WASHINGTON ( The COW News Digital) Important news for those dreaming of a future in the United States: the U.S. Department of State has announced a $1 registration fee for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program, starting October 16.
This marks the first time a fee will be charged at the time of registration for the popular Green Card Lottery. The $1 fee is separate from the existing $330 visa processing fee, which is only charged to applicants who are selected for the program and proceed with visa processing.
According to foreign media reports, the decision is expected to generate approximately $25 million annually, which will be used to cover operational costs, upgrade systems, improve data collection, and strengthen security reviews for the DV Lottery Program.
The Diversity Visa Lottery offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas each year to applicants from countries with historically low levels of immigration to the United States. Nearly 25 million registrations are received annually from across the globe, making it one of the most competitive immigration programs in the world.
The U.S. State Department explained that the new fee will help reduce fraud and third-party scams by ensuring that only serious applicants participate. Currently, many fraudulent agents submit multiple unauthorized entries on behalf of applicants, leading to confusion and rejection. The nominal fee aims to deter such practices.
However, critics argue that even a small fee could discourage applicants from low-income countries, where access to international payment systems is limited. Some experts warn that this may slightly reduce participation from regions with fewer economic resources.
To participate, applicants will need to submit their electronic entry through the official U.S. government website and pay the non-refundable $1 fee through an authorized online payment portal. The Department of State has urged applicants to avoid third-party agents and only use the official government platform to ensure their applications are valid.
The DV Lottery continues to be one of the most sought-after immigration opportunities for those seeking education, career prospects, and permanent residency in the U.S. The introduction of this fee marks a significant shift in the program’s operation and is expected to improve fairness and efficiency in processing applications.
