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What’s happening with the Diversity Visa Lottery?

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The latest announcement from U.S. Department of State has sent ripples through immigration communities: the opening of registration for the Diversity Visa Lottery (DV‑2027) has been delayed, and changes to the entry process are on the horizon.

What’s happening?

  • Traditionally, the DV-Lottery registration period opens in early October. This year, the Department confirmed a delay and said it will announce new dates later.
  • With the delay comes up-front changes: the Department published a final rule on September 16, 2025, introducing a $1 electronic registration fee for DV applicants. That fee takes effect immediately.
  • While the Department hasn’t explicitly tied the delay to the fee or other factors (such as a government shutdown), they did highlight that the fee is designed to “reduce speculative registrations” and allocate costs more fairly.
  • The Lottery remains statutorily required (up to 55,000 visas annually for countries with low immigration rates to the U.S.)

For many aspiring immigrants, the DV-Lottery is a once in a lifetime opportunity for obtaining U.S. lawful permanent residence. The delay creates continued obstacles signaling that the Trump administration is doing everything in its power to reduce legal immigration into the United States.

What to do now

If you’re planning to apply for DV-2027, monitor the official registration site (the State Department’s travel.state.gov) for updates regarding registration.

While the DV-2027 delay and new registration fee may seem like small adjustments, they hint at broader efforts to modernize and tighten U.S. immigration systems. For millions hoping to participate in the Diversity Visa program, staying alert to updates and preparing early will be key to navigating these evolving requirements.

The Law Offices of Jacob Sapochnick will post further updates as soon as they become available.

Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-483-4549 or call 619-819-9204.

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