The United States Department of State has confirmed when foreigners who were selected in the 2027 Diversity Visa lottery can begin pursuing their visa applications, setting a window that runs from October 1, 2026, through to September 30, 2027.
The announcement appeared on the department’s official travel website and brought some clarity to thousands of lottery participants who have been awaiting guidance on next steps.
Changes to DV-2027 Entry Process
Alongside the visa application timeline, the department disclosed that it is reviewing changes to the way people enter the DV-2027 lottery.
The specific nature of those changes was not detailed in the announcement, and the government has not yet revealed a start date for the DV-2027 registration period, saying only that it would share that date “as soon as practicable.”
The department also indicated it would separately announce when DV-2027 selection results would become accessible through the Entry Status Check, the official online tool that lottery participants use to confirm whether they were chosen.
Selected Applicants Unaffected by the Reforms
Crucially, authorities were clear that the modifications under consideration apply solely to the entry and registration process for future participants.
Those who have already been selected under the DV-2027 programme will not see any change to their visa application conditions.
The October 2026 to September 2027 window remains intact for confirmed selectees, who can proceed with their applications as originally planned.
The Diversity Visa programme, commonly referred to as the Green Card Lottery, offers a pathway to permanent US residency for nationals of countries that historically send fewer immigrants to the United States.
Each year, tens of thousands of applicants worldwide are selected through a randomized process, with the results checked via the Entry Status Check portal.
US delays DV-2027 registration dates
TUKO.co.ke recently reported that the US Department of State had not yet announced the opening date for the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery registration period.
The department said it was making changes to the entry process and would publish the registration dates in the coming months.
Prospective applicants, including Kenyans, were advised to monitor the official Diversity Visa website for accurate updates and avoid fraudulent websites or agents.
