A federal judge ordered the delayed DV-2027 lottery to proceed, setting a November 1, 2026, deadline for the State Department to open registration. The decision restores a potential path to permanent residence for eligible applicants after the government postponed the annual entry period.
The Court’s New Timeline
U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta of the Southern District of California granted a preliminary injunction on October 14, 2026, in Red Eagle Law, L.C. v. Rubio. The case challenged the State Department’s failure to begin the fiscal year 2027 Diversity Visa registration process.
Under a modified schedule approved by the court, the department must publicly announce the entry period by October 29, 2026. Registration must open by November 1, 2026, and remain available for 30 days. The department must notify people selected to apply by December 3, 2026.
The order also directs the government to accept qualifying electronic entries and process selected applicants under the program’s established procedures until the available visas are used or the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2027.
Why Registration Was Delayed
The State Department announced on November 5, 2025, that it was changing parts of the DV-2027 entry process and would publish new registration dates later. However, registration did not begin during the program’s usual fall period, creating uncertainty for prospective entrants.
The Diversity Visa program is authorized by federal immigration law and provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually, subject to statutory adjustments. It is intended for people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. Entrants must also satisfy the program’s education or qualifying work-experience requirements.
The court’s preliminary injunction requires the administration to move forward with the program. It is not a final ruling on every issue raised in the lawsuit.
What Applicants Should Know
The DV-2027 application website is not yet open as of October 16, 2026. Prospective applicants should wait for official State Department instructions, including the eligible-country list, documentation requirements, registration website and exact closing time.
Selection in the lottery does not guarantee a green card. A selected person must still submit the required immigrant visa forms, establish eligibility, complete security and medical screening, and receive a visa before the fiscal-year deadline. Available visa numbers may also be exhausted before September 30, 2027.
Applicants should use only official U.S. government websites and keep their entry confirmation information. Unofficial services cannot improve a person’s chances of selection, and entrants should be cautious of messages claiming they have won before official results are released.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Requirements and court deadlines may change through further orders or government announcements.
Sources
- Order Granting the Motion for Preliminary Injunction — U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California (October 14, 2026)
- Changes to Entry Period for 2027 Diversity Visa (DV) Program — U.S. Department of State (November 5, 2025)
- Green Card lottery latest update: US judge orders Trump administration to reopen 2027 Diversity Visa lottery; registration to begin November 1 — The Times of India (October 15, 2026)
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