The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced a major policy change for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, also known as the Green Card Lottery.

Starting October 16, all individuals registering for the DV-2027 program and future lotteries will be required to pay a $1 electronic registration fee. This is the first time in the lottery’s history that applicants will be charged simply to enter.

Until now, registration was completely free, with only selected entrants paying fees during the visa application stage.

According to DOS, the new policy seeks to share the administrative costs more fairly across all registrants rather than placing the financial burden solely on those selected to continue with visa applications.

The DV-2027 lottery is scheduled to open for registration in early October 2025, with the window expected to run for about one month. The U.S. Department of State will confirm the exact dates through the Federal Register and its official website.

It’s important for applicants to submit their entries within the designated period, as late submissions will not be considered, and multiple entries will result in automatic disqualification.

If you plan to register for the DV-2027 Green Card lottery, here are key things to keep in mind:

Make sure you have access to electronic payment methods accepted by the U.S. government.

Submit your application exclusively through the official DV lottery site. With the introduction of a fee, scammers may try to exploit applicants through fake websites or inflated charges.

Be ready to apply as soon as the registration period opens. The application window usually lasts about 30 days, and late entries are not considered.

Gather all required personal information and ensure your digital passport-style photos meet U.S. visa specifications before starting the application.

The $1 fee is only for registration. If you are selected, you will still need to pay the $330 immigrant visa application fee, along with medical examination and supporting document costs.

The new fee is a shift in how the DV lottery is managed. However, the policy also raises concerns about accessibility in regions where digital payments are difficult.

For most applicants, the $1 fee will be minor, but staying alert to scams and preparing for the official process will be more important than ever.