The DV-2027 lottery made headlines in recent weeks: a federal judge ordered registration to reopen on November 1, the government appealed and, days later, an appeals court put that order on hold. Can you apply today? What does it mean for Latin Americans? And what alternatives are there?
The short answer: as of November 3, 2026, DV-2027 lottery registration remains closed. On October 29, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the order that required it to open while the appeal moves forward. No new official dates have been announced. In addition, several Latin American countries, such as Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela, are usually not eligible for this program.
In this article we explain what the program is, what happened in court, who can participate, how to avoid fraud and which investment or talent-based immigration paths you can explore if your country does not qualify.
In immigration, the news can change in days. What does not change is the value of having your own plan.
What the visa lottery (Diversity Visa Program) is
The Diversity Visa Program, known as the green card lottery or DV, can make up to 55,000 immigrant visas available each year to people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. Normally, the Department of State opens an online registration period, randomly selects about 100,000 entrants, and they can then apply for the visa, which leads to permanent residence (a green card).
For DV-2027 there are also two notable changes: a $1 registration fee, paid electronically when you enter, and a requirement to provide information from, and a copy of, a valid passport, with limited exceptions.
What happened to the DV-2027 lottery
DV-2027 registration was expected to open in the fall of 2025, but the Department of State did not open it. Here is the recent timeline:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | The lawsuit Red Eagle Law, L.C. v. Rubio is filed in federal court in California. |
| October 14, 2026 | A federal judge issues a preliminary injunction requiring the government to open registration. |
| October 2026 | A schedule is set: registration from November 1 for 30 days. The government appeals. |
| October 29, 2026 | The Ninth Circuit stays the order while the appeal is decided. |
| Today | Registration remains closed and no new official dates have been announced. |
According to the decision, the court found the plaintiff law firm had not shown it was likely to succeed, while making clear it did not endorse the Department's failure to open registration. The appeal continues, so the situation may change.
Remember: the only official source for dates and registration is the Department of State. If you see posts saying the lottery is already open, verify it on the official program website.
Who can participate in the DV-2027 lottery?
Eligibility depends on your country of birth, not your nationality or where you live today. Each year, countries that sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the US in the previous five years are excluded.
The official DV-2027 list has not been published yet. For reference, people born in Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico and Venezuela, among others, were not eligible for DV-2026. In some cases, eligibility can be claimed through a spouse's country of birth.
Entrants must also have a high school education or qualifying work experience, under the program rules.
How to avoid fraud
- Registration is only available on the Department of State's official site (dvprogram.state.gov).
- The $1 registration fee is paid only on that site.
- The government does not notify winners by email or letter: results are checked online.
- No one can guarantee you will win or improve your odds.
What to do while the appeal is decided
If you were planning to enter the DV-2027 lottery, the smartest move is to get ready without relying on dates that do not exist yet:
- Renew your passport if it is expired or about to expire. The new rule requires a valid passport when you register, and a renewal can take longer than a 30-day window.
- Confirm your country of eligibility. Check your country of birth and, if applicable, your spouse's, once the official list is published.
- Have your photo and personal data ready. Photo rules are strict, and a mistake can disqualify your entry.
- Do not pay intermediaries who promise results. Selection is random.
- Consider a parallel plan. If you have capital, a company or an outstanding track record, there may be paths that do not depend on chance or on a court ruling.
The lottery is a valuable opportunity for many people, but it should not be your only plan if your goal is to start a business, invest or grow your career in the United States.
If your country does not qualify: other paths to immigrate
For many entrepreneurs and professionals from Colombia, Mexico or Venezuela, the lottery is not an option. But there are investment, business and talent-based paths that do not depend on chance:
E-2 visa
For investors from treaty countries who invest in a business they direct. See the E-2 visa.
EB-5 visa
A green card through investment, from $800,000 in certain projects. See the EB-5 visa.
L-1 visa
For executives and managers expanding their company to the US. See the L-1 visa.
O-1 visa
For professionals with extraordinary ability or achievements. See the O-1 visa.
You can review every option on our visas for investors and entrepreneurs page. For the EB-5, check current amounts with USCIS.
Important: no strategy guarantees visa approval. Each path has its own requirements, and every case is evaluated individually.
Before you take the step: checklist
- Have you checked whether your country of birth is eligible for the DV-2027 lottery once the list is published?
- Is your passport valid?
- Are you following only official sources for dates?
- Have you explored investment, business or talent-based paths that fit your profile?
Not sure which visa is right for you? Take the free quiz: which visa fits you?
Frequently asked questions
Is the DV-2027 lottery open?
No. As of November 3, 2026, registration remains closed because the Ninth Circuit stayed the order that required it to open. No new official dates have been announced.
Can Colombians, Mexicans and Venezuelans participate?
They were not eligible for DV-2026. The DV-2027 list has not been published, but historically these countries have been excluded because of their high immigration numbers.
How much does it cost to enter?
Registration has a $1 fee paid only on the Department of State's official site. Selectees later pay the visa application fee.
Can a lawyer improve my chances of winning?
No. Selection is random. No one can guarantee you will win.
What are the alternatives if I do not qualify?
Paths such as the E-2, L-1, EB-5 or O-1 visas, depending on your nationality, capital and track record. Every case is evaluated individually.
Your country does not qualify for the lottery? Explore your other options
Review your profile with our team and find out which investment or talent-based paths could be viable for you.
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Sources consulted: US Department of State – Diversity Visa Program · USCIS – EB-5 · Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals order of October 29, 2026 in Red Eagle Law, L.C. v. Rubio. Information current as of November 3, 2026; the situation may change.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every immigration case must be evaluated individually, and no firm can guarantee visa approval. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.