US Green Card Lottery Is Now Paid: What's Changing in 2025

Starting in 2025, applying for the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery (Green Card Lottery) is no longer entirely free. For the first time in its history, a mandatory fee of $1 is being introduced for every application. This update affects all eligible countries and aims to reduce spam and fraudulent entries. In this article, we'll explain what this fee means, how the new process works, and why it’s still worth participating — or considering other immigration strategies.

Beginning October 16, 2025, all Diversity Visa Lottery applicants must pay a non-refundable $1 registration fee when submitting their entry through the official website. This symbolic payment marks a significant policy shift — up until now, registration was always free of charge.

The new fee applies to all eligible countries without exception. Whether you're applying from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, or the Balkans — the $1 rule is now part of the official process. The goal is to make participation more transparent and to discourage automated or mass fake applications.

In other words, the lottery is still random, but now comes with a formal validation step.

The registration process for DV-2027 will follow these updated steps:

1. Prepare your application — ensure your photo, personal data, and family information are up to date.
2. Apply via the official site — dvprogram.state.gov remains the only legitimate platform.
3. Pay the $1 fee — payment must be made online during submission.
4. Receive your confirmation number — this is essential for checking results in May.

Any application submitted without the $1 payment will be automatically disqualified.

Avoid third-party services or fake websites. The official site is secure, simple, and designed for self-submission.

Winning the lottery doesn’t mean immigration is free. If selected, you’ll need to cover:

• Visa interview fee — $330 per applicant
• Medical exam — typically $100–$300, depending on country
• Document translations and notary services
• USCIS immigrant fee — $220 to activate your green card
• Travel and relocation expenses — flights, housing, etc.

It’s important to plan your budget ahead, even before applying.

With the introduction of this small payment, more scammers may try to take advantage of uninformed applicants. Here’s how to stay safe:

• Only use dvprogram.state.gov
• Never trust “guaranteed win” offers
• Keep your confirmation number private
• Always double-check that you're on a .gov domain
• Don’t pay agents for services you don’t need — submission is easy and can be done independently

If you use a consultant, make sure they’re transparent and professional — no real expert will promise you a better chance.

Yes, the DV Lottery is still open to millions of people. And yes, the $1 fee doesn’t change your odds — it only confirms your seriousness. But it’s important to remember: this is a lottery, not a guaranteed path to a U.S. visa. You can try your luck — and you should if you're eligible.

But if you want a real immigration plan with predictable results, reach out to Visa Dan. We help clients worldwide explore working visas, study programs, investments, and family-based options that can actually bring you to the U.S. — not just hope for it.

Visa Dan is an international company with a strong legal team and experience in assisting more than 1,000 clients. We offer:

• Individual selection of solutions and strategies for obtaining a residence permit.
• Complete transparency and support at every stage.
• A strong team in Europe: lawyers, translators, operators, notaries.
• Support until you receive your ID card, as well as assistance with renewal and integration in the country.

The Visa Dan team will help you navigate this journey from start to finish. Get personalized advice and start your new life in 2025!