DV Lottery 2027 applications open from November 1
This lawsuit was filed following an announcement issued by the U.S. Department of State on November 5, 2025. In that announcement, the Department stated that it was modifying the application process for the DV-2027 program and that the registration dates would be announced “as soon as possible.” At that time, the Department indicated that the visa application period for selected applicants would run from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.
LOS ANGELES:- Federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of State to open the registration period for the 2027 Diversity Visa Lottery until midnight on November 1, and to notify selected applicants by December 3, 2027.
According to an amended order issued by Judge Jinsook Ohta of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, the Department of State must announce the registration period for the DV-2027 program by midnight on October 29. The order further mandates that the registration period remain open for 30 days.
This order follows a lawsuit filed by Red Eagle Law—a firm providing immigration-related legal services in Southern California—naming U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in his official capacity, as the opposing party. The case was registered in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California under case number 3:26-CV-04738.
The legal organization requested the court to compel the Trump administration to resume the DV-2027 program. The organization argued that there was a risk the DV lottery for this year might not take place at all, as the State Department had failed to open the application registration process.
This lawsuit was filed following an announcement issued by the U.S. Department of State on November 5, 2025. In that announcement, the Department stated that it was modifying the application process for the DV-2027 program and that the registration dates would be announced “as soon as possible.” At that time, the Department indicated that the visa application period for selected applicants would run from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.
The DV-2027 process includes new requirements. Under rules effective from April 10, applicants must provide details of a valid passport, along with a copy of the passport page containing their personal information. Additionally, in accordance with fee regulations issued by the Department of State in September 2025, an application fee of one US dollar has been introduced.
Red Eagle LLC initially sought a temporary restraining order. However, on September 3, Judge Ohta denied the request—with leave to resubmit—and allowed for further written arguments to be presented in the case. On September 7, the entity filed an emergency motion for a preliminary injunction, which the government opposed on September 14. Following a hearing on September 24 and the receipt of subsequent written submissions, Judge Ohta issued a preliminary injunction on October 14.
Subsequently, both parties submitted a joint application to amend the injunction, which the court approved. Consequently, the deadlines stipulated in the initial order have been extended. Under the initial order, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was required to announce the application registration date by October 15, open the application process by October 18, and notify the selected applicants by November 19. The amended order has extended these deadlines to October 29, November 1, and December 3, respectively.
The notice issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must include clear information regarding the opening and closing dates for application registration, the website for submitting online applications, and the eligibility requirements and procedures for participating in the program. The order further specifies that the Ministry must disseminate this information through its regular public communication channels, including the Federal Register.
According to the amended order, the Department of State must notify applicants selected for the DV program for the 2027 fiscal year by midnight (Eastern Time, USA) on December 3. Furthermore, subject to applicable law, the Department must proceed with the visa application process for eligible applicants and issue visas in accordance with its established procedures and criteria. This process shall continue until the number of visas allocated for the fiscal year is exhausted or until September 30, 2027—whichever occurs first.
The DV program provides eligible citizens from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States the opportunity to apply for an immigrant visa. However, being selected in the DV lottery does not guarantee a visa. Selected applicants must meet the specified eligibility requirements and complete the necessary application process.
