The U.S. State Department will begin charging a $1 fee to register for the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery. The new charge was published as a final rule in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025, and is expected to take effect 30 days after publication.
Until now, entering the DV lottery has been free, and only those chosen to apply for a visa paid the $330 application fee. Under the new rule, everyone who submits an entry will pay $1 at the time of registration. The $330 application fee for selected applicants will stay the same. With about 25 million people entering the lottery each year, the Department expects to raise around $25 million annually to cover the cost of running the program.
The State Department says the $1 charge reflects the actual cost of operating the lottery, such as maintaining computer systems, storing data, conducting the random draw, and performing security checks. These costs were previously folded into the $330 application fee paid by a small group of successful entrants. By introducing a small charge for all registrants, the Department aims to share the cost more fairly and reduce fraudulent or speculative entries.
The rule is based on Section 636 of Public Law 104-208, which authorises the Secretary of State to collect and retain a Diversity Immigrant Lottery Fee to pay for the cost of allocating visas and processing applications. The Department also cites its general authority under 31 U.S.C. 9701 to set user charges for government services, and 22 U.S.C. 4219, which allows the President to set consular fees and delegate that power to the Secretary of State. Because visa issuance is considered a foreign affairs function, the Department issued the rule without public comment under the Administrative Procedure Act.
Officials say the $1 fee is too small to create any real burden. It does not affect small businesses or local governments, is not a “major rule” under the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, and has been deemed “not significant” under Executive Order 12866.
For applicants, the process will look much the same. All entrants will pay $1 online at the time of registration. Those who are selected will still pay the $330 visa application fee later in the process. The Department plans to review the application fee in a future update to its Cost of Service Model to decide if it should be adjusted.
Diversity Visa Lottery – New $1 Registration Fee FAQs
Here are answers to the most common questions about the new Diversity Visa lottery registration fee.
When does the $1 fee start?
The fee takes effect 30 days after the rule’s publication in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025. It will apply to the next DV lottery registration period.
Who has to pay it?
Everyone submitting an entry to the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery must pay $1 at the time of registration.
How is the fee paid?
Payment will be made online through an official U.S. Government payment portal during the electronic DV lottery entry process.
Does this affect the $330 Diversity Visa application fee?
No. The $330 application fee for applicants selected in the lottery remains the same.
Why is the fee being added?
The State Department says the $1 covers the cost of operating the lottery — maintaining systems, storing data, randomising entries and performing security checks — and helps deter fraudulent mass registrations.
How much will the Department collect?
With about 25 million entries a year, the Department expects to collect roughly $25 million annually to fund the lottery’s operation.
Will the $330 application fee go down?
Not right away. The Department plans to review its fees in a future update to its Cost of Service Model and may adjust the application fee later.
Does the new fee affect small businesses or governments?
No. The rule states it does not have a significant economic impact on small entities or local governments.
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