Important update on the Green Card Lottery: What every hopeful applicant needs to know
- Andrew Sones
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you’re planning to participate in the DV-2027 lottery (the green card lottery), it’s critical to be aware that the registration window has been delayed and important changes to the entry process are forthcoming. According to Newsweek, the State Department announced on 5 November that the registration period for the DV-2027 program is not yet open.
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What is the Diversity Visa (DV) Program?
The Diversity Visa (DV) Program, commonly called the green card lottery, is a US immigration pathway that grants up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
Key eligibility criteria include:
A high school education (or its equivalent) or at least two years of qualifying work experience in the past five years.
Residence in a qualifying country for that year’s allocation.
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What’s new for DV-2027?
According to the State Department and immigration experts:
The registration period for DV-2027 has been delayed; the State Department says the start date will be announced “as soon as practicable.”
A regulatory proposal (published 5 August 2025) proposes to require valid, unexpired passport details and scanned biographic pages for applicants (unless exempt).
The same proposal introduces a US$1 electronic registration fee as a cost-recovery measure.
Terminology updates in the rules: replacing “gender” with “sex”, and “age” with “date of birth”.
The visa issuance period for those selected remains unchanged: from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027.
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Why this matters to prospective DV applicants
For individuals and families interested in applying to the DV-2027 program, here’s what the changes mean in practice:
Timing risk: Because the registration window is delayed, you should not rely on past timelines. Planning early — reviewing rules, gathering documents — is key.
Document readiness: Ensure you have a valid, unexpired passport; scanned biographic page; and meet the education/work-experience criteria. The new rules may enforce stricter documentation.
Beware of fraud: The State Department warns about services that claim registration is open or promise increased chances of selection — these claims are false.
Cost implications: A US$1 fee may seem small, but it marks a change in process and shows the government is formalizing steps.
Competitive nature remains unchanged: Only a small fraction of registrants are selected. The cap remains 55,000 visas annually.
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What you can do right now
Monitor the official State Department website for announcements of the DV-2027 registration opening.
Prepare and review your documentation: check your passport, education credentials, and work-experience records.
Avoid paying for “guaranteed” service providers that claim to increase your selection odds—they cannot do so.
Consider alternative pathways: If eligible, you might also explore employment-based visas, family-based visas, or other immigrant programs.
If you’re looking to strengthen your immigration strategy, reach out for a consultation (free) with us. We’ll evaluate your individual situation, assess your eligibility, and help you plan accordingly.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: When does the DV-2027 lottery registration open?
A: The registration window has been delayed and the State Department has not yet announced a start date. The official announcement will come “as soon as practicable.”
Q: What new documentation rules apply for DV-2027?A: The proposed rule change would require valid, unexpired passports with scanned biographic pages for most applicants, and impose a US$1 electronic registration fee.
Q: Does the visa issuance period change?
A: No. If selected, visa issuance would still run from 1 October 2026 through 30 September 2027.
Q: Can paying a service increase my chance of winning the lottery?
A: No. The State Department has specifically warned about scams offering to boost selection chances.
Q: What are alternative immigration options if I’m not selected?
A: You might explore employment-based immigrant visas (e.g., EB-1, EB-2, EB-3), family-based petitions (such as immediate relatives of US citizens), or non-immigrant visa pathways that might lead to permanent residence.