United States Updates Diversity Visa Entry Rules

The U.S. Department of State is tightening the application process for the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. Starting April 10, 2026, all applicants must provide valid, unexpired passport information at the time of entry. This change, finalized in March, aims to curb fraudulent activity and eliminate duplicate entries, which reached record highs in recent years.

Under the updated rules, you can no longer submit a lottery entry and wait until the selection phase to obtain a passport. You must now upload a JPEG scan of your passport’s biographic and signature page, ensuring the file is under 5 MB. These requirements will apply to the DV-2027 program cycle.

Who this affects

This update primarily impacts foreign nationals from countries with lower immigration rates to the U.S. who are seeking permanent residency. If you are a digital nomad or expat from an eligible country looking to secure a green card, you must have your travel documents ready before the registration period opens.

Current tourists, short-term travelers, or those on B1/B2 visas are not affected by this change. The new rule only applies to those specifically entering the annual visa lottery.

What you need to do

If you plan to enter the upcoming lottery, start by checking your passport's expiration date. Because the registration window is often short, it is best to renew early if your document is nearing its end.

• Ensure you have a high-quality JPEG scan of your passport biographic page.
• Budget for the $1 registration fee finalized in the latest policy updates.
• Submit your entry electronically via the official E-DV website, as paper entries are no longer accepted.
• Keep your confirmation number in a safe place to check your status later.

Exemptions are rare and generally limited to stateless individuals or those from specific government-controlled countries where obtaining a passport is impossible. For most travelers, having a valid passport is now a non-negotiable first step for nomad news and immigration planning.

Read our full United States guide for the complete picture.