U.S. State Department Imposes $1 Fee for Diversity Visa Lottery Entry

(UNITED STATES) The U.S. Department of State has introduced a $1 electronic registration fee for the Diversity Visa Lottery, a first-of-its-kind charge that took effect with a final rule published on September 16, 2025. The new fee applies starting with the DV-2027 cycle, which traditionally opens in early October but is currently delayed, according to the Department.

The change touches tens of millions of would-be entrants worldwide who submit applications each year for a chance at one of roughly 55,000 immigrant visas. Officials say the move aims to spread program costs more fairly and deter fraudulent or mass entries. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid electronically at the moment of entry through the government’s portal. The long-standing $330 Diversity Visa application fee—paid only by applicants selected in the lottery—remains unchanged.

Why the fee was introduced

The policy marks a notable shift for a program that previously allowed free entry regardless of outcome. While $1 is a small amount, the State Department says it carries policy weight.

• Officials argue the fee helps align program costs with demand, which commonly reaches 20–25 million entries a year.
• The Department wrote in its rulemaking that the fee is intended to “more fairly place the burden of the lottery registration on individuals seeking the benefit of gaining access to the DV application process instead of charging only the small percentage of successful registrants for the costs associated with administering the lottery program for all registrants.”
• Fraud reduction is another central reason: a small financial hurdle aims to curb duplicate and speculative submissions, including entries filed by third parties without the applicant’s knowledge.

The Department projects about $25 million in annual revenue from the fee (assuming ~25 million registrations). These funds are slated to support system maintenance, data processing, and security work required to run the Diversity Visa program at scale.

Legal and regulatory basis

• The legal basis cites federal user-charge principles under OMB Circular A-25.
• The final rule updates 22 CFR Parts 22 and 42 to reflect the new fee structure for the registration stage.
• The Department places the fee into its official fee schedule while keeping the later $330 application fee unchanged.

Implementation details — what entrants must know

• The $1 registration fee is required at the time of entry and must be paid electronically through the authorized portal.
• The fee is non-refundable under all circumstances, including errors or later ineligibility.
• Fees cannot be transferred between years or between applicants.
• The $330 Diversity Visa application fee is still collected later and only from those invited to interviews; it also remains non-refundable.
• The new fee does not change eligibility rules, country lists, or selection odds. Each valid entry retains the same chance in the randomized draw.

Important: The Department stresses the only official payment channel is the government portal; entries paid elsewhere will not count.

Timing and the DV-2027 delay

• As of October 28, 2025, the $1 registration fee is in effect for DV-2027, but the Department confirmed a delay in opening the registration window that usually begins in early October.
• Officials have not provided a new start date and say the delay is not tied to the fee itself.
• Because the entry period is brief and time-sensitive, even a short delay can affect planning for families and employers who track the results calendar year after year.

How the registration process will work

1. Complete the electronic entry form during the open period.
2. Submit required photographs and personal details.
3. Pay $1 electronically as part of that submission.
4. Receive a confirmation number—keep it secure.
5. Check results the following year using the confirmation number.

• The Department advises entrants to pay themselves and retain their confirmation number rather than relying on third parties.
• Lawyers and nonprofit counselors recommend entrants avoid intermediaries and use the official portal to reduce risk of errors or fraud.

Operational goals and expected benefits

• The Department expects the fee to reduce duplicate and speculative entries, improving data quality and the integrity of the draw.
• By reducing mass or fraudulent filings, the agency hopes processing for selected applicants could become steadier and less prone to delays caused by high-volume, low-quality submissions.
• The projected $25 million of revenue is intended to defray costs tied to high-volume entry handling, technical systems, verification, and security.

Concerns and criticisms

• Immigration attorneys note potential confusion: the electronic-only payment requirement could create hurdles in areas with limited internet access or banking options.
• Critics worry that third parties could inflate costs or bundle unnecessary services, increasing the effective expense for applicants in low-income regions.
• Advocates warn of scams mimicking the official payment screen; the Department urges entrants to rely solely on the official portal.
• Observers also raise concerns about unequal access to digital payments across different regions.

What remains unchanged

• Country eligibility rules, the cap of roughly 55,000 visas, and the randomized selection process are not changed by the fee.
• The entry period will still be a short window (dates to be announced).
• Results will still be checked online using a confirmation number; no letters or emails will announce selection.
• Medical exams, police certificates, translation fees, and travel costs continue to be separate, country-specific expenses.

Official resources and contacts

• The authoritative source is the government portal at dvprogram.state.gov, which will publish entry window dates and full instructions.
• For fee questions, the Department lists: Steve Jacob, Office of the Comptroller, Bureau of Consular Affairs — phone: 771–204–4677, email: [email protected].

Practical advice for applicants

• Prepare compliant photos and confirm passport details well in advance.
• Watch for the official announcement of the DV-2027 entry window on the government portal.
• Be ready to pay $1 electronically at submission and to keep your confirmation number secure.
• Avoid intermediaries and follow only the instructions published on the official site.

Key takeaway: The fee is small in amount but significant in policy—asking each entrant to share a fraction of the program’s operational cost while also aiming to deter fraud and duplicate filings.

The Department’s policy change is modest in dollar terms but broad in reach: it affects millions of would-be entrants and represents the first time the Diversity Visa program places a monetary requirement at the point of entry. Whether it brings the promised improvements in data integrity and cost sharing will become clearer after DV-2027 completes its cycle.