US Court Orders DV Lottery 2027 Registration to Open After Months of Delay

Kathmandu, October 15, 2026: A United States federal judge has ordered the US Department of State to open registration for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery 2027, following months of uncertainty over the program's delayed application process.

On Wednesday, US District Judge Jinsook Ohta granted a preliminary injunction directing the State Department to announce and open registration for the program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery.

The ruling comes after the US government failed to announce the registration period for DV-2027, raising concerns among prospective applicants worldwide, including those in Nepal.

Court Orders Registration to Resume

The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by Red Eagle Law, a California-based immigration law firm, against US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The firm challenged the State Department's failure to establish a registration period for DV-2027.

Judge Ohta found that the department's continued inaction was likely unlawful and that the delay had effectively prevented the congressionally authorized lottery from proceeding.

The court ordered the government to publicly announce the registration period and open applications.

The registration window must remain available for at least 30 days, giving eligible applicants an opportunity to submit their entries.

Why Was DV Lottery 2027 Delayed?

The Diversity Visa program generally opens registration during the fall, allowing eligible applicants from qualifying countries to participate in a random selection process.

However, the State Department did not open registration for DV-2027 during the expected period.

In November 2025, the department announced that it was implementing changes to the application process and would announce registration dates later.

The continued delay eventually led to legal action challenging the government's failure to proceed with the program.

What Does the Ruling Mean for Nepali Applicants?

The court's decision is important for Nepalis interested in applying for the US Diversity Visa program.

Under the ruling, the State Department must establish a registration period so eligible applicants can participate.

However, the court order does not automatically mean that applications are already open.

Applicants should wait for an official announcement from the US State Department confirming the registration dates and instructions.

The ruling also does not guarantee that anyone who applies will receive a visa.

Up to 55,000 Immigrant Visas Available Annually

The Diversity Visa program provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually to eligible applicants from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States.

Applicants are selected through a randomized process, but selection alone does not guarantee permanent residency.

Selected applicants must meet eligibility requirements, complete the necessary immigration procedures, and receive visa approval.

For the DV-2027 program, the visa issuance period is scheduled to end on September 30, 2027.

Where Can Applicants Check Official Updates?

Applicants should follow announcements from the US Department of State rather than relying on unofficial registration dates circulating online.

Official information:

• US Diversity Visa Program

• Official DV Lottery Application Portal

The court's decision requires the government to move forward with the registration process, although applicants should verify the actual opening date through official channels.

Editorial note: Reports confirm the October 14 court ruling, but published accounts differ on the exact implementation deadlines. The official registration opening should be confirmed before reporting that applications are live.