Diversity Immigrant Visa Program Update: New Passport Requirement with Entry Form

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) published a final rule amending Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) requirements for enhanced vetting.

What is the Diversity Visa Lottery Program?

The DV Program provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas to people from countries with low U.S. immigration rates. Under the program, foreign nationals who are selected through a randomized computer drawing are granted the opportunity to apply for U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (green card) status.

What are the Key Changes?

• Passport Requirement: A valid, unexpired passport must be provided with the initial entry form
• Scan Upload: Applicants must upload a JPEG scan of the passport biographic and signature page
• Spouses and Children: The passport scan applies to the primary petitioner; spouses and children must still provide photographs and identifying information
• Registration Fee: There is a new, non-refundable $1 form entry fee
• Updated Form Language: The term “gender” was replaced with “sex” and “date of birth” has replaced “age” to more accurately reflect information collected during the immigrant visa process

Are there Exemptions?

Limited exemptions include applicants who are stateless, nationals from the government of a Communist-controlled country who are unable to obtain a passport, or the beneficiaries of an individual waiver approved by the Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of State. Applicants seeking an exemption must provide evidence for review.

When Will the New Changes Take Effect?

The final rule is effective April 10, 2026. Changes will apply to the 2027 Diversity Visa (DV-2027) Program.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

Passport processing times can vary significantly by country. HR teams should work with foreign nationals from eligible countries to secure a valid, unexpired passport as soon as possible to avoid any processing delays or application disqualification.

When Will DV-2027 Registration Open?

DOS delayed the opening of the DV-2027 program due to the new passport requirement and has not yet provided the start date. However, the application period for those selected remains October 1 – September 30, 2027.

Gibney will continue to provide ongoing updates on the DV-2027 Program. For questions, please contact your immigration attorney or email info@gibney.com.

Amy McCoy