The U.S. Department of State has suspended open enrollment for the Diversity Visa Lottery (DV-2027). This decision was announced in November 2025 and affects thousands of people who were hoping to participate in the program.
The suspension is due to the implementation of new requirements, including the introduction of a mandatory electronic fee per application. In addition, forms are being updated to modernize the process.
New requirements and mandatory fee
For the first time, the registration process will require an electronic payment of one dollar (USD 1) per application.
This change is intended to cover administrative costs and reduce fraudulent registrations.
Payment can only be made through the official platform of the Department of State.
Therefore, no other way will be valid for registration. In this way, a more secure and transparent process is sought.
Eligible countries and exclusions
The DV program grants up to 55,000 visas annually to individuals from countries with low immigration representation in the United States.
For the 2027 edition, the list of eligible countries remains similar to previous years.
However, it is essential that interested parties verify whether their nation is officially listed.
Countries with high immigration rates are excluded from the program, limiting options for some applicants.
Recommendations for interested parties
Given the delay and changes, potential applicants are advised to follow only official U.S. Government announcements.
They must also prepare for electronic payment and collect documentation according to the new formats.
In addition, avoid fraudulent offers that promise fast and secure access in exchange for money.
Prospects and future of the Visa Lottery 2027
Although the opening date of the DV-2027 process has not yet been confirmed, the authorities assure that the program has not been cancelled.
However, some sectors discuss the possibility of modifying or eliminating the Lottery in future years.
For now, the changes will strengthen the security of the process and seek to ensure that applications are legitimate.
This article was originally published in Nueva News.
