Green Card Lottery: US Court Orders DV-2027 Registration

A significant judicial ruling has been issued regarding the opening of registration for the Green Card lottery under the Diversity Visa program (DV-2027). A federal judge has ordered the US Department of State to launch registration for fiscal year 2027 no later than October 18 and keep the application window open for at least 30 days.

Under the order, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is instructed to initiate registration for the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program for fiscal year 2027 by midnight on October 18 and officially publish the registration timeframe on the State Department’s website.

In December 2025, the White House temporarily suspended the program following a shooting incident at Brown University in Providence, as the suspect reportedly entered the United States through the Diversity Visa system. Consequently, the US State Department halted immigrant visa issuance under the program starting December 23, 2025. Although document submissions and certain interview proceedings continued, final visa approvals were put on hold for all DV applicants worldwide.

The Diversity Visa Program and Selection Statistics

Commonly known as the Green Card lottery, the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program grants permanent resident status to nationals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. Entrants selected through the computerized draw who satisfy strict eligibility criteria and clear background vetting are eligible to become lawful permanent residents.

Interest in the program remains substantial across the South Caucasus. According to official State Department statistics, the number of selectees from Azerbaijan has evolved as follows over recent cycles:

• DV-2021: 1,439 selectees
• DV-2022: 919 selectees
• DV-2023: 1,260 selectees
• DV-2024: 2,046 selectees
• DV-2025: 1,730 selectees

Selection figures for other selected nations are detailed in the official table below:

When Does DV-2027 Registration Officially Open?

The US Department of State is scheduled to announce the registration schedule, portal details, and updated instructions on its website by October 29. Following this notification, online submissions are expected to begin on November 1 and run for at least 30 consecutive days.

Under the court’s preliminary framework, notifications for selected applicants will be published on December 3. However, if the government files an appeal, this operational timeline could change. Definite dates will depend entirely on the formal directives issued by the State Department.

How to Submit a Valid Application

Registrations are accepted exclusively online through the official portal: dvprogram.state.gov. Paper forms, incomplete electronic submissions, or late filings submitted after the deadline will be rejected automatically.

Upon successful submission, the system generates a distinct confirmation number along with the applicant’s name. Entrants must securely store this alphanumeric code, as it serves as the sole identifier required to inspect lottery results.

Is There an Application Fee?

Historically, entering the Diversity Visa lottery has been completely free. Processing charges were levied solely during the in-person consular visa interview stage for individuals chosen in the draw. Detailed payment rules for DV-2027 will be finalized in the October 29 release. Some unconfirmed reports suggest a nominal $1 registration fee could be introduced this cycle.

Expert Warning: Avoid Scams and Third-Party Intermediaries

Rahman Guliyev, Head of the Tourist Awareness and Support Department at the Association of Tourism Agencies of Azerbaijan, shared key advice with Miraz.TV regarding expected adjustments:

“Prospective applicants should rely strictly on official US government portals and closely track policy updates. Participating in the Green Card lottery provides a path to permanent residency, but winning the draw does not guarantee a visa. Accurately submitting personal information, preparing matching documentation, and following procedural timelines are vital steps.”

Guliyev also cautioned against commercial agencies making false promises:

“Citizens must remain vigilant against paid intermediaries and fraudulent schemes. Review all entry terms beforehand. The most critical factor for participants is relying exclusively on official sources, understanding requirements thoroughly, and avoiding rushed decisions. Information should always be verified on the official State Department website.”

Core Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy two fundamental prerequisites to participate. First, the entrant must have been born in a qualifying country. Second, the applicant must fulfill baseline educational or professional experience benchmarks.

Candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Completion of a formal 12-year secondary education or its recognized equivalent;
• At least two years of qualifying work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires a minimum of two years of training or experience.

Selected individuals must also undergo standard security clearances and background checks before a visa can be approved.

Country Eligibility and Exclusions

Citizens of Azerbaijan remain eligible to apply provided they meet the educational or work criteria. According to immigration law, native citizens of countries that sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States over the previous five years are excluded.

During the DV-2026 cycle, excluded nations included India, China, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, and Nigeria. The updated roster of eligible territories for DV-2027 will be confirmed by the State Department on October 29.

Photo Guidelines and the Single-Entry Rule

Submitting an invalid digital photograph is the leading cause of entry disqualification. Under DV regulations, images must adhere to the following standards:

• Dimensions of exactly 600 × 600 pixels;
• Taken within the previous six months;
• No eyeglasses permitted;
• Completely free from digital retouching, filters, or editing;
• Individual photographs conforming to the same guidelines must be uploaded for a spouse and all unmarried dependent children.

Strict rules govern frequency of entry: each individual may submit only one entry per fiscal year. Filing multiple applications under the same name results in immediate disqualification of all submissions.

How and When to Verify Results

Under the court-approved schedule, selectee lists will become accessible on December 3, 2026. Entrants must independently check their status through the “Entrant Status Check” tool on dvprogram.state.gov by entering their confirmation number, surname, and birth year. The State Department does not notify selectees by mail, postal delivery, or electronic correspondence.

Selection Odds and Annual Visa Caps

Winning a Diversity Visa is statistically competitive. For example, during the DV-2026 cycle, 20,822,624 qualified entries were recorded worldwide. Among those entries, only 129,516 principal applicants and family members were selected in the computer drawing.

Worldwide visas allocated under the statute are capped at approximately 55,000 annually. Consequently, being selected in the initial lottery draw does not ensure an immigrant visa.

Mandatory Next Steps for Selectees

Selected applicants must promptly file Form DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa Application), compile certified civil and identity documents, pass an authorized medical examination, and attend a formal interview at an assigned US embassy or consulate.

Eligible individuals lawfully residing inside the United States may apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an adjustment of status. All administrative procedures, interviews, and visa issuances must conclude before the statutory quota is exhausted and no later than September 30, 2027.