A federal judge just ordered the U.S. Department of State to reopen registration for the Fiscal Year 2027 Diversity Visa Lottery — the green card lottery. The program got suspended back in December 2025. Here’s why that matters: if you wanted to apply but got shut out during the suspension, whether you’re here in the U.S. or abroad, you now have another shot. But the window is short. Real short. Our team breaks down what happened, who this affects, and what you need to do right now.
Background: What This Means
The Diversity Visa Program hands out a limited number of immigrant visas each year to people from countries that don’t send a lot of immigrants to the U.S. normally. The State Department runs it, usually opening registration for a few weeks every fall. For DV-2027, the Trump administration pulled the plug in December 2025 before people could even finish registering.
A federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California wasn’t having it. He ruled the suspension was unlawful and ordered the State Department to reopen DV-2027 registration. Here’s what that means in practice: as of October 23, 2026, the State Department has to reopen the online entry system by November 1, 2026, and keep it open for 30 days. Selectee notifications — that’s the list of people randomly picked to move forward — are due by December 3, 2026.
These dates can shift fast. They always can when courts and agencies are involved. Check the official Diversity Visa Program page on state.gov and the USCIS green card page before you submit anything. Protect your rights — we handle the rest.
How This Affects Diversity Visa Applicants
This court order mainly affects three groups of people:
- People who tried to register before the suspension. Some entries may not have been fully processed. These applicants should confirm whether they need to submit a new entry during the reopened window.
- People who missed the original registration period. The reopened window gives a new chance to enter, but only for 30 days starting November 1, 2026.
- Family members of applicants. If a principal applicant is selected, spouses and unmarried children under 21 may also qualify for a visa, so family information must be accurate on the entry form.
Because diversity visas are limited and awarded by random selection, being entered does not guarantee a green card. Selectees still must meet eligibility rules, including education or work experience requirements, and pass a background and medical review before a visa is issued.
What You Should Do Now
If you want to take part in the DV-2027 lottery, consider these steps:
- Check your eligibility. You generally must be born in a qualifying country and meet either an education requirement (high school diploma or equivalent) or a work experience requirement in a qualifying occupation.
- Register only through the official government website once it reopens. Do not use third-party sites that charge a fee to submit your entry, since this can lead to scams or incorrect information.
- Gather accurate documents now, including passport details and a recent digital photo that meets State Department specifications, so you are ready to submit before the 30-day window closes.
- Keep a copy of your confirmation number. This is the only way to check your selection status later, since the State Department does not notify everyone individually.
- Watch for the December 3, 2026 selectee notification date and respond promptly if you are chosen, since there are often additional deadlines for visa interviews and document submission.
- Speak with an immigration attorney if you have a prior visa denial, a criminal record, an immigration court case, or any other complicating factor, since these issues can affect whether a selectee ultimately receives a visa.
Readers who already have a pending family-based case may want to review our page on family-based immigration to understand how a diversity visa selection could interact with an existing petition. Anyone currently in removal proceedings or with a pending Immigration Court matter should also review our page on removal defense and Immigration Court representation, since a court case can affect eligibility for a diversity visa.
How TEZ Law Firm Can Help
TEZ Law Firm assists clients with Diversity Visa Program questions, including reviewing eligibility before registration, checking entry confirmations, and preparing documents for selectees who move forward in the process. The firm also helps clients who have related immigration matters, such as a pending family petition, a prior visa issue, or an open Immigration Court case, understand how those matters may affect a diversity visa outcome. For a general overview of the immigration services offered, visit the immigration law page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Diversity Visa Lottery?
The Diversity Visa Lottery is a U.S. government program that randomly selects a limited number of people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States to apply for a green card. It is run each year by the U.S. Department of State.
When does DV-2027 registration reopen?
Under the federal court order, as of October 23, 2026, the State Department must reopen the online registration system by November 1, 2026, for a 30-day window. Applicants should confirm the exact closing date on the official State Department website once it reopens.
Does being selected in the lottery guarantee a green card?
No. Selection only means you may continue in the process. Selectees still must meet eligibility requirements, submit additional documents, pass an interview, and clear background and medical checks before a visa can be issued.
I already submitted an entry before the suspension. Do I need to register again?
This depends on whether your original entry was fully processed before the program was suspended in December 2025. You should check the official State Department confirmation system once it reopens and consider speaking with an immigration attorney if you are unsure.
What happens if I am selected but have a pending immigration court case?
A pending removal case or prior immigration violation can affect whether a selectee is able to receive a visa. It is generally a good idea to review your case history with an immigration attorney before your visa interview.
Deadlines in the DV-2027 lottery are short, and the registration window may change again depending on further court action. If you have questions about your eligibility, a prior immigration case, or how a diversity visa selection may affect your family, you can schedule a consultation with TEZ Law Firm by visiting our contact page. JJ Zhang, managing attorney at TEZ Law Firm (California Bar #326666), and the firm’s staff are available to discuss your situation.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and agency practices change; contact TEZ Law Firm (West Covina, California) at 626-888-6856 or [email protected] about your situation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.