Federal Judge Orders Reopening of 2027 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration By November 1st

A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of State to reopen registration for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery, following delays and suspension of the program.

On October 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California issued a preliminary injunction requiring the State Department to resume the DV-2027 program and establish a new registration timeline.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Under the court’s order, the State Department must:

October 29, 2026: Publicly announce the registration dates, official application website, and eligibility requirements.
November 1, 2026: Open DV-2027 lottery registration for a period of 30 days.
December 3, 2026: Notify individuals selected through the lottery.
September 30, 2027: Continue processing eligible DV-2027 immigrant visa applications until this date or until the annual visa allocation is exhausted, whichever occurs first.

Why Was the Lottery Suspended?

The State Department initially announced changes to the DV-2027 registration process in November 2025. The program was subsequently paused in December 2025, resulting in legal challenges seeking to restore lottery registration.

The federal court’s preliminary injunction requires the government to move forward with the program while litigation continues.

What Are the New Registration Requirements?

Prospective applicants should prepare for two recently introduced requirements:

$1 Registration Fee: Applicants are expected to pay a new fee when submitting their lottery entry.
Valid Passport: Applicants are expected to provide valid passport information as part of the registration process.

The State Department is expected to clarify all applicable requirements in its official announcement.

What Happens Next?

Although the court has ordered the State Department to resume the program, the government may appeal the ruling or request that the injunction be temporarily suspended.

As of October 18, 2026, DV-2027 registration has not officially opened. Prospective applicants should monitor State Department announcements, prepare the necessary documentation, and submit entries only through the official government registration website once registration begins.

Selection in the Diversity Visa Lottery does not guarantee issuance of a green card. Selected applicants must still satisfy applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements and complete the immigrant visa process or adjustment of status if eligible.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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