The U.S. Department of State has introduced a new $1 electronic registration fee for all entrants to the DV-2027 Diversity Visa (Green Card) lottery marking the first time the program has required payment at the initial registration stage.
The final rule approving the fee took effect on September 16, 2025, and applies to the DV-2027 lottery cycle, expected to open for registration in fall 2025.
Key Details About the New Fee:
- Payment Method: Applicants must pay the $1 fee electronically at the time of submitting their entry through the official government website, typically accessed via dvprogram.state.gov.
- Non-refundable: The fee will not be refunded under any circumstances, including disqualification, cancellation, or non-selection.
- Additional Cost: This charge is separate from the existing $330 Diversity Visa application fee, which is only paid by those selected and moving forward in the visa process.
- Purpose: The fee is intended to distribute the administrative costs of running the lottery more evenly across all participants. It is also designed to deter fraudulent entries, including automated or mass submissions.
Prospective applicants are advised to follow updates on travel.state.gov to confirm the official DV-2027 registration dates and to ensure they use the correct, secure portal for both entry and fee payment.
