DV-2027 diversity visa lottery: court-ordered dates and what entrants should know

Key takeaways

• A federal court ordered the State Department to move forward with the FY 2027 Diversity Visa (DV) program on a revised schedule.
• Registration details are due by October 29, 2026; registration must open by November 1, 2026 and stay open 30 days.
• Selected entrants must be notified by December 3, 2026.
• New for DV-2027: a $1 electronic registration fee and valid passport information, including a scan of the biographic and signature pages.
• The government has appealed, so dates could still change — wait for official State Department instructions.

What happened

The Diversity Visa lottery may be opening soon. After a long delay, a federal court ordered the U.S. Department of State to move forward with the FY 2027 DV program and approved a revised schedule. The government has appealed and is still seeking to pause the order, but for now the court-ordered dates remain in place.

Court-ordered DV-2027 dates

These are court deadlines, not confirmation that registration is already open. The State Department's announcement is expected to give the exact opening and closing dates, the entry website, and the DV-2027 participation rules.

• October 29, 2026 — by midnight Eastern Time, the State Department must publish registration details and participation requirements.
• November 1, 2026 — registration must open by midnight Eastern Time and remain open for 30 days.
• December 3, 2026 — by midnight Eastern Time, the State Department must notify selected entrants.
• September 30, 2027 — the FY 2027 visa year ends. Selection does not guarantee a visa by this deadline.

Who may qualify for the Diversity Visa program

The DV program makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available each year to natives of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. The list of eligible countries can change each year.

The principal applicant must have either a qualifying high school education (or its equivalent) or two years of qualifying work experience within the past five years. Meeting the entry requirements and being selected are separate steps: selection only gives a person the opportunity to apply for a green card — it does not guarantee one.

New entry requirements for DV-2027

Under the State Department's rules, entrants generally must pay a $1 electronic registration fee and provide information from a valid, unexpired passport, including a scan of its biographic and signature pages. Limited exceptions apply. The official DV-2027 instructions will explain how these requirements work and what documentation is needed.

The schedule could still change

The government has appealed the injunction and asked the district judge to pause it. The judge denied that stay request on October 21, 2026. As of October 22, no stay is in place, so the court's schedule remains active. The government may ask the Ninth Circuit to intervene, which could affect the dates.

How to prepare now

• Check that your passport is valid and unexpired.
• Confirm the official eligibility rules and country list when they are released.
• Gather accurate information and photos for yourself and any spouse or children who must be listed.
• Submit only through the official State Department process during the announced registration period, and keep your confirmation number.
• Be wary of anyone promising selection — no one can guarantee it.

How Weiss & Moy can help

Weiss & Moy, P.C. is following the DV-2027 updates and is ready to help prospective applicants understand the rules, prepare for the entry period, and evaluate next steps if selected.

This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. DV-2027 rules and court deadlines may change; verify current instructions with the U.S. Department of State before taking action.