fee requirements, and the December 2025 program pause has further extended the delay. No registration dates have been announced. Any website claiming DV-2027 is open is a scam.

Is the DV lottery canceled permanently?

The DV lottery is paused, not permanently canceled. The program is established by federal law (INA Section 203(c)), and permanently ending it would require congressional legislation. The current pause was implemented through administrative directives, not a change in law. However, there is no timeline for when — or whether — the pause will be lifted.

What is the new $1 fee for the DV lottery?

Starting with DV-2027, every entrant must pay a non-refundable $1 electronic registration fee at the time of submission. This is the first time in the program’s history that entry has not been free. The fee is paid through the U.S. Treasury’s payment system using a debit or credit card. No waivers are available. This fee is separate from the $330 DV application fee that selected applicants pay later.

Why do I need a passport to enter the DV-2027 lottery?

A final rule effective April 10, 2026 requires all DV-2027 entrants to upload a scan of their passport’s biographic and signature pages. This requirement was reinstated after more than 2.5 million duplicate entries were caught in DV-2025 — over three times the number detected when the passport requirement was previously in place. The passport scan makes mass fraudulent entries significantly harder to submit.

What happened to DV-2026 selectees?

DV-2026 results were released on May 3, 2025, and processing began in October 2025. However, the December 2025 pause froze all DV visa issuance and USCIS adjustment processing. DV-2026 selectees now face a hard statutory deadline of September 30, 2026 — after which their selection expires permanently. A major lawsuit (Ivanov v. Trump) has been filed to compel the government to resume processing.

Can I submit more than one DV-2027 entry?

No. Only one entry per person is allowed. If you submit multiple entries, all of your entries will be disqualified. However, if both you and your spouse are from eligible countries, each of you may submit a separate entry — but each entry must list the other spouse and all qualifying children.

How will I know if I am selected for DV-2027?

The only official way to check DV lottery results is through the Entrant Status Check at dvprogram.state.gov. You need your unique confirmation number to access it. The State Department does not notify selectees by email, phone, text, or letter. Any message claiming you were selected through other channels is a scam.

What does the Ivanov v. Trump lawsuit mean for the DV lottery?

Filed in March 2026, Ivanov v. Trump is a class-action lawsuit by 1,622 DV-2026 selectees from 72 countries challenging the government’s freeze on DV processing. The plaintiffs argue the pause is unlawful and seek a court order compelling the government to process their cases before the September 30, 2026 deadline. A favorable ruling could force the government to resume issuing diversity visas, though the case is still in its early stages.

Should I hire an immigration lawyer for the DV lottery?

You do not need a lawyer to enter the DV lottery — the registration process is straightforward and free (aside from the new $1 fee). However, if you are selected, an immigration attorney can help with DS-260 preparation, document assembly, and interview preparation. If you are a DV-2026 selectee affected by the freeze, an attorney can advise on legal options including potential participation in ongoing lawsuits.

What countries are eligible for DV-2027?

The official list of eligible countries for DV-2027 has not been published because registration has not opened. Generally, countries whose nationals have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years are excluded. Historically excluded countries include India, China (mainland-born), Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, the United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland), Canada, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Vietnam — though the list changes annually.