18/10/2025
More Updates On DV Lottery. Read Carefully
U.S. Adds $1 Entry Fee to Diversity Visa Lottery Applications
Effective October 16, 2025
The U.S. government has introduced a $1 entry fee for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program, marking the first time participants must pay to submit their online entries. The change took effect on October 16, 2025, and applies to all applicants worldwide.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the small fee aims to reduce fraudulent applications and support administrative costs of running the program, which offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas each year to people from countries with low immigration rates to the United States.
Applicants must pay the $1 fee online using a Visa or debit card during the registration process on the official DV Lottery website. The payment must be made for each individual entry, and group or shared payments are not allowed.
Singles: Each individual applicant pays $1 for one entry.
Couples: Each spouse must submit their own entry and pay $1 each, even if they list one another as their spouse on the application. This gives both partners a separate chance to be selected.
Families: A main applicant pays $1 for an entry that includes their spouse and unmarried children under 21. If the spouse also applies separately, they must pay another $1 for their own entry. Children do not pay unless they are applying individually.
The State Department confirmed that an applicant may use another person’s debit or credit card to pay the fee, as long as the cardholder gives permission. However, officials strongly advise applicants to use their own card whenever possible and to apply only through the official U.S. government website to avoid scams.
The $1 payment covers only the entry submission. If selected, applicants will still need to pay additional visa and processing fees later in the immigration process.
