Apply only on dvprogram.state.gov during the announced entry period. Gather your eligibility details, passport scan, DV photo, email, and family information first. Review your application yourself and keep the confirmation number.
Before you apply: DV-2027 registration status
The official DV-2027 registration window had not yet been announced as open on October 23, 2026. A reported federal-court schedule calls for an October 29 announcement and a November 1 opening deadline, but those are not a substitute for official registration instructions. Use this guide as a preparation checklist until filing becomes available.
What do you need to apply for DV Lottery 2027?
| Information | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Identity | Full name, sex, date of birth, city and country of birth |
| Passport | Valid, unexpired passport and required biographic/signature-page scan unless exempt |
| Contact | Accessible email, postal address and other form details as requested |
| Photograph | Recent compliant JPEG photo, exactly 600 × 600 pixels, ≤240 KB |
| Family | Spouse and qualifying children's details/photos when required |
| Eligibility | Qualifying birth country and high-school education or qualifying work experience |
| Registration payment | Government-authorized $1 electronic entry fee |
How to enter DV Lottery 2027 online
Open the official government website
Go directly to dvprogram.state.gov only after the entry period opens. Read the current DV-2027 instructions before starting.
Confirm country of eligibility and education
Eligibility is normally based on your country of birth, not just your passport nationality. The principal applicant must satisfy the qualifying education or work-experience rule.
Enter your name and birth details
Copy your family name, given name, middle name (when applicable), sex, date of birth, and place of birth accurately. Select the correct options and avoid switching day and month.
Complete passport details and upload required scan
Check the passport number, expiry, and scanned page quality. Follow any exemptions explicitly described in the current instructions. Do not submit a blurry or truncated scan.
Upload your recent DV-compliant photo
Check the photo size, format, lighting, head position, and background. Do not digitally modify your face. Read the photo requirements guide.
Enter contact, education, marital and family details
Use an email you own and list all required spouse/child information truthfully, even if the family members will not travel with you.
Review every field and pay the official fee
The regulation adds a $1 government registration fee payable through an authorized payment portal. Review the entire entry before paying or submitting and never provide unrelated payment credentials to third parties.
Submit once and save the confirmation number
Keep a secure copy of your confirmation page. The government allows only one entry per person per registration period. You need the confirmation number to check your results.
How to enter passport names and date of birth correctly
Passport MRZ lines generally provide the family name, given name, date of birth, sex, and nationality. But city of birth is usually printed on the passport's visual page, not encoded in the standard MRZ. Make sure the field labelled “country of eligibility” reflects DV rules instead of copying nationality automatically.
Seven DV application errors to avoid
- Entering a different family name from the passport without following the form instructions.
- Choosing passport nationality instead of the correct birth-country eligibility.
- Reversing the day and month in date-of-birth fields.
- Uploading an outdated, edited, blurry, or noncompliant photo.
- Missing a spouse or eligible child required by the instructions.
- Submitting multiple entries for the same person.
- Losing the official confirmation number or allowing an agent to keep the only copy.
What happens after you submit?
Receiving a confirmation number means the entry was submitted; it does not mean you were selected. The State Department will announce the result-checking period. Check the government's Entrant Status Check yourself and continue to follow visa-issuance guidance, which can change separately from the lottery registration process.
How to apply: Frequently asked questions
Can I complete the DV Lottery form on my phone?
The official entry website must be used during the authorized period. A computer is often more convenient for reviewing fields and uploading compliant documents; check actual device/browser support when registration opens.
Can WafidFill apply for me automatically?
No. WafidFill helps extract and autofill supported passport data. You must verify eligibility, provide photographs/documents, complete the government payment when required, and submit your entry yourself.
Do I need to include a spouse who will not immigrate?
Ordinarily you must list your spouse and eligible children as the official instructions require, even if they will not immigrate. Check carefully for specific exceptions.
How many entries may I submit?
Only one entry by or for an individual during each registration period. Multiple entries can cause disqualification.
Official application resources
Prepare passport details faster with WafidFill
Read passport MRZ and printed information, reduce repetitive typing and use autofill on compatible websites. An updated DV-specific extension includes extra form-field mapping; test against the official live form once available and review every entry yourself.
Add WafidFill to ChromeIndependent browser extension. Not endorsed by the U.S. government. Not an official DV application website.
Explore more DV Lottery 2027 guides
Disclaimer: This article provides general information, not legal or immigration advice. WafidFill is independent of the U.S. Department of State. Registration, selection and visa issuance are separate processes. Always verify the current instructions at dvprogram.state.gov.