The US Diversity Visa lottery for 2027, often called the green card lottery, is back on track after a federal court stepped in. On 14 October 2026, a judge in California ordered the State Department to run the DV-2027 registration it had not announced. Under the court-approved schedule, official details must be published by 29 October 2026 and online registration must open by 1 November 2026 for at least 30 days.
If you were waiting to enter, do nothing yet except prepare. The entry website, dates and rules will only be confirmed when the State Department publishes its official instructions.
What happened
The Diversity Visa programme normally opens for online entries every autumn, more than a year before the fiscal year it serves. For DV-2027, no registration period was announced. A California immigration law firm, Red Eagle Law, sued the Secretary of State in the US District Court for the Southern District of California (case number 3:26-cv-04738).
On 14 October 2026, US District Judge Jinsook Ohta granted a preliminary injunction requiring the department to hold the registration. The first deadlines in the order were very short. The parties then jointly asked for more time, and the court agreed to a revised schedule.
The new DV-2027 timetable
As reported by the plaintiff's counsel and by immigration law firms following the case, the revised schedule is:
- By 29 October 2026 (midnight Eastern Time): the State Department announces the registration period, the official entry website and the participation requirements.
- By 1 November 2026: online registration opens and must stay open for at least 30 days.
- By 3 December 2026: selected entrants are notified.
- After that: selectees are processed under the usual rules until the visas run out or the 2027 US fiscal year ends on 30 September 2027.
These dates come from a court order, not yet from a State Department announcement. They can still change.
Why the timetable could still move
Law firms tracking the case expect the government to appeal. If an appeals court pauses or overturns the injunction, the schedule could change with little notice. Until registration actually opens on the official site, treat every date as provisional.
The DV-2027 cycle is also unusually compressed. In a normal year, selectees have well over a year between the results and the end of the fiscal year in which visas must be issued. This time, winners notified in December 2026 will have less than ten months to complete forms, attend interviews and receive visas before 30 September 2027. By law, Diversity Visas cannot be issued after the fiscal year ends, even to selected entrants.
Who can enter the DV lottery
The full DV-2027 requirements will appear in the official instructions. Two long-standing rules in US law are worth checking now.
- Country of eligibility: you must be a native of a country that qualifies for that year's programme. Countries that sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the US in the previous five years are excluded, and the list changes from year to year. Do not assume last year's list applies.
- Education or work experience: you need at least a high school education or its equivalent, or two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.
You may also be able to claim eligibility through your spouse's country of birth, or in limited cases through a parent's. The official instructions explain when this is allowed.
Reports on the case say recent changes mean applicants should expect a valid passport requirement and a small registration fee. Wait for the official instructions to confirm what applies to DV-2027.
Travel and visa suspensions still apply
Winning the lottery does not override other US restrictions. Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since 1 January 2026, fully or partly suspends visa issuance for nationals of a list of countries, with limited exceptions. If you are a national of an affected country, check how the suspension applies to immigrant visas before you spend money on documents or medical exams.
How to prepare now
You can get ready without submitting anything.
- Check that your passport is valid, or start a renewal if it is close to expiry.
- Take a recent photo that meets the State Department's digital photo standards. Photo problems are one of the most common reasons entries are disqualified.
- Gather your school certificates or work records showing you meet the education or experience rule.
- Note the exact names, dates and places of birth for your spouse and every unmarried child under 21. They must be listed even if they will not immigrate with you.
- Bookmark the State Department's travel.state.gov visa news page and check it from 29 October.
Beware of DV lottery scams
The delay and the court case make this year's lottery a target for fraud. Remember:
- Entries are made only on the official State Department website named in the instructions.
- Each person may submit only one entry. Duplicate entries are disqualified.
- The State Department does not email or text winners. Results are checked online with your confirmation number.
- No agent can improve your chances, and anyone offering a guaranteed green card is not legitimate.
- Keep your confirmation number safe; without it you cannot check your result.
Frequently asked questions
When does the DV-2027 lottery registration open?
Under the court-approved schedule, registration must open by 1 November 2026 and stay open for at least 30 days. Confirm the exact dates in the State Department's official announcement, due by 29 October 2026.
Is the green card lottery 2027 cancelled?
No. The State Department had not announced DV-2027 registration, but a federal court has ordered it to hold the registration. The government may appeal, so watch for official updates.
When will DV-2027 results be announced?
Under the revised schedule, selected entrants must be notified by 3 December 2026. Results are checked online with your confirmation number, not by email.
Is there a fee to enter the DV lottery?
Historically, entry was free. Reports on recent changes say applicants should expect a small registration fee. Only the official DV-2027 instructions will confirm whether a fee applies.
Can I enter if my country was not eligible last year?
Eligibility is set for each programme year. Check the list in the official DV-2027 instructions rather than relying on previous years.
How long will DV-2027 winners have to get their visas?
All Diversity Visas for this programme must be issued by 30 September 2027, the end of the US fiscal year. That leaves selectees less than ten months after notification, so act quickly if selected.
This article reflects the court schedule reported as of 20 October 2026. The DV-2027 instructions, dates and eligibility rules will be set by the US State Department, and a court appeal could change the timetable. Always rely on the official State Department announcement and enter only through the official website it names.
Official sources
- US District Court, S.D. California: Order granting preliminary injunction, Red Eagle Law v. Rubio (14 October 2026)
- Fragomen: Court orders State Department to open FY 2027 Diversity Visa registration (16 October 2026)
- US Department of State: Diversity Visa Program
- US Department of State: Visa news
Sources reviewed on 20 Oct 2026. Requirements can change and depend on your nationality and circumstances. This article is general information, not a personal eligibility assessment.
