The U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, which typically opens in the first week of October each year, has been delayed by nearly two months this time. The U.S. Department of State has yet to announce the registration dates. Inquiries made by NepYork to the Department sought clarification on the reasons behind the delay.
A State Department spokesperson explained that the Diversity Visa program is established by statute and will continue to be implemented as required by law. The official confirmed that changes are being introduced to the DV entry process this year, and that registration dates and other details will be published on travel.state.gov once available.
The Department also referred to a key update announced on September 15 — the introduction of a $1 registration fee for the Diversity Visa program. According to the spokesperson, this fee ensures that the cost of managing the random selection process is borne by applicants rather than the general public. It is also intended to reduce fraudulent or speculative entries often facilitated by third-party brokers.
Although the Department has not specified when registration for the DV-2027 lottery will begin, officials emphasized that the program remains active and will be carried out transparently in accordance with U.S. immigration law. Applicants are advised to follow official updates only through travel.state.gov.
On November 5, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced a delay in launching the Diversity Visa (DV) Program registration for the DV-2027 cycle, traditionally known as the Green Card Lottery. The Department confirmed that it is implementing “certain changes” to the entry process, pushing the opening of the application window beyond its customary early October start.
While the Department did not specify the exact nature of these changes, it assured the public that the new registration start date will be announced “as soon as practicable,” along with the date when selection results will become available through the official Entrant Status Check (ESC) portal. “The Department is implementing certain changes to the Diversity Visa (DV) entry process. We will announce the start date for the DV-2027 registration period as soon as practicable, as well as the date that DV-2027 selection results may become available through the Entry Status Check (ESC),” the statement reads.
Despite the procedural adjustments and delayed timeline, officials confirmed that the critical visa application period for selected entrants remains unchanged. Winners of the DV-2027 lottery will still have a one-year window—from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027—to apply for their immigrant visas.
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery generally opens in early October. However, this year’s launch has already been delayed by over two months, fueling uncertainty among millions of potential applicants worldwide. The delay has sparked speculation about the reasons and timeline for the DV-2027 entry period.
For comparison, the DV-2026 program accepted entries from October 2 to November 7, 2024; DV-2025 ran from October 4 to November 7, 2023; and DV-2024 was open from October 5 to November 8, 2022.
Delays in the program are not unprecedented. In 2017, a technical glitch forced the Department to reset the DV-2019 registration period after entries submitted between October 3 and October 10 were lost. A new application window opened on October 18 of that year.
In mid-October, the Bureau of Consular Affairs reiterated that “dates for the DV‑2027 program registration period will be widely publicized in the coming months.” The same statement appeared in the November Visa Bulletin, leaving observers uncertain whether it points to an imminent announcement or simply repeats standard language from previous editions.
A major confirmed update is the new $1 electronic registration fee, which must be paid at the time of entry. The final rule establishing this fee was published in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025, and took immediate effect. The Department said the fee ensures fair cost distribution for managing the random selection process and aims to curb speculative or fraudulent entries.
Previously, operational costs were covered by the $330 Diversity Visa application fee, payable only by selected entrants. Under the new policy, the $1 registration fee spreads costs more evenly among all participants. The Department estimates the new fee will generate roughly $25 million annually. While the $330 application fee remains unchanged, officials stated that the fee structure may be reviewed in the future.
Some immigration attorneys suggest the delay may be related to the global rollout of the new electronic payment system. “Rolling out an electronic payment platform across all qualifying regions could be the technical reason for this prolonged wait,” said Keshab Seadie, a New York–based immigration lawyer.
A passport will not be required for DV‑2027 registration. Although the Trump administration proposed a rule in August 2025 mandating passports for all DV applicants, officials say it is unlikely to take effect in time for this cycle due to administrative and legal timelines.
That proposal follows a 2019 interim rule—introduced by the same administration—which was struck down by U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly for procedural violations. The Department formally rescinded the requirement in 2022 but is now reconsidering its reimplementation under proper rulemaking procedures. The new proposal, published on August 5, 2025, remains under public review. If adopted in the future, applicants would need to provide passport details and upload a digital copy of their biographical and signature pages.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
