DV-2027 Green Card Lottery: Will It Really Open on November 1? /

Oct 20, 2026 | Immigration

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DV-2027 Green Card Lottery: Will It Really Open on November 1?

After months of silence, long-awaited news has arrived for thousands of people dreaming of coming to America. But will the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery truly open on November 1? The answer is now on the official court record.

Against the backdrop of changing U.S. immigration rules and prolonged processes, the fate of the lottery had been in question. On October 14, 2026, however, a Federal Court issued a historic ruling in favor of immigrants.

What Happened in Court? The Ruling That Broke the Silence

Here is the legal background: Judge Jinsook Ohta of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California issued a preliminary injunction against the U.S. State Department in the case Red Eagle Law, L.C. v. Rubio. The court ordered the government to immediately resume the DV-2027 program and begin accepting applications.

The lottery, which had been delayed for months under the excuse of "being revised," officially returned to active status after this ruling.

The Urgent Timeline Set by the Court

Under the amended court order, the State Department is legally bound to meet the following strict deadlines:

• October 29, 2026: The State Department must publicly announce the official registration dates for the lottery.

• November 1, 2026: The official registration portal must be fully operational.

• Minimum 30 Days: The application system must remain open for at least one full month.

• December 3, 2026: Lottery winners must be announced.

Overall, this court order covers 55,000 immigrant visas. The visa application period will conclude on September 30, 2027.

Is Registration Open Right Now? Beware of Scams!

The answer is short: no, it is not open yet!

Months of uncertainty have created an opportunity for scammers. Do not trust any website or individual on the internet claiming that "registration has already started" or offering to "register you with a guaranteed result." The system remains closed until the State Department issues its official announcement.

The only official website for applications is dvprogram.state.gov. Official instructions are published at travel.state.gov.

What's New in the DV-2027 Application: Rules You Must Know

Before you apply, prepare the following important requirements:

• Valid Passport and Passport Scan: Under a new rule effective April 10, 2026, in addition to your passport information, a clear scan of the biographic page of your passport must be uploaded to the system.

• $1 Electronic Fee: For the first time in the history of the lottery, a $1 official electronic registration fee will be charged at the time of application.

• Strict Photo Requirements: A photo taken within the last 6 months, 600x600 pixels, without glasses and without filters, is required.

• Correct Family Information: Your spouse and all unmarried children under 21 (even those who will not immigrate) must be included in the application. Omitting even one child is grounds for disqualification.

An Important Point: Winning the Lottery Does Not Mean Getting a Green Card

The biggest misconception about the lottery is that winning automatically means receiving a Green Card. According to statistics, approximately 50% of selectees never receive a visa.

The main reasons for this are:

• Oversubscription: The State Department selects more than 100,000 applicants for only 55,000 visas. Those whose turn does not come up lose their chance.

• Technical errors on the DS-260 form.

• A casual approach to the interview or documentation.

• Missing the September 30, 2027 deadline.

Being selected is only the first stage of the journey. Every applicant must carefully follow official updates and fully comply with the rules.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery officially opening on November 1, 2026?

Yes. Following a preliminary injunction in the federal court case Red Eagle Law, L.C. v. Rubio, the U.S. State Department has been legally ordered to make the official registration portal fully operational by November 1, 2026. The application system must remain open for a minimum of 30 days.

What are the new rules and requirements for the DV-2027 application?

There are two major changes for the DV-2027 cycle. First, under a rule that took effect in April 2026, applicants must upload a clear scan of their passport's biographic page. Second, for the first time in the program's history, the State Department will charge a $1 official electronic registration fee at the time of application. You must also provide a compliant photo taken within the last 6 months.

How can I avoid Green Card Lottery scams?

Any website or individual claiming that registration is already open before the official State Department timeline, or promising a "guaranteed win," is a scam. The U.S. government does not use third-party sites for this program. The only official website to submit your application is dvprogram.state.gov, and official instructions are hosted at travel.state.gov.

Who needs to be included in my DV-2027 family application?

You are strictly required to include your spouse and all of your unmarried children under the age of 21 on your application. You must list them even if they do not intend to immigrate to the United States with you. Omitting even one eligible child will result in automatic disqualification.

If I win the DV-2027 lottery, am I guaranteed a Green Card?

No. Winning the lottery only means you have been selected to apply for a visa, not that you are guaranteed one. The State Department typically selects over 100,000 winners for only 55,000 available visas. Historically, about 50% of selectees do not receive a visa due to the limited quota, technical errors on their DS-260 forms, documentation issues at the interview, or failing to secure a visa before the September 30, 2027 deadline.