Good news for immigrants hoping to obtain a Green Card through the Diversity Visa Lottery!
On October 14, 2026, U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta in California ordered the Trump administration to move forward with the delayed DV-2027 Green Card Lottery after the State Department failed to open registration in 2025.
Following a lawsuit filed by immigration law firm Red Eagle Law, the federal court ordered the government to restore the lottery registration process.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR DV-2027
Under the revised court-approved schedule:
- October 29, 2026: Deadline for the State Department to announce registration details.
- November 1, 2026: Deadline to open DV-2027 registration.
- 30 days: Required registration period.
- December 3, 2026: Deadline to notify selected applicants.
- September 30, 2027: Final deadline for DV-2027 visa issuance.
WHO CAN APPLY?
The Diversity Visa Lottery provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually to qualifying individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States.
Applicants generally must:
- Be born in an eligible country, subject to certain exceptions.
- Have at least a qualifying high school education OR two years of qualifying work experience.
- Submit a properly completed electronic entry during the official registration period.
IMPORTANT WARNING: GREEN CARD ISSUANCE IS STILL PAUSED!
Although the federal court ordered the lottery registration process to proceed, the State Department’s separate pause on Diversity Visa issuance remains an important obstacle.
According to official State Department guidance dated August 31, 2026, applicants may attend interviews, but diversity immigrant visas are not currently being issued under that policy.
This means that winning the lottery does NOT guarantee receiving a Green Card. Further legal developments may determine whether selected applicants can receive their visas before September 30, 2027.
WHAT SHOULD APPLICANTS DO NOW?
Prepare your documents, verify your eligibility, and monitor the official government website at https://dvprogram.state.gov for registration instructions.
At Shepelsky Law Group, we help immigrants understand their eligibility, avoid application mistakes, and explore available pathways to permanent residency.
Call Shepelsky Law Group at 718-769-6352 or visit www.shepelskylaw.com to schedule a consultation.
Your American Dream may still be possible!