The DV-2027 Green Card Lottery registration period has been put on hold. The State Department is working to revive the lottery, but a new entry date has not yet been announced. This means that prospective applicants cannot submit their entries at this time.
The Ninth Circuit court has stayed an order that would have opened the registration for the DV-2027 program. This stay took effect on October 29, 2026, while the government’s appeal is ongoing. Previously, a district judge had ordered the agency to begin registration on November 1, 2026, for a period of 30 days. This schedule, including a notification date of December 3, 2026, is no longer in effect.
Country Eligibility and Program Rules
The State Department has not yet released the official entry instructions or the list of eligible countries for the DV-2027 lottery. While past program rules can offer guidance, they do not determine eligibility for the current cycle. Generally, applicants must be natives of countries that have not sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the preceding five years. The list of excluded countries changes each year.
For DV-2026, countries like Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela, and Vietnam were excluded. Natives of Macau and Taiwan were eligible under that list. The program bases country eligibility on the applicant’s country of birth.
In some cases, individuals born in an excluded country may be able to claim their spouse’s or a parent’s country of birth. This is subject to specific conditions, such as both spouses entering and traveling together if claiming a spouse’s eligibility, or specific circumstances regarding parents’ residency at the time of birth if claiming a parent’s eligibility.
Education or Work Experience Requirements
To qualify for the Diversity Visa program, applicants typically need either a high school education or its equivalent, or a certain amount of qualifying work experience. This usually means completing a 12-year course of formal schooling. Alternatively, applicants can demonstrate two years of work experience within the last five years in an occupation that requires a specific level of vocational preparation. Standard GED certificates and correspondence programs may not meet the educational requirement.
Passport Requirements
A recent rule, effective April 10, 2026, requires all entrants to provide details from a valid, unexpired passport. This includes uploading a scan of the biographic and signature page. There are specific exemptions for stateless individuals, nationals of communist-controlled countries who cannot obtain a passport, and those who have received an individual waiver.
Entry, Selection, and Visa Issuance
It is important to understand that submitting an entry to the DV lottery does not guarantee a green card. Selection as a lottery participant allows an applicant to pursue a visa, but it does not ensure that the U.S. government will issue the visa or permit entry into the country. Selectees must still meet all eligibility and admissibility requirements. The State Department also sets a visa application fee, which was USD 330 for the previous cycle.
The State Department has indicated that the visa application period for the DV program runs from October 1 of one year through September 30 of the following year. However, this processing period does not establish an entry window for new applications. The court’s stay means the date for submitting initial entries remains unresolved.
How to Submit an Entry When Registration Opens
When the DV-2027 registration period officially opens, prospective applicants should rely on the official instructions provided by the State Department. It is crucial to avoid using outdated court schedules or prior-year lists. The general rules for entry include submitting only one application per person through the official website, dvprogram.state.gov, during the designated registration period.
The State Department requires electronic payment of a registration fee at the time of entry, and this fee is non-refundable. Submitting multiple entries for the same individual will disqualify all of them. Applicants must include their spouse and all unmarried children under 21, even if those family members do not plan to immigrate.
A compliant photograph is also required, which must be taken within the last six months, in color, with a plain white or off-white background, showing a full face with a neutral expression. Eyeglasses are not permitted in the photo, and the image must be a square JPEG file, 600 x 600 pixels, and no larger than 240 KB. After submitting an entry, applicants should keep their confirmation number to check their status through the Entrant Status Check system. The State Department will provide official updates on its visa news page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery registration period open?
The registration period for the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery is currently on hold. A new entry date has not yet been announced by the State Department.
Can I still apply for the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery?
No, you cannot submit an entry at this time because the registration period has been put on hold. You will need to wait for the official announcement of the new entry dates.
How is country eligibility determined for the Green Card Lottery?
Country eligibility is based on the applicant’s country of birth. Generally, you must be from a country that has not sent too many immigrants to the U.S. in the past five years, and the list of eligible countries changes each year.
What are the basic requirements to apply for the Diversity Visa program?
To apply, you typically need a high school education or its equivalent, or two years of work experience in a specific type of job within the last five years. You will also need a valid passport.
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