A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of State to move forward with the delayed DV-2027 Diversity Visa Program, commonly called the green card lottery.
On October 14, 2026, U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta granted a preliminary injunction in Red Eagle Law, L.C. v. Rubio. The court initially imposed an expedited schedule, then approved a joint request from the parties extending the deadlines. Under the revised order, the State Department must announce the registration period by October 29 and open registration by November 1, 2026. (courthousenews.com)
As of October 16, DV-2027 registration is not yet open. The State Department’s existing DV-2027 notice still says that the registration start date will be announced separately. (travel.state.gov)
The preliminary injunction directs the State Department to operate the DV-2027 program on an unusually compressed schedule:
| Court-ordered deadline | Required action |
|---|---|
| October 29, 2026, at midnight EST | Publicly announce the registration period, official entry website and participation requirements |
| November 1, 2026, at midnight EST | Open DV-2027 electronic registration |
| At least 30 days after opening | Keep registration available for eligible entrants |
| December 3, 2026, at midnight EST | Notify the people selected and eligible to apply |
| September 30, 2027 | Complete DV-2027 processing, subject to eligibility and visa availability |
The court also ordered the government to accept qualifying electronic entries, conduct the random selection process and process selected applicants until the available visa numbers are used or fiscal year 2027 ends. (t.me)
This is a preliminary injunction rather than a final judgment resolving the entire lawsuit. The order is currently binding, but an appeal, stay or later court ruling could still affect the schedule.
Applicants should wait for the State Department’s official DV-2027 instructions before submitting anything. The eligible-country list, exact closing date and technical entry requirements should appear in the government announcement due by October 29.
Several important registration changes are expected for DV-2027:
The passport rule and registration fee differ from older DV guidance stating that registration was free and did not require a passport. Applicants should therefore follow the forthcoming DV-2027 instructions rather than relying on previous-year guides. (public-inspection.federalregister.gov)
Eligible F-1 students, OPT or STEM OPT participants, H-1B workers and other nonimmigrants may generally enter the Diversity Visa lottery if they satisfy the DV-2027 requirements. Entering the lottery does not, by itself, change a person’s current immigration status.
The DV program is separate from F-1, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT) and employer-sponsored immigration. It does not provide immediate employment authorization or permission to remain in the United States.
Selection also does not automatically produce a green card. A selected entrant must still:
USCIS states that selected individuals legally residing in the United States may be eligible to apply for adjustment of status if a visa number is immediately available and they meet the other requirements. Because DV cases have a strict fiscal-year deadline, students selected while in F-1 status should consider discussing their circumstances with a qualified immigration attorney before changing their academic, employment or travel plans. (uscis.gov)
The next major deadline is October 29, 2026, when the State Department must publish the DV-2027 registration details. Registration must then open by midnight EST on November 1.
Prospective applicants should use only official State Department websites. They should not pay third-party websites claiming to accept DV-2027 entries before the government portal opens or promising guaranteed selection.
No. As of October 16, 2026, DV-2027 registration is not open. The court has ordered the State Department to announce the registration period by October 29 and open the electronic entry system by November 1.
Yes, an F-1 student may enter if they meet the DV-2027 eligibility requirements. Entering does not violate F-1 status by itself, but it also does not extend status or authorize employment. A selected student should obtain individualized advice before filing for permanent residence or making travel and status decisions.
No. Selection only permits an entrant to continue with the application process. The person must still qualify, pass the required screening, have a visa number available and complete the process before the September 30, 2027 deadline.
The State Department’s current fee schedule lists a $1 electronic registration fee for the principal entrant. Separate and substantially higher fees apply if a selected person later applies for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status.
Most entrants will generally need a valid, unexpired passport and must upload the required passport-page image. Limited exemptions exist under the final rule, but applicants should wait for the official DV-2027 instructions for the exact documentation standards.