A U.S. federal court has directed the Trump administration to open registration for the 2027 Diversity Visa (DV) lottery. The court issued this directive after registration failed to begin within the scheduled timeframe, paving the way for the application process to start for individuals interested in participating in the green card lottery. According to the court order, the U.S. Department of State must begin accepting applications by November 1 and announce the registration schedule by October 29.
Judge Jinsuk Ohta of the Federal Court in California issued the order on October 14. Per the court's directive, the registration activity may remain open for 30 days. However, to learn details regarding the final application schedule, eligibility conditions, and application procedures, applicants must wait for an official announcement from the Department of State.
The lawsuit was filed by a law firm named Red Eagle Law. The firm alleged that by failing to start accepting applications at the scheduled time, the U.S. Department of State effectively stalled the program. The court was told that this caused financial losses not only to potential applicants but also to the firm, which provides legal assistance related to the lottery.
The lawsuit held U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Department of State accountable. The government argued that starting applications after the deadline could create a situation conflicting with the program's rules. However, the judge opined that halting a program authorized by Congress simply because a deadline had passed was unacceptable. Based on this reasoning, he ordered the opening of registration.
The DV lottery is commonly known as the green card lottery. Under this program, there is a provision to grant up to 55,000 immigrant visas every year to eligible citizens of countries that send relatively fewer immigrants to the United States. Selected applicants can get the opportunity to reside permanently in the U.S. subject to fulfilling prescribed conditions.
Unlike many other work-based immigration processes, participating in this lottery generally does not require a job offer from a U.S. company or employer sponsorship. However, selection in the lottery does not guarantee a green card. Applicants must fulfill necessary qualifications, submit documents, and complete immigration and security vetting processes.
Applications typically require a higher secondary education or equivalent qualification. Alternatively, work experience in a profession meeting specified conditions may also be acceptable. If registration opens according to the court's directive, citizens of eligible countries will be able to apply anew for the opportunity to permanently reside in the United States. However, before applying, it is essential to check the official announcement of the U.S. Department of State, country eligibility, and other conditions.
