Feds Say 2027 Green Card Lottery Deadline Passed; Attorneys Disagree
The government contends the 2027 Green Card Lottery registration deadline has passed amid disputes.
Why it matters: This conflict could affect thousands of immigration applicants and may trigger legal challenges or policy reviews, crucial for immigration law experts and in-house counsel handling immigration issues.
- U.S. Department of State delayed the 2027 Diversity Visa registration due to system upgrades and a new $1 fee.
- As of September 24, 2026, government says registration period expired; attorneys argue delays have blocked the process.
- A federal judge denied a motion to compel opening the registration, citing lack of legal standing.
- The traditional October start for DV-2027 registration remains unannounced as of late September 2026.
The U.S. Department of State announced on November 5, 2025, that the 2027 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery registration period would be postponed due to system changes and the implementation of a $1 electronic registration fee, a first in the program's history. Traditionally, the lottery registration opens in October each year, but as of September 2026, no start date has been declared (Department of State November 2025 Announcement).
On September 24, 2026, federal officials argued that the deadline to run the DV-2027 lottery has expired. In contrast, immigration attorneys contend the Department's delay tactics have obstructed the registration process. Joseph Morrison of Red Eagle Law highlighted the issue, stating, "The law requires a 30-day entry period to take place within the prior fiscal year. There are only 42 days in the fiscal year, and no entry period has been announced" (Courthouse News September 2026).
Efforts to compel the government to open the registration faced a setback when U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta denied a request from Red Eagle Law to force the State Department to launch the DV-2027 registration, ruling the firm lacked legal standing to sue (LegalTech Digest September 2026).
This impasse leaves thousands of hopeful Diversity Visa applicants in limbo. The DV program annually allocates 55,000 visas to individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. The $1 electronic fee and system changes represent significant program adjustments, but without clear registration timelines, legal and procedural uncertainties persist (VisaPics October 2025).
By the numbers:
- $1 — new electronic registration fee for DV-2027
- 55,000 — diversity visas allocated annually via lottery
- 42 days — total fiscal year days available for lottery registration per law
Yes, but: The government has stated it will announce the start date for DV-2027 "as soon as practicable," indicating potential for reopening, though no specific timeline exists.
What's next: Watch for any official update from the Department of State on the DV-2027 lottery registration start date, which could resolve legal uncertainties.