(UNITED STATES) The U.S. Department of State has not announced the Diversity Visa registration start date for the 2027 program, leaving would-be applicants worldwide waiting longer than usual for the DV-2027 entry window to open. As of November 12, 2025, officials say the agency is making changes to the entry process and will provide the DV-2027 registration start date “as soon as practicable,” along with the date when selection results will be released.
The delay affects millions of hopeful entrants who typically prepare documents and photos in early autumn, when the program traditionally begins accepting entries.
What the State Department announced (and when)
- The pause became official on November 5, 2025, when the State Department confirmed the start date would not arrive on the typical October schedule and would instead be announced later.
- The department said it is implementing adjustments tied to the entry process and that details on both the opening of the entry period and the timing for checking selection results would be posted together.
- That confirmation settled weeks of speculation among applicants tracking the calendar and watching for the government’s update.
The department used the phrase “as soon as practicable” to describe when it will publish the opening date and selection-results timing.
Why this is noteworthy
- The Diversity Visa program rarely shifts its entry calendar once fall begins.
- By comparison, DV-2026 ran normally: it opened on October 2, 2024, and closed on November 7, 2024, with no fee required to enter.
- For DV-2027, the customary early-October opening was missed; as of mid-November the registration start date is still unknown.
- This uncertainty disrupts routines for families and community groups who plan photos, passports, and internet access around a short entry window.
Factors likely contributing to the delay
- Analysts at VisaVerge.com point to the newly announced $1 fee to enter the lottery (unveiled in September 2025) as a likely cause. A few implications:
- Setting up a secure payment system and integrating it with the entry form adds technical complexity.
- Global-scale testing of payments, fraud prevention, and system safeguards increases rollout time.
- VisaVerge.com also notes a federal government shutdown in early November could be slowing communications and non-urgent updates.
- Officials have not provided technical details beyond stating they are “implementing changes.”
Timeline for visa processing remains unchanged
- Despite the later opening, the State Department says the downstream visa application window for those selected is unchanged.
- Selection-based visa processing for DV-2027 remains tied to the government fiscal year:
- Application period: October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027
- That timeline is important to consular officers, employers, and families planning travel and document collection.
Official guidance and warnings
- The State Department urges the public to rely only on its official website for updates.
- When DV-2027 details are ready, they will be posted on the State Department’s Diversity Visa pages, including instructions on how and when to check selection results.
- For accurate information, monitor the U.S. government’s official Diversity Visa page at:
- The department stresses communications will appear only on government domains and warns:
- Any email claiming a guaranteed selection or asking for large payments is a scam.
Practical advice for applicants
- Prepare what you can now:
- Ensure passports meet any program rules in effect at the time of entry.
- Take compliant photos when convenient but be mindful of photo expiration rules.
- Secure steady internet access for submitting entries when the window opens.
- Resist pressure from unverified sites claiming secret openings or charging extra fees.
- Community groups (libraries, internet cafes) report more inquiries as people try to avoid mistakes that could lead to disqualification.
Operational implications for the State Department
- A normal year brings a surge of entries at opening, then a steadier flow until closing.
- Adding a $1 entry fee introduces a new step requiring:
- Global payment processing
- Fraud prevention measures
- Additional system safeguards and testing
- Even small charges can complicate systems that previously had no payment component, and integrating payments across time zones and internet conditions takes time.
Broader context and takeaway
- Historically, the Diversity Visa program has been consistent—DV-2026 proceeded on schedule and selection results followed the usual spring timeline.
- The DV-2027 delay is unusual but not unprecedented for large federal systems adapting to new requirements.
- The key difference this year is that the DV-2027 registration start date remains unannounced well into November, lengthening the wait for applicants.
Best course: exercise patience and caution. Wait for the State Department’s official notice on its government pages, prepare required documents now where possible, and avoid third-party claims promising early entry or special treatment for DV-2027.
This Article in a Nutshell
The State Department postponed announcing the DV-2027 registration start date, confirming on November 5, 2025, that entry-process changes are being implemented. The delay likely stems from adding a $1 entry fee and the need to integrate and test global payment, fraud prevention, and system safeguards. DV-2026 followed the normal schedule; DV-2027’s selection and visa-processing timeline remains unchanged, with applications for selected winners set for October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. Applicants should rely solely on official State Department pages and prepare documents in advance.
