The new requirements for registration in the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery
DV Lottery 2026: New Requirements for U.S. Green Card Registration
In a significant move aimed at improving cost distribution fairness and registration quality, the U.S. Department of State has announced a new adjustment to the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, implementing a $1 registration fee for participation in the Diversity Visa Lottery program, effective September 16, 2025.
DV Lottery 2026: The Change from Free Registration to a Tiered Fee Structure
Since its inception, registration for the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery has been completely free, with operational costs embedded within the $330 visa application fee paid only by winners. Under the new system, all participants will pay $1 upon registration, while the application fee remains $330 for successful selectees.
Fee Comparison Table
| Fee Type | Previous System | New System (From September 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Lottery Registration Fee | Free | $1 |
| Visa Application Fee (Winners Only) | $330 | $330 |
| Total Cost for Winner | $330 | $331 |
Rationale Behind the Change
1. Fair Cost Distribution
The Department of State aims to distribute the operational burden of the lottery across all participants rather than charging only the small percentage of successful registrants. This approach aligns with the “user pays” principle applied to U.S. government services.
2. Improved Registration Quality
The implementation of a registration fee, even if nominal, is expected to reduce fraudulent and specious registrations conducted by individuals or organizations seeking to exploit unsuspecting potential entrants. It will also ensure participant seriousness in the program.
3. Operational Cost Coverage
Operational costs include annual review and update of systems required to collect lottery form submissions, data storage, automated randomized selection of lottery winners, and associated security reviews.
Legal Authority for the Change
The Department of State bases this decision on several federal statutes:
Public Law 104-208: Authorizes the Secretary of State to collect and retain “Diversity Immigrant Lottery Fees” to recover costs of visa allocation and application processing.
General User Charges Statute (31 U.S.C. 9701): Grants government agencies authority to impose fees on their services based on actual costs.
Consular Services Act (22 U.S.C. 4219): Gives the President, delegated to the Secretary of State, authority to set consular service fees.
Read also: The new conditions for booking a US visa 2026
Implementation Details
Effective Date
The new system takes effect on September 16, 2025, and will apply to the Diversity Visa Lottery 2027 (DV-2027), with registration expected to begin in October 2025.
Payment Method
The $1 registration fee will be collected through an authorized U.S. Government payment portal at the time of registration, prior to submission and completion of the registration process. This fee is non-refundable.
Application Fees
The $330 visa application fee remains unchanged and is paid only by lottery winners when submitting their official applications for immigrant visas.
Expected Impact
On Participants
The registration fee is expected to cause a slight decrease in participant numbers, primarily eliminating non-serious or fraudulent registrations. Genuine participants will likely be unaffected by this nominal fee.
On Program Administration
The new fee structure will help improve program administration efficiency by providing stable funding for operational costs, potentially leading to system and service improvements.
Importance of the Diversity Visa Program
The U.S. Diversity Visa Program represents one of the most important pathways for individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the United States to obtain permanent residence. The program annually provides approximately 55,000 immigrant visas distributed across various continents.
Eligible Countries
Eligible countries include most African and Middle Eastern nations, along with some European and Asian countries, excluding those that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the past five years.
Tips for Applicants
Registration Preparation
With the new registration season approaching, interested individuals should:
- Carefully review eligibility criteria
- Prepare photographs according to specified standards
- Arrange valid payment method for registration fee
- Register only through the official website to avoid fraud
Avoiding Intermediaries
The U.S. Department of State warns against using intermediaries or companies claiming to increase winning chances for additional fees. Direct registration through the official website is the only accepted and safe method.
Contact Information
For inquiries about the new changes or the Diversity Visa Program in general:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 771-204-4677
- Official Website: regulations.gov (Search for document number: DOS-2025-0302)
Regulatory Exemption
The Department asserts the “foreign affairs function” exemption to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), consistent with the Attorney General’s opinion that the exemption applies to most State Department functions. The administration of the Diversity Visa program constitutes a foreign affairs function of the United States, as visas are issued to foreign citizens in foreign countries.
Cost Recovery Principle
This fee adjustment aligns with OMB Circular A-25, which states that each recipient should pay a reasonable user charge for government services from which they derive special benefit, at an amount sufficient for the U.S. government to recover full costs of providing the service.
Future Considerations
The Department periodically reviews consular fees, including through annual updates to its Cost of Service Model, to determine fee appropriateness consistent with OMB guidance. The DV application fee will be reviewed in the next model update and adjusted if necessary.
Conclusion
The implementation of a $1 registration fee for the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery represents a logical development aimed at improving system fairness and participation quality. While this change may appear minor, it reflects the State Department’s commitment to continuously developing and improving immigration programs.
Those interested in participating in the DV-2027 lottery are encouraged to monitor official announcements that will be released soon regarding registration dates and complete details of the new process. Early preparation and registration through official channels will ensure a smooth and secure experience for participants.
The new fee structure represents a more equitable approach to program administration while maintaining the accessibility and integrity that have made the Diversity Visa Program a vital pathway for legal immigration to the United States. As the program evolves, participants can expect continued improvements in efficiency and security.
