The US Department of State (DOS) announced today that from 16 October 2025, everyone who registers for the Diversity Visa lottery (DV Lottery, or the “Green Card lottery”) will have to pay an electronic registration fee of USD 1.

This is the first time entrants will have to pay to enter the annual draw. The State Department said the aim is to distribute the costs of administering the DV lottery more fairly among all entrants, rather than placing the financial burden solely on the small number of winners who get the chance to apply for a visa. The new policy takes effect just weeks before registration for the DV-2027 lottery, which usually opens in early October (exact dates announced by DOS).

Key details of the new fee

  • USD 1 registration fee: all entrants must pay USD 1 when submitting their electronic entry on the official US government website, at the time of registration and through the official portal.
  • Application fee unchanged: the USD 330 application fee for selected winners has not changed; however, part of the administrative costs previously covered by it will now be met from the registration fee.
  • Non-refundable: the registration fee will not be refunded under any circumstances, whether or not the entrant is selected, and cannot be carried over to later years.

Why the fee was introduced

The DV lottery grants up to 55,000 immigrant visas a year to applicants from countries with low rates of immigration to the US. In recent years it has received tens of millions of entries annually, creating significant administrative costs. According to DOS, the new fee means some 25 million entrants a year will share the programme’s costs, rather than only the 55,000 final winners.

The change is expected to generate about USD 25 million a year in new revenue to cover operating costs (such as system upgrades, better data collection and security checks). The State Department also stressed that the fee could help reduce fraud by discouraging profiteers and intermediaries from submitting multiple fake entries.

Implications for entrants

Impact on the US immigration system: the change is part of a broader trend of raising or introducing fees for US immigration services, shifting more of the financial burden onto applicants and reducing the government’s share, in line with the Trump administration’s policy of tighter oversight of immigration. The State Department expects demand for the DV lottery to fall slightly, which, while reducing the administrative burden of processing millions of entries, could increase entrants’ chances of winning.

Barriers to entry: for millions worldwide, the policy creates a new — if small — financial barrier. For many the fee is trivial, but for applicants from countries with limited resources or economic difficulties it can be challenging. Limited access to electronic payment systems or currency conversion fees may also prevent some from taking part. Since the DV programme aims to promote diversity in immigration, even a small fee may discourage applicants from under-represented regions. Compared with other immigration costs, however, this barrier is relatively small.

Tips for entrants

  • Be ready to pay: make sure you have access to electronic payment methods accepted by the US government portal and ask your bank about possible international transaction fees.
  • Use official channels only: register only on the official US government website. Beware of intermediary and scam websites that may exploit the new payment requirement to charge extra fees.
  • Registration timing: exact dates will be announced in the Federal Register and other official channels; the period usually lasts about a month.
  • Documents: the process remains electronic and relatively simple, but prepare all personal information and the required digital photo in advance to avoid delays.