An expert told Newsweek that the 2027 green card lottery has been delayed, potentially due to the Department of State modifying the entry process.
Morgan Bailey, a partner at Mayer Brown and a former senior official at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), said the delay, combined with regulatory updates, suggests the State Department is modifying the registration process.
The State Department said in a November 5 bulletin that the start date will be announced “as soon as practicable.”
Why It Matters
The Diversity Visa (DV) program, commonly known as the green card lottery, offers thousands of individuals from countries with historically low U.S. immigration rates a chance to obtain permanent residency. Changes to the DV-2027 entry process could affect how and when applicants register, potentially impacting eligibility or access. Understanding the updated entry rules is critical for prospective applicants seeking one of the limited green cards available through a highly competitive program.
What To Know
The State Department stated that it is implementing modifications to the DV entry process for 2027, but has not yet released details about the changes.
Department officials stated on social media that the registration period for DV-2027 is not currently open, warning the public about fraudulent claims and services that falsely assert registration is available or that selection chances can be increased.
The visa application period for those selected will remain unchanged, running from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program was established by Congress in 1990 and signed into law by former President George H.W. Bush. It is limited to 55,000 visas annually. Applicants must meet statutory eligibility requirements, including a high school education or two years of qualifying work experience, among other criteria.
The program operates under a defined statutory framework that sets regional allocations, country limits, and the total visa cap.
The DV Program’s 2026 cycle excluded applicants from the following countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland and Hong Kong), Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela and Vietnam.
On August 5, 2025, the State Department proposed a rule to enhance vetting and combat fraud in the Diversity Visa process. The proposal requires applicants to submit valid, unexpired passport information and scans of the biographic pages, unless exempt. It also introduces a $1 electronic registration fee as a cost-recovery measure and updates terminology in regulations for clarity, replacing “gender” with “sex” and “age” with “date of birth.”
What People Are Saying
Morgan Bailey, a partner at Mayer Brown and former senior DHS official, told Newsweek: “The delay in the registration window, combined with the regulatory changes, suggests that the Department of State is modifying the entry process for the DV‑2027 cycle.”
The U.S. State Department wrote in a social media post: The Diversity Visa (DV) 2027 entry registration period is not open at this time. We are aware of reports of fraudulent claims that DV-2027 entry is open and of individuals and services falsely claiming they can increase your chances of selection. This is not true. DV-2027 registration dates and details about changes to this year’s process will be announced by the Department of State when available.”
What Happens Next
Applicants are advised to monitor the official State Department website for updates regarding registration dates and instructions. The DV Program is highly competitive, and only those selected through the lottery are eligible to apply for a visa.
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