Last reviewed: October 21, 2026. People searching for DV Lottery registration 2027 need to know two separate things: a federal court has ordered the U.S. Department of State to move the delayed program forward, but the official entry portal was not yet accepting DV-2027 applications on the date of this review. A court deadline is not the same as an open application window. Always check the government announcement and portal before submitting personal information or paying anyone.
The Diversity Visa Program, often called the Green Card Lottery, gives eligible people from countries with comparatively low immigration to the United States an opportunity to apply for an immigrant visa. Selection is random. It does not automatically grant a visa, a Green Card, or permission to travel or work in the United States.
This guide covers the reported court schedule, passport and fee rules, eligibility, how to prepare an entry, results, and common scams. For a broader explanation of how the program works and what selection means, read our U.S. Diversity Visa Program guide. This article is general information, not legal advice or a guarantee that a person or country will qualify.
DV Lottery registration 2027: current status and court schedule
The State Department announced in November 2025 that it would change parts of the DV entry process and publish the DV-2027 registration and result-check dates later. After registration did not open on the usual schedule, a federal court considered Red Eagle Law, L.C. v. Rubio, No. 3:26-cv-04738-JO-VET. The court granted a preliminary injunction on October 14, 2026. Its written opinion says the specific terms are set out in separate orders, Docket Documents 21 and 23.
The modified schedule reported from the court’s order sets an announcement deadline of October 29, 2026, requires registration to open by November 1, 2026, and directs the government to notify selected entrants by December 3, 2026. The registration period is to remain open for 30 days. These are court-directed deadlines, not confirmation that the government has already opened the website. A later court ruling could also affect the schedule, so check for updates before acting.
As of October 21, 2026, the Department of State’s Electronic Diversity Visa portal said the previous DV-2026 entry period had ended and that entries were not being accepted. Do not treat a private website’s countdown, early-registration form, or claim to “reserve” a place as an official DV Lottery registration 2027 application. The only valid entry process is the one announced by the U.S. government.
The year in “DV-2027” refers to the fiscal year for which selected people may apply for visas; it does not mean registration must happen in calendar year 2027. The State Department’s earlier notice said the DV-2027 visa application period would run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. That visa period and the delayed registration window are separate parts of the program.
Because the schedule is unusual, avoid relying on old articles that predict a routine October-to-November registration period or repeat a past opening date as current. Recheck the government’s visa-news announcement and entry portal shortly before applying. If the official pages have not published the opening and closing dates, entry instructions, and portal availability, do not assume registration is open.
DV Lottery 2027 eligibility, passport requirement, fee, and application steps
DV Lottery 2027 eligibility is based on the annual program rules. In general, an entrant must be chargeable to an eligible country and meet the education or qualifying work-experience requirement. Chargeability usually follows the entrant’s country of birth, not current residence, citizenship, or passport. Narrow exceptions involving a spouse’s or parent’s country of birth may apply in specific circumstances. Follow the final DV-2027 instructions rather than guessing from an old country list.
Is Bangladesh eligible for DV-2027? The official DV-2027 eligible-country list had not been published as of this review date. Bangladesh was excluded in some previous program years, but an old list cannot establish eligibility for a new year. Applicants born in Bangladesh should wait for the DV-2027 instructions and check the exact chargeability rules. Do not pay a service that guarantees Bangladesh will be eligible or claims to have advance access to the final list.
The principal applicant generally must have completed a qualifying high-school education or its equivalent, or have the required work experience in an occupation that meets the program’s criteria. The work-experience test is not simply “having a job for two years”: the occupation must meet the relevant training or experience standard. Review the final DV-2027 instructions carefully if you plan to qualify through work rather than education.
New passport rule: Under a final federal rule effective April 10, 2026, entrants generally must provide information from a valid, unexpired passport and upload a scan of its biographic and signature page with the entry. The rule has limited exceptions, including certain cases where a person cannot obtain a passport or receives an individual waiver. Do not assume an expired passport, a passport application receipt, or financial hardship automatically qualifies for an exception.
New registration fee: The entry is no longer described as free. A $1 registration fee applies to each submitted entry under the current rule. This is only the entry fee; people selected who later apply for a visa may face separate government fees and other costs. Pay only through the payment method displayed in the official portal after registration opens. Do not give card details or passport scans to a third-party website just because it quotes the correct $1 amount.
The passport scan is separate from the required entry photograph. Prepare a recent digital photo for the principal entrant and for each family member who must be included. Follow the exact size, background, framing, and file requirements in the annual instructions; a photo that worked for a prior year may not satisfy current rules. Do not assume a passport photo is automatically acceptable, and do not reuse a photo from an earlier entry if the rules prohibit it.
Once the official DV Lottery 2027 application process is announced, prepare carefully:
- Verify the window and website. Use the government announcement to confirm the dates, current instructions, and official entry portal. Applications outside the stated window are not valid.
- Check chargeability and qualification. Confirm the applicable country-of-chargeability rule and whether your education or qualifying work experience meets the instructions.
- Gather accurate details. Check names, dates and places of birth, passport details, and other requested information against original documents.
- Include eligible family members. Report your spouse and all children who must be listed under the instructions, including eligible adopted and stepchildren. Each person’s details and photo must be accurate. Leaving out a required family member can cause serious problems later.
- Complete one entry for yourself. Submit only one entry for each person. Duplicate entries for the same entrant can lead to disqualification. If both spouses independently meet the entry requirements, each may submit their own entry, but each must include the other spouse and all required children correctly.
- Review, pay, submit, and save proof. Check every answer before submission, pay the official $1 fee through the authorized portal, and keep the confirmation number and a copy of the confirmation page somewhere safe.
Do not let an agent create a second entry in your name “to improve your chances.” No legitimate service can change the random selection process or guarantee selection. If you choose to get help with the form, remain in control of the information, verify what was submitted, and keep your confirmation number yourself.
DV Lottery 2027 results, selection, and scam warnings
Selection is random among valid entries. Meeting the requirements, using a correct photo, or paying someone to prepare the form does not make a person more likely to be selected. There is no legitimate shortcut, preferred agent, or paid strategy that can guarantee a result. Correct information matters because an error can create a problem even if an entrant is selected.
The court-directed schedule calls for selected entrants to be notified by December 3, 2026. Treat that as a deadline set in the litigation, not as a substitute for the State Department’s final instructions about when and how results will appear. Entrants should check status through the government’s Entrant Status Check using their own confirmation details. Do not rely on a phone call, social-media message, or email claiming that you have won and asking you to pay to release your result.
If selected, you are a selectee—not yet a visa holder. You must follow the official next steps, submit the required immigrant-visa application, provide truthful supporting documents, complete required medical and security checks, attend an interview if instructed, and remain eligible under the law. A case number and regional visa availability can affect when a case may be considered. Selection alone does not guarantee an interview, visa issuance, or a Green Card.
There is also a separate issue applicants should understand. The State Department’s August 31, 2026 guidance says it paused all Diversity Visa issuances, while allowing applicants to submit applications and attend interviews; that guidance said there were no exceptions. This concerns visa issuance, not the act of entering the lottery. The policy can change, so selected entrants should recheck official guidance before spending money or making plans.
Be cautious with websites that copy government logos, sell “guaranteed Green Cards,” promise special access to the DV Lottery 2027 official website, or ask for advance payment to confirm selection. A paid consultant cannot reserve a case number or influence the random draw. Government entry and later visa fees are different from optional private service fees. Never share your confirmation number, passport scan, or payment details with an unknown person.
Quick answers: Is DV Lottery registration 2027 open now? As of October 21, 2026, the official portal was not accepting new entries. What is the expected opening deadline? The modified court schedule reported for the case requires registration to open by November 1, but verify that no later court action has changed it. Is there an entry fee? The current rule provides for a $1 fee per entry. Does selection mean you have a Green Card? No—selection only allows you to proceed to the visa process if you remain eligible and a visa can be issued.
Use the official Electronic Diversity Visa portal for entry status and government instructions. Review the Federal Register rule on passport information and the DV entry process. For a broader explanation of the program and selection stages, see our U.S. Diversity Visa Program guide.
This guide is for general information only. It does not provide legal advice, guarantee eligibility, promise selection, or assure that a visa will be issued.
