in effect
This is a final rule from the U.S. State Department amending the regulations for the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (the “green card lottery”). It directs how people enter the lottery, requiring passport information up front, and updates certain wording in the rules. It takes effect April 10, 2026, and applies starting with the DV-2027 program.
People entering the lottery must now provide valid, unexpired passport information and upload a scan of the passport’s biographic and signature page when they submit the electronic entry form, unless they qualify for a limited exemption (for example, stateless individuals). Previously, entrants only self-reported personal details and did not need a passport until after being selected. The rule also makes wording changes: adding the word “shall” to instructions for consular officers, using “sex” instead of “gender,” and replacing “age” with “date of birth.” Separately noted in the document, a $1 entry fee now applies to all entrants with no waivers, and the Department estimates the new steps add about 60 minutes to each entry (roughly 90 minutes total). The Department projects about 10 million entries for DV-2027 and an added global cost of about $45.6 million.
Anyone worldwide who enters the Diversity Visa lottery is affected, since they must now obtain and submit a passport before entering rather than after selection. The State Department and its consular officers are affected because they can verify identity and eligibility earlier in the process. The Department states this may reduce entries from people who do not already hold a passport, but expects enough entries to still fill all available visas, including in each geographic region.