The U.S. Department of State has confirmed a delay in the opening of the registration period for the Diversity Visa (DV) 2027 program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery. While registration typically commences in early October each year, no official start date has been announced as of Thursday, October 9, 2025.

This delay coincides with the introduction of a new, non-refundable $1 electronic registration fee for all DV-2027 applicants, a first in the program's history. The rule establishing this fee was finalized in September 2025 and is scheduled to take effect on Thursday, October 16, 2025. The U.S. Department of State indicates this fee aims to distribute operational costs more broadly, reduce fraudulent or duplicate entries, and more fairly share the administrative burden of the lottery.

Historical and Political Context

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, established by the Immigration Act of 1990, makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available annually. These visas are allocated through a random selection process to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States, with no single country receiving more than seven percent of the available visas in any given year. The program's objective is to diversify the immigrant population in the United States.

Kenya has consistently been an eligible country for the DV program, with a significant number of its citizens seeking opportunities abroad due to a competitive local job market. For instance, 4,459 Kenyans were allocated permanent visas under the DV-2025 program, an increase from 3,760 in DV-2024.

Laws, Policy, and Governance

The new $1 registration fee is an adjustment to the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services of the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs. This fee is separate from the long-standing $330 immigrant visa application fee, which remains unchanged and is paid only by those selected for a visa.

A previously proposed rule that would have mandated all DV applicants possess a valid passport at the time of entry submission will not be implemented for the DV-2027 cycle. This proposal was introduced too late for adoption in the current registration period.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

Analysts suggest the introduction of the fee and the delay could influence public debate and policy execution, with stakeholders urging clarity on timelines, costs, and safeguards. The U.S. Department of State encourages prospective applicants to monitor its official website, travel.state.gov, for the latest updates and instructions.

Evidence and Data

The U.S. Diversity Visa Program makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available annually.

• DV-2025 Allocations for Kenyans: 4,459 permanent visas.
• DV-2024 Allocations for Kenyans: 3,760 permanent visas.
• New Registration Fee: $1 (approximately KSh 129), non-refundable, effective October 16, 2025.
• Visa Application Fee (for selected applicants): $330 (approximately KSh 42,619), unchanged.
• Official Website for Information: dvprogram.state.gov and travel.state.gov.

Risks and Implications

The new $1 fee, while seemingly small, could pose a barrier for some applicants, particularly given the high volume of global entries—over 22 million people apply annually, with fewer than 1 in 400 receiving visas. The delay in registration also creates uncertainty for hopeful immigrants. The U.S. Department of State anticipates a slight decline in overall demand for the DV lottery due to the new fee.

Unknowns and Controversies

The exact reason for the delay in the DV-2027 registration has not been officially confirmed by the U.S. Department of State. Speculation includes the need for technical updates to implement the new $1 registration fee and the potential impact of a U.S. government shutdown. The official announcement is expected to clarify these uncertainties.

Timeline and Next Steps

The DV-2027 application period is expected to begin in October 2025 and continue into November 2025, though exact dates are yet to be announced. Applicants can check their status on the official website between May and September 2026. If selected, visa processing and interviews for DV-2027 will occur between October 2026 and September 2027.

What to Watch

Prospective applicants, particularly Kenyans, should closely monitor the official U.S. Department of State websites, travel.state.gov and dvprogram.state.gov, for the official announcement of the DV-2027 registration dates and detailed instructions. It is crucial to use only official channels to avoid scams.