Green Card application fee Kenya now includes a $1 electronic registration fee starting in October 2025. This new fee is part of the Diversity Visa (DV) program changes, which could affect many Kenyans who apply for the Green Card lottery in the upcoming months.
The Diversity Visa program offers 55,000 immigrant visas each year, allowing individuals and families to gain permanent residency (Green Card) in the United States. While the program remains largely the same, this new fee change will affect all applicants starting with the DV-2027 lottery, which opens in October 2025.
Why the Fee Was Introduced for the Diversity Visa Program
The $1 registration fee was introduced to help cover the costs of administering the lottery program. According to the U.S. Department of State, this fee ensures a more equitable distribution of costs across all registrants. Previously, the costs were mainly borne by the small percentage of successful applicants who proceeded with their visa applications. The new fee ensures that everyone applying for the program contributes equally.
The new rule, which was published in the Federal Register in September 2025, will come into effect during the DV-2027 registration period in October. This means that anyone applying for the DV lottery from October 2025 onward will need to pay the registration fee, while previous lotteries (DV-2026 and earlier) remain unaffected.
Changes to the Green Card Lottery
The new fee is part of broader changes to how the DV lottery program is funded and managed. Here’s what you need to know about the DV-2027 application process and the new fee:
- Registration Fee: Starting in October 2025, applicants will need to pay $1 when submitting their entry for the DV-2027 lottery.
- Application Process: The registration process itself remains largely the same, where individuals can apply online and submit their details, including biographic information, photos, and family details.
- Payment Method: The $1 registration fee will be collected through a U.S. government payment portal at the time of registration, prior to completing the application.
Who is Affected by the Fee?
The new $1 fee will apply to all applicants entering the DV-2027 lottery, regardless of whether they are selected or not. Only successful applicants who are chosen in the lottery and proceed with the visa process will later pay the $330 immigrant visa application fee when they apply for the visa at the U.S. embassy.
This new fee means that every person applying for the lottery will need to pay $1 upfront, making the process slightly more costly for those who regularly apply, even if they do not get selected.
What Are the Requirements for DV-2027?
To be eligible for the DV-2027 program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Country of birth: Applicants must be born in a country with historically low immigration rates to the U.S. Kenya is typically eligible, but if a person’s country is not eligible, they may still qualify through a spouse or parent who is from an eligible country.
- Education or work experience: Applicants must have at least a high school education or two years of work experience in the last five years in a job that requires at least two years of training or experience.
- Age: There is no specific age requirement for applying, but most applicants must meet the educational or work experience criteria, which disqualifies most individuals under 18.
Key Dates for the DV-2027 Lottery
- Application period: The DV-2027 application period opens in October 2025. The exact dates will be confirmed by the U.S. Department of State closer to the opening.
- Selection notification: Those who apply can check their DV lottery status starting in May 2026 using a confirmation number provided after submitting the application.
- Visa issuance: All selected individuals and their families must complete the visa process and have their visas issued by September 30, 2027.
How to Apply for the DV-2027 Lottery
Here is a summary of how to apply for the DV-2027 lottery:
- Prepare your application: Gather all required information, including your biographic data, recent photos, and details about your family.
- Submit your application online during the registration period, which runs from October to November 2025.
- Pay the $1 fee as part of the registration process. This fee is collected electronically during the submission.
- Save your confirmation number: After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation screen with a unique confirmation number. This number is crucial for checking your status.
You can check your status starting in May 2026 by entering your confirmation number on the official U.S. Department of State website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the Green Card lottery still “free”?
No, the $1 registration fee has replaced the free entry system. The $330 visa application fee is still required only if you are selected and proceed with the visa application.
2. When does the fee get paid?
The $1 fee is paid at the time of registration, before you complete and submit your entry.
3. Does the fee affect my chances of winning?
No, the $1 fee does not affect your chances of being selected. It is simply to help cover the administrative costs of the program.
4. If selected, when must my visa be issued?
If you are selected in the DV-2027 lottery, you and your family members must have your visas issued by September 30, 2027.
Conclusion
Starting in October 2025, Kenyans entering the DV-2027 Green Card lottery will need to pay a $1 registration fee at the time of entry, while the $330 visa application fee will only be due if they are selected. This change makes the application process slightly more expensive, but it ensures a fairer distribution of program costs. Mark your calendars for October 2025 and get ready to submit your application for a chance to secure a Green Card in the U.S.
