DV-2027 Diversity Visa Lottery: New Mandatory Passport Requirement, $1 Fee & Major Changes – Full Official Guide (Effective April 2026)
- Editorial Team
- 11 hours ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
The U.S. Department of State has just published a landmark final rule that will reshape the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program), commonly known as the Green Card Lottery. Published on March 11, 2026, and effective April 10, 2026, these updates are designed to strengthen vetting, drastically reduce fraud, and modernize the application process.
The biggest change? Every registrant for DV-2027 must now submit valid, unexpired passport information and upload a clear JPEG scan of the biographic and signature pages — or indicate an exemption. Additional updates replace “gender” with “sex” and “age” with “date of birth,” plus a new $1 registration fee.
Registration for DV-2027 has been officially delayed (no start date announced yet), giving eligible applicants time to prepare. Read this complete, up-to-date guide to understand exactly what’s changing and how to stay compliant.
Background: What Is the U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Program?
The DV Program offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually to people from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. It’s a completely random lottery — no job offer, family sponsor, or investment required.
Entrants submit one free (until now) electronic entry per fiscal year via dvprogram.state.gov. Winners (selectees) can apply for a green card for themselves, spouse, and unmarried children under 21.
For DV-2027 (fiscal year October 2026–September 2027), the entry process is getting its biggest security overhaul in years.
Official Rulemaking: Bolstering Security Clearances and Fraud Prevention
The rule titled “Visas: Enhancing Vetting and Combatting Fraud in the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program” (Federal Register, March 11, 2026) directly addresses massive fraud problems. In recent years, millions of fraudulent entries were submitted by third-party “agents” and criminal networks — often without the applicant’s knowledge.
The Department of State estimates 2.5 million fraudulent entries were disqualified in DV-2025 alone. The new passport requirement will make identity verification faster and more reliable from day one.
Key goals of the rule:
Prevent duplicate and fake entries
Enable early identity and eligibility screening
Reduce scams that charge desperate applicants thousands of dollars
Align with national security priorities
Major Changes Coming to DV-2027
1. Mandatory Passport Requirement (The Biggest Update)
All registrants must:
Enter the following passport details: Full name, document number, issuing country or authority, and expiry date.
Upload a JPEG scan (JFIF format only, max 5 MB) of the biographic page (photo page) and signature page
Important rules for the scan:
Color image, clear and legible
No PDFs allowed
File size strictly under 5 MB
Must be from a valid, unexpired passport at the time of entry
Entries without passport information (or proper exemption) will be automatically disqualified.
2. New $1 Electronic Registration Fee
A $1 fee per entry is now required (payable via Pay.gov). No waivers. This was finalized in a related September 2025 rule and will apply starting DV-2027.
3. Terminology Updates for Accuracy
“Gender” → “Sex” (must reflect sex at birth; only male or female options)
“Age” → “Date of birth”
These changes appear throughout the DS-5501 entry form and instructions to match official government data standards.
DV-2027 Registration Period: Officially Delayed
The U.S. Department of State announced on November 5, 2025, that the DV-2027 registration period is delayed.
No start date has been confirmed yet. The Department will announce the opening (and result check date) “as soon as practicable” on travel.state.gov.
Good news: The visa application window for winners remains unchanged — October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.
The delay was specifically implemented to give people time to obtain passports before the new rule takes effect.
Who Is Exempt from the Passport Requirement?
Most applicants must comply, but limited exemptions exist:
Stateless persons
Citizens of states under communist rule who are denied the issuance of a passport
Individuals granted a case-by-case waiver by the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security
Exempt applicants must indicate the exemption on the form and may need to provide supporting evidence later in the process. Alternative IDs (like national ID cards) are not accepted.
Why These Changes Matter: Curbing Fraud & Preserving Program Integrity
Fraud has exploded in recent years. Criminal groups in countries like Bangladesh and Ukraine have submitted hundreds of thousands of fake entries from single IP addresses, charging victims up to $15,000.
The passport requirement:
Ties each entry to a unique, verifiable identity
Stops third-party fraud rings
Makes duplicate entries much easier to detect
Allows faster security screening
Previous passport requirements (DV-2021 to DV-2023) dramatically reduced fraud — and this permanent rule builds on that success.
How to Prepare for DV-2027 – Step-by-Step Checklist
Get a valid passport now (or start the process if you don’t have one)
Scan the biographic + signature pages in JPEG format (<5 MB)
Note your passport number, issuance country, and expiration date
Budget for the $1 fee (and passport cost if needed)
Watch travel.state.gov and dvprogram.state.gov daily for the official registration opening announcement
Never use agents or paid services — the official site is always free to enter (plus the $1 fee)
Prepare a recent photo meeting strict DV specifications
Pro tip: Keep a digital copy of the exact passport scan you upload. You may need it during visa processing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When will DV-2027 registration open?
No date yet. The Department will announce it soon — check travel.state.gov regularly.
Do I need a passport just to enter the lottery?
Yes (unless exempt). Entries without it will be disqualified after April 10, 2026.
What if my passport expires soon?
It must be valid and unexpired at the time you submit your entry.
Is there any fee besides the $1?
No. The lottery entry itself remains free except for the new $1 processing fee.
Will these changes reduce my chances of winning?
No. The total number of visas stays at ~55,000, and serious applicants already need passports later in the process anyway.
Can I enter without a passport if I’m from a developing country?
Only if you qualify for one of the narrow exemptions.
Final Thoughts: Act Now for DV-2027 Success
The DV-2027 Diversity Visa Lottery is about to become more secure, transparent, and fraud-resistant than ever. While the new passport requirement and $1 fee add a small step, they protect the integrity of the program for genuine applicants worldwide.
Start preparing today — get your passport ready, practice your scan, and stay alert for the official registration announcement.
For the latest official updates, always visit:
travel.state.gov (DV news section)
Need more USA visa news, guides, and alerts? Explore our complete collection here: USA Visa Updates & Guides
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Your American dream through the Diversity Visa Program just got a major security upgrade — make sure you’re ready when DV-2027 opens!
Last updated: March 2026 | All information sourced directly from the U.S. Department of State Federal Register final rule and official announcements.