How much does the US Green Card lottery cost? Diversity Visa Program fees update

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced that starting October 16, 2025, anyone signing up for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, also known as the "Green Card Lottery", needs to pay the $1 fee for electronic registration. This marks the first instance where there is a charge just to enter the annual lottery.

Read this article to find out everything you need to know about the DV Lottery 2025 registration fee.

Table of contents

• Is there a fee to enter the DV lottery?
• Official US fees for DV lottery winners
• Additional Green Card costs to consider
• Get your DV lottery photo online!
• Green Card Photo App
• DV lottery scam warning
• FAQs

Is there a fee to enter the DV lottery?

Does the DV Lottery cost money? Yes, starting October 16, 2025, there is a $1 fee for submitting your electronic registration for the DV Lottery. This payment must be made during the submission process on the official U.S. government website. Previously, entering the lottery was free, but this marks the first time a fee is required for participation. The $330 visa application fee for those who are selected has not changed.

Official US fees for DV lottery winners

The official U.S. fees for DV Lottery winners currently are:

• DS-260 immigrant visa application fee: currently $330 per applicant. This fee is paid to the U.S. Department of State when you apply for your visa at the consulate. Please note that this fee may be subject to updates.
• USCIS immigrant fee: $235, payable to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services after you receive your immigrant visa. It's strongly advised to pay this fee before you travel to the U.S., though you can opt to pay upon arrival. If you choose to pay after arriving, you will receive a notice with payment instructions. Please be aware that your Green Card will not be issued until the USCIS immigrant fee is paid.

Additional Green Card costs to consider

Besides the official government fees, those chosen in the lottery will need to cover several additional expenses:

• Medical examination
  The immigration medical exam, which is mandatory, typically costs between $250 and $650 as of 2025. This fee covers the physical check-up, lab tests such as those for TB and syphilis, any necessary vaccinations, and the completion of USCIS Form I-693. Costs can vary based on where you go and who performs the exam.

• Document translations and certifications
  If you have documents that need translation, the costs will depend on how many documents there are and their languages. The price typically ranges from $20 to over $100 per document.

• Travel expenses
  You'll need to budget for airfare to the United States and any travel required for interviews or follow-up visits at the embassy. These costs will vary based on your starting point, destination, and travel options.

You might also incur costs for professional passport-style photos, acquiring official copies of documents, and sending items through mail or courier services.

Get your DV lottery photo online!

To boost your chances of winning the Green Card Lottery, it's crucial to have a perfect application, especially when it comes to your photos. With tools like Visafoto, you can ensure your photo meets all requirements. Since 2013, Visafoto has been creating passport, visa, and ID photos for people worldwide.

Here's how it works: take a picture in daylight using your phone or camera, and upload it to Visafoto.com. The service will automatically tweak the background, adjust the resolution, fix color settings, and crop the image to meet the needed dimensions.

Here is an example of a photo you can upload:

When you use this service, you'll receive a digital version for online submission, plus a version fit for printing. If you're dissatisfied with the photo, we'll replace it at no extra cost. If the photo is rejected by officials, you'll be eligible for a full refund.

Green Card Photo App

Easily create the perfect photo for the Green Card Lottery with the 7ID Photo App, available for iPhone and Android. This app, powered by Visafoto.com, ensures your photo complies with DV program requirements.

Upload your photo, select your country and document type, such as the US Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, and let the 7ID DV Lottery Photo Editor App do the rest. The app offers:

• Automatic resizing: your photo will be cropped to meet DV Lottery size rules, with correct positioning for your head and eyes, and a suitable file format.
• Background adjustments: the app efficiently changes challenging backgrounds to a plain white one.
• 24/7 support: if you're unhappy with your photo, contact customer support directly through the app for a free replacement.
• Plus, 7ID provides a free photo check to guarantee compliance with DV Lottery guidelines.

Additionally, the 7ID app now features a secure way to store your DV Program confirmation code. Simply use the "DV Program Sidekick" function in the app: enter your verification number and tap "Save". This feature helps you track your DV Lottery status, consolidating everything you need in one convenient app.

DV lottery scam warning

Follow these tips to protect yourself from fraud and ensure that your application for a Green Card through the Diversity Visa Lottery is safe and legitimate:

• Submit entries only on the official website. Make sure to submit your Diversity Visa Lottery application exclusively at the official U.S. Department of State website: dvprogram.state.gov. This is the only valid website for entering the lottery.
• Be cautious of scams. Be wary of individuals, websites, or agencies that charge fees for lottery entry or guarantee you'll win. Starting in 2025, the Green Card lottery entry fee is just $1, and it is paid directly on the official site.
• No direct notifications from the State Department. The State Department will not contact you via email, letter, or phone to inform you of a win. Always check your entry status using your confirmation number on the official website.
• Ignore false winning notifications. Any message claiming you've won, received outside of the official platform, is likely a scam. Avoid paying any fees or giving out personal information to unverified sources.
• Keep your confirmation number safe. Always keep your confirmation number secure so you can check your status directly on the official website. To do so, use the "DV Program Sidekick" function in the 7ID app.

FAQs

Is the DV Lottery entry free?

No, entering the DV Lottery is no longer free. From October 16, 2025, you'll need to pay a $1 registration fee to enter via the official U.S. government site.

Are DV lottery fees the same in every country?

The US Green Card lottery prices are consistent across all countries. Both the $1 entry fee and the $330 visa application fee are the same worldwide and must be paid in U.S. dollars through official channels.

What is the total average cost for a DV Lottery winner?

On average, a winner pays a DV Lottery total cost of $331: $1 for entering the lottery and $330 for the visa application. This excludes optional agent fees or mandatory expenses like medical exams and travel.

When are fees paid – before or after winning?

You'll pay the $1 registration fee when you sign up online. The $330 application fee is due only after you've won and are applying for the visa.

Are fees refundable if denied?

No, both the $1 registration fee and the $330 Diversity Visa application fee are non-refundable, even if your application is denied.

Can someone else pay the fees on my behalf?

Yes, another person can pay the $1 registration fee for you, but you must still submit your entry through the official U.S. government website. Green Card Lottery payment must be made electronically during registration.