U.S. Introduces $1 Registration Fee for 2027 Diversity Visa Lottery. The United States has officially introduced a new $1 registration fee for the 2027 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, marking the first major procedural change to the Green Card Lottery in years. The fee aims to strengthen security, reduce fraud, and ensure a smoother application experience for millions of applicants worldwide.
This article explains what the $1 DV Lottery fee means, why it is being implemented, how it affects applicants, and how to correctly register for the DV-2027 program.
U.S. Introduces $1 Registration Fee for the DV Lottery
The Diversity Visa Lottery, commonly called the Green Card Lottery, provides up to 55,000 U.S. immigrant visas each year to individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the United States.
For the first time ever, the U.S. Department of State has implemented a non-refundable $1 registration fee, effective October 16, 2025. This change applies to all applicants registering for the DV-2027 Lottery.
The DV Lottery itself remains free to enter, but the new $1 charge is now mandatory at the registration stage.
What’s New? A $1 Registration Fee for DV Lottery Applicants
Starting October 16, 2025:
- All Diversity Visa applicants must pay a $1 non-refundable registration fee.
- Payment is completed online through the official U.S. government website and its authorized payment portal.
- This does not replace the $330 visa fee, which applies only to selected applicants who proceed to consular processing.
The U.S. government confirms that this fee is part of broader efforts to improve security, application integrity, and system performance ahead of the 2027 program.
Why Is the $1 Fee Being Introduced?
According to the U.S. Department of State, the small fee serves three major purposes:
1. Reducing Fraud
Millions of fake or duplicate applications are submitted annually, often by agents charging high fees.
The $1 payment helps ensure genuine entries only, as each application must be submitted with valid payment details.
2. Supporting System Upgrades
More than 25 million entries are submitted each year.
The estimated $25 million revenue will be used to:
- improve website performance
- enhance system capacity
- strengthen cybersecurity
- upgrade data processing
3. Increasing Application Security
The fee helps fund better identity verification, fraud detection, and data protection systems, making the DV Lottery safer and more equitable.
How This Fee Might Affect Applicants
Although $1 is a very small amount, it may still affect applicants from countries with low incomes or limited digital banking access.
Possible impacts include:
- Slight reduction in the total number of entries
- Fewer fraudulent or third-party-controlled submissions
- Increased fairness for genuine applicants
The U.S. believes that the benefits—especially fraud reduction—far outweigh any drawbacks.
How to Register for the 2027 DV Lottery
If you plan to apply for the DV-2027 Lottery, follow these steps carefully:
1. Visit the Official DV Lottery Website
Only use the U.S. government’s official site.
Avoid all third-party or paid agents claiming guaranteed selection.
2. Pay the $1 Registration Fee
You will be directed to a secure payment portal during the registration process.
3. Prepare Required Documents
Have the following ready:
- Valid passport
- Recent digital passport-size photo
- Personal and family details
- Correct email address
4. Enter Accurate Information
Errors such as incorrect name, wrong photo format, or false information can lead to immediate disqualification.
5. Keep Your Confirmation Number Safe
This number is required to check your result in May 2026.
Preventing Fraud: Why the Fee Matters
Fraud remains one of the major challenges of the DV Lottery system. In many countries:
- Agents submit applications without permission
- They demand large payments for free services
- Fake entries are created using stolen identities
The $1 fee ensures:
- Each applicant registers themselves
- Fraudulent bulk submissions decrease
- Genuine users have a fairer chance
This change is designed to protect applicants and increase transparency.
Key Reminders for DV-2027 Applicants
Before registering, keep these points in mind:
- The $1 registration fee is non-refundable
- It applies to every applicant, every year
- It does not replace the visa interview fee
- DV-2027 registration opens later in 2025
- Only use the official U.S. government website
- Avoid scams, agents, and fake DV websites
- Double-check all information before submitting
Final Thoughts
The introduction of the $1 DV Lottery registration fee marks an important step toward improving security, fairness, and integrity within the Diversity Visa Program. Although the fee is minimal, it plays a critical role in reducing fraud and ensuring that genuine applicants have a real chance of selection.
