The U.S. Department of State has announced a new $1 registration fee for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, starting October 16, 2025. This fee will be charged at the time of registration, in addition to the existing $330 Diversity Visa Application fee.
Until now, only applicants who were selected to apply paid the $330 fee, which covered all management costs of the lottery. The new rule spreads the cost more fairly, ensuring that all participants share in funding the system.
Applicants will pay the $1 fee through an official U.S. government payment portal before completing their registration. This change also aims to discourage fraudulent entries by reducing fake or bulk registrations.
The rule updates 22 CFR 42.33(b)(3), which earlier stated no fee would be collected during submission. Now, the process requires payment upfront. The timing aligns with the upcoming 2027 DV lottery registration period, scheduled to open in early October 2025.
Applicants should prepare for the new system by ensuring access to valid online payment methods and keeping required documents and photos ready. Officials also stress that registrations should only be made through the official U.S. government website to avoid scams.
