U.S. State Department Introduces $1 Fee for Diversity Visa Lottery Registration (Effective October 16, 2025)
U.S. State Department Introduces $1 Fee for Diversity Visa Lottery Registration (Effective October 16, 2025)
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has officially announced a new policy: starting October 16, 2025, all applicants for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery – commonly known as the Green Card Lottery – will be required to pay a $1 electronic registration fee when submitting their entry.
This marks the first time participants will pay a fee simply to register for the annual lottery, a program that grants up to 55,000 immigrant visas each year to people from countries with historically low levels of U.S. immigration.
Key Details About the New Fee
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$1 registration fee: All DV lottery participants must pay $1 at the time of online registration through the official U.S. government website.
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Application fee unchanged: The $330 visa application fee for selected winners remains the same, but some administrative costs previously covered by that fee will now be supported by the new registration fee.
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Non-refundable: The $1 fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether an applicant is selected or proceeds with the visa process.
Application Timeline
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Registration Opens: October 16, 2025
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Registration Closes: November 19, 2025 (at noon EST)
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Results Available: May 2026 on the official Entrant Status Check website.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their entries early, as last-minute submissions often face technical issues due to high website traffic.
Why the Fee Was Introduced
The DV lottery receives tens of millions of applications each year, creating significant administrative costs. According to the State Department, spreading costs across all registrants (instead of just winners) will generate about $25 million annually to fund system upgrades, enhance security, and improve fraud prevention.
The DOS also hopes the fee will help reduce fraudulent entries and bulk submissions by unauthorized agents.
Impact on Applicants
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Slightly better chances: Fewer fake or duplicate applications could improve selection odds for genuine applicants.
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Small financial barrier: While $1 may seem small, applicants from economically disadvantaged regions may face challenges due to limited access to online payments or additional currency conversion fees.
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Fraud awareness: The new payment requirement could be exploited by scammers charging extra. Applicants should register only through the official U.S. government portal.
What You Should Do
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Prepare for Payment: Make sure you have an accepted online payment method ready before the registration period opens.
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Watch for Official Dates: Mark your calendar for October 16, 2025, when the registration window opens.
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Use Official Channels: Avoid third-party websites that charge extra fees or submit fake entries.
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