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Green Card Lottery 2027 Delayed: When Will Registration Open?

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Last verified: November 2, 2026. This page will be updated when the U.S. Department of State publishes official DV-2027 registration dates.

The green card lottery 2027 is still not open. The U.S. Department of State postponed DV-2027 registration in November 2025, and fiscal year 2027 began on October 1, 2026, without a drawing. In October 2026, a federal court ordered the Department to conduct the DV-2027 lottery, and the government has appealed. Until the official site, dvprogram.state.gov, accepts entries, no one can submit a valid application. Below, we explain what is confirmed about the U.S. green card lottery 2027, what remains uncertain, and how to prepare.

DV-2027 Registration Status

Is the DV Lottery 2027 Open?

US immigration documents with American flag DV-2027
Registration Not Open
No. Not yet.

As of October 29, 2026, the official Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) website still states that entries are not being accepted.

Last checked: Nov. 2, 2026 Official site: dvprogram.state.gov

Any website, social media post, or agent claiming that DV-2027 registration is open is wrong unless the State Department has confirmed it.

Latest DV-2027 Registration Status

Item Status Source
DV-2027 registration Not open dvprogram.state.gov
Official opening and closing dates Not yet announced by the State Department U.S. Department of State
Original postponement Announced Nov. 5, 2025; dates "as soon as practicable" U.S. Department of State

Has the U.S. Government Announced an Opening Date?

Not yet, as of our last check. The State Department's only official DV-2027 notice, dated November 7, 2025, says it will announce the DV lottery 2027 start date later. Any deadline set by a court is separate from a registration date officially announced by the State Department.

The ongoing litigation could affect the registration schedule. Until the State Department confirms a green card lottery 2027 start date, check the official Electronic Diversity Visa website before attempting to register.

Why Was the Green Card Lottery 2027 Delayed?

The State Department has not publicly explained the full reason for the visa lottery 2027 delay. Its November 5, 2025, notice said only that it was implementing changes to the Diversity Visa entry process.

What the Department of State Announced

In its November 5, 2025, notice, the Department stated that it would announce two dates "as soon as practicable": the start of DV-2027 registration and the date selection results would appear in Entrant Status Check. The notice also confirmed that the visa application period for DV-2027 selectees stays October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.

Two verified rule changes appeared around the same time:

  • September 16, 2025: A final rule created a $1 electronic registration fee for the lottery.
  • March 11, 2026: A final rule (91 FR 11891) added a passport requirement at the entry stage, effective April 10, 2026, and set for implementation with DV-2027.

Registration normally opens in early October. DV-2026 registration, for example, ran from October 2 to November 5, 2024, according to the official E-DV site.

Does the Delay Mean the DV-2027 Lottery Is Canceled?

The State Department has not announced a cancellation. However, registration never opened before fiscal year 2027 began. In August 2026, an immigration law firm sued Secretary of State Marco Rubio to force the program forward.

In October 2026, a federal court granted a preliminary injunction in Red Eagle Law, L.C. v. Rubio, requiring the State Department to move forward with the DV-2027 lottery. However, the government appealed, and on October 29, 2026, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily stayed the injunction pending appeal. As a result, the previously ordered registration deadlines are not currently enforceable, and no official DV-2027 registration opening date has been announced.

REGISTRATION DATES

When Will DV Lottery 2027 Registration Open?

The U.S. Department of State has not yet announced an official DV-2027 registration opening date. Pending litigation could affect the schedule, so rely only on dates the State Department publishes.

DV-2027 Opening Date and Application Deadline

Federal regulation requires each registration period to last at least 30 days under 22 CFR 42.33.

The green card lottery 2027 application deadline has not been officially confirmed. The Department of State has not published a confirmed DV-2027 registration closing date in the official instructions reviewed. Applicants should wait for the official opening and closing dates in the DV lottery 2027 announcement and submit their entries within the announced registration period.

Registration Period vs. Visa Application Period

The Diversity Visa Program runs in four separate stages. Mixing them up is one of the most common sources of confusion.

1
Lottery registration: You submit one electronic entry on dvprogram.state.gov during the official window and save your confirmation number.
2
Selection: The Department randomly selects entrants. You learn the result only through Entrant Status Check.
3
Visa application: Selectees submit the DS-260 immigrant visa application and supporting documents, or apply to adjust status in the United States if eligible.
4
Visa issuance: A consular officer or USCIS decides the case. DV-2027 visas cannot be issued after September 30, 2027.
DV-2027 Visa Period Begins
October 1, 2026
Per the State Department's Nov. 5, 2025 notice
Last Day for DV-2027 Visas
September 30, 2027
No DV-2027 visa can be issued after this date

This year, all four stages must fit inside a shortened timeline. Because Diversity Visas are available only during the applicable fiscal year, selected applicants should follow official instructions promptly. Selection does not guarantee a visa, and processing depends on eligibility, visa availability, and applicable procedures.

REQUIREMENTS

DV Lottery 2027 Requirements: Passport, Fees and Eligibility

DV-2027 is the first cycle expected to apply two new federal rules: a passport requirement at entry and a $1 registration fee. The official DV-2027 instructions should confirm exactly how each one works.

Passport and Document Requirements

The March 11, 2026, final rule requires entrants to provide information from a valid, unexpired passport, or to indicate that they qualify for an exemption. The rule took effect April 10, 2026, and the State Department said it will implement it starting with DV-2027.

According to the rule, entrants should expect to upload a scan of the passport's biographic and signature page. The rule includes limited exemptions for people who cannot obtain a passport. Check the official DV-2027 instructions for the exact file format and exemption criteria before you apply.

If you do not hold a valid passport, start the renewal or application process now and check your issuing country's current processing times.

Registration Fees and Applicable Rules

A final rule published September 16, 2025, established a $1 fee to register for the Diversity Visa lottery. The fee is paid electronically at submission through an authorized U.S. government payment portal.

The Department of State's fee schedule currently lists the $1 registration fee and a separate $330 Diversity Visa application fee for applicants pursuing a Diversity Visa through consular processing. Applicants eligible to adjust status within the United States follow different application procedures and should verify the applicable USCIS filing fees. No legitimate service can lower these fees or improve your odds.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

To enter the diversity visa lottery 2027, you must meet two basic tests under the State Department's DV instructions:

  • Country of eligibility: You generally must be born in a qualifying country. Natives of countries that sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years are excluded. In limited cases, you may claim your spouse's or a parent's country of birth.
  • Education or work experience: The principal entrant generally needs at least a high school education or its equivalent, or two years of qualifying work experience within the past five years. Qualifying work experience is narrower than any two years of employment: the occupation must meet the State Department's training and experience criteria.

The DV-2027 list of eligible countries had not appeared in official DV-2027 instructions as of our last check. Do not assume your country qualifies because it qualified for DV-2026. Each year's list appears in that year's official instructions.

Prepare Now, Before the Portal Opens

How to Apply for the Green Card Lottery 2027 When Registration Opens

The registration window will likely be short, so prepare now. The steps below do not require the portal to be open.

Check Eligibility and Prepare Required Information

  • Confirm your country of birth and your education or work history.
  • Secure a valid, unexpired passport.
  • Take a recent digital photo that meets State Department photo rules, for yourself and each eligible family member.
  • Provide complete and accurate information about your spouse and all children who must be listed under the applicable Diversity Visa instructions, even if they do not intend to immigrate with you. Certain exceptions apply, so review the DV-2027 instructions carefully before submitting your entry.
  • Prepare a way to pay the $1 fee electronically.

Use the Official DV Lottery Website

  • Submit your DV lottery 2027 registration only at dvprogram.state.gov.
  • Submit only one entry per person; multiple entries disqualify you.
  • Save your confirmation number in a safe place. You will need it to check your result in Entrant Status Check and keep it until at least September 30, 2027.

How to Avoid DV Lottery Scams

  • The State Department does not notify selectees by email, text, or letter. Results appear only in Entrant Status Check.
  • No person, agency, or attorney can increase your chances of selection.
  • Official U.S. government websites end in .gov.
  • Never pay anyone who promises a "guaranteed" green card or claims DV-2027 is open before the official announcement.

Scammers increase activity whenever a lottery date is in the news. If you have questions about your eligibility or your broader immigration options, Serving Immigrants can review your situation.

Get Legal Guidance on Your Immigration Options

Speak With an Immigration Attorney

The DV-2027 timeline is unusually compressed, and new passport rules add another step at entry. An attorney cannot improve your odds in a random drawing, but legal guidance can help you avoid costly mistakes before and after selection.


The team at Serving Immigrants, can help you review your eligibility, evaluate how your immigration history may affect a diversity visa or adjustment of status application, and explore other paths to a green card if the lottery is not the right fit. If you have questions about the green card lottery 2027 or your broader immigration options, schedule a consultation with our office.


Frequently Asked Questions About DV-2027

You can apply only after the State Department opens registration on dvprogram.state.gov. A federal court has ordered the Department to conduct the DV-2027 lottery, but the government has appealed and the schedule could change. Confirm the official dates on the State Department website before you apply.

No cancellation has been announced. The State Department postponed DV-2027 in November 2025, and registration did not open before fiscal year 2027 began. In October 2026, a federal court granted a preliminary injunction requiring the Department to move forward with the lottery. An appeal is pending, so the program's final timeline may still change.

The State Department has not confirmed a closing date. Federal regulations require a registration period of at least 30 days. Separately, all DV-2027 visas must be issued by September 30, 2027. Rely only on the dates in the official DV-2027 instructions.

No. As of October 29, 2026, the official E-DV website states that it is not accepting entries. Entries will be accepted only through dvprogram.state.gov after the State Department announces official dates.

Yes. You may submit an entry from anywhere, including the United States, as long as you meet the country-of-eligibility and education or work requirements. If you are selected and live in the U.S., you may be able to apply for adjustment of status with USCIS, depending on your immigration history and current status.

Selection gives you the chance to apply for a diversity visa, not a guaranteed green card. Consular applicants submit the DS-260, pay the $330 fee, attend an interview, and prove eligibility; applicants in the U.S. may follow USCIS adjustment procedures and fees. Follow official instructions promptly. DV-2027 visas end September 30, 2027.

Check the State Department's Visas Newsroom, the Diversity Visa Instructions page, and dvprogram.state.gov. U.S. embassy websites also repeat official notices. Treat news articles and social media posts as secondary sources until the State Department confirms them.

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