📢 Official Decision: Imposition of a $1 Registration Fee on the American Immigration Lottery Starting October 16, 2025 — Everything You Need to Know
The U.S. State Department announced through the Federal Register on September 16, 2025, an official decision imposing a new registration fee of 1 US dollar on all those wishing to participate in the Diversity Visa Program (DV Lottery).
The decision clearly states that:
- The fee will be mandatory and paid through an official, approved government electronic gateway at the same time as submitting the participation application.
- Registration cannot be completed, nor can a confirmation number be obtained, until this fee is paid.
- The new rule takes effect 30 days after the publication date, meaning approximately as of October 16, 2025.
🎯 Why This Decision?
The Department clarified that the purpose of imposing this simple fee ($1) is to:
- Combat random and fake registrations: In previous years, millions of fake or duplicate applications were registered, complicating the selection process and harming genuine applicants.
- Address the phenomenon of brokers: Many brokers were registering people without their knowledge, then demanding large sums of money from them if selected, by monopolizing the confirmation number.
- Share the cost of the program: Given the increasing burden of operating the DV program, this symbolic fee will help support administrative expenses without overburdening applicants.
📅 What Does This Mean Practically for the DV-2027 Season?
- Registration will not begin before October 16, 2025, because the new system is tied to the implementation of the fee rule.
- Any attempt to register before this date through unofficial websites is considered fraud.
- The registration window will be managed so that no form can be submitted without paying the $1.
- Payment will only be made through the official gateway: dvprogram.state.gov.
🛂 Will a Passport Be Required?
In 2022, the requirement to submit a passport at registration was cancelled after having been mandatory for a short period. But on August 5, 2025, the State Department published another notice in the Federal Register proposing to reinstate the requirement to submit passport data and image to enhance verification and combat fraud.
As of now:
- This amendment has not come into effect.
- It may be adopted in future seasons, but for DV-2027, the only confirmed requirement at this time is the fee.
⚠️ Recommendations for Applicants
- Make sure your email is valid: The confirmation number and winning notification will be sent to it.
- Obtain or renew your passport: Although not officially required now, it is mandatory if you win, for the consular stage.
- Do not rely on brokers: Registration is done personally through the official website for only $1.
- Beware of fake websites: Any website asking for more than $1 or promising guaranteed selection is a fraudulent website.
✅ Conclusion
The American immigration lottery program is undergoing significant regulatory changes this year: the $1 fee became mandatory starting October 16, 2025, meaning any registration will not be valid unless this fee is paid through the official website. As for the passport requirement, it is still under study and has not yet been implemented.
So, if you're planning to register for the DV-2027 season:
- Wait until the official gateway opens after mid-October.
- Prepare your email, personal photos, and passport (even if not requested at registration).
- Follow official updates through: dvprogram.state.gov.
🔗 Official sources:
- Federal Register – Rule on DV Program Fees (16 Sept 2025)
- Federal Register – Proposed Rule on Passport Requirement (5 Aug 2025)
- Official DV Program Website – dvprogram.state.gov
