The United States Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program is expected to return with notable changes, but the DV-2027 application period has not yet opened, according to the U.S. Department of State.
Officials say the delay is linked to ongoing updates to the entry system and new measures intended to strengthen security and reduce fraud in the popular immigration program.
Traditionally, the DV lottery registration window opens between early October and early November each year.
However, authorities have indicated that the DV-2027 entry period will be announced later, after technical adjustments to the system are completed.
The Department of State has advised prospective applicants to wait for official communication before attempting to submit applications.
Among the proposed changes being discussed is the introduction of a small registration fee of about $1 per applicant.
The fee would be paid through the official U.S. government payment platform and is aimed at discouraging fraudulent or multiple entries.
The Diversity Visa program has historically been free to enter, making this proposal one of the most significant shifts in the lottery’s administration.
Authorities are also considering enhanced identity verification and stronger screening measures. These improvements are designed to limit fraudulent submissions and ensure that only legitimate applicants participate in the program.
The system upgrades are expected to modernize the application process and strengthen oversight of entries submitted from around the world.
Despite the delay in opening applications, the overall timeline of the DV-2027 program is expected to remain largely unchanged.
Individuals who are eventually selected will undergo visa processing between October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2027, the official fiscal year allocated for the DV-2027 visas.
The Diversity Visa program provides up to 50,000 immigrant visas each year to applicants from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States.
Selected applicants must still meet education or work experience requirements and complete a formal visa interview before they can receive permanent residency.
Officials have also issued a warning about online scams targeting hopeful applicants. They stress that the only legitimate platform for submitting DV entries and checking results is the official website dvprogram.state.gov.
Winners are not notified by email or phone, and applicants must check their results themselves using the confirmation number received during registration.
For now, individuals interested in the DV-2027 lottery are advised to monitor official announcements from the U.S. Department of State for the exact registration dates and final application requirements.