US Judge Orders Trump Administration to Open 2027 Green Card Lottery by November 1; Selection Deadline Set for December 3
Washington: A federal judge in the United States has ordered the administration of President Donald Trump to open registration for the 2027 Diversity Immigrant Visa Programme, widely known as the Green Card Lottery, by November 1. The court has also directed the US Department of State to announce the registration schedule by October 29 and notify selected applicants by December 3.
The ruling, issued by US District Judge Jinsook Ohta of the Southern District of California, follows legal action challenging the delay in launching the annual immigration programme. The lawsuit argued that the failure to begin registration on time could jeopardise the programme for the 2027 fiscal year.
Under the revised schedule reported on October 14, the State Department must provide a 30-day electronic registration window. The department is also required to process eligible entries and applications within the framework established by the court, subject to the available visa allocation and the September 30, 2027, fiscal-year deadline.
Court Sets Deadlines for Registration
The court's order establishes a series of deadlines for the administration to follow. The State Department must announce the registration period no later than October 29, open the electronic entry window by November 1 and notify selected applicants by December 3.
The schedule follows an earlier proposed timeline that set earlier deadlines for registration and notification. The deadlines were subsequently revised after a joint request, according to reports on the court proceedings.
The legal challenge was brought by Red Eagle Law, which argued that the government's failure to launch registration threatened the implementation of the Diversity Visa programme. During the proceedings, the administration argued that statutory deadlines had already been missed and that conducting the lottery within the remaining period presented difficulties.
Judge Ohta's order seeks to ensure that the registration process moves forward despite the delay. The State Department will be required to follow the court's directions and the applicable programme rules.
What Is the Green Card Lottery?
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Programme is a US immigration initiative established under federal law. It provides an opportunity for eligible individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States to seek permanent resident status.
The programme has traditionally made up to 55,000 diversity visas available annually, although the final number may be lower because of statutory adjustments and other legal requirements.
Applicants submit electronic entries during the designated registration period. The US government then uses a random selection process to identify potential candidates. Those selected can proceed to the next stage only if they satisfy the programme's eligibility rules and complete the required application process.
Selection in the lottery does not automatically grant a Green Card or guarantee that a visa will be issued. Applicants must meet the applicable education or work-experience criteria, provide the required documentation, undergo background checks and satisfy the consular officer that they qualify for an immigrant visa.
Important Information for Indian Applicants
Indian readers should pay particular attention to the programme's country-of-birth rules. India has been excluded from eligibility in recent Diversity Visa programme years because of the country's level of immigration to the United States. The final country eligibility list and official instructions for DV-2027 should be checked before anyone attempts to register.
Eligibility is generally based on the applicant's country of birth rather than citizenship or current residence. Certain applicants born in an otherwise ineligible country may qualify through an eligible spouse's country of birth or, under specific conditions, through a parent's country of birth. These exceptions are subject to detailed rules, and applicants should not assume that living in another country makes them eligible.
Anyone considering an entry should consult the US Department of State's official Diversity Visa website and the final DV-2027 instructions. Applicants should be cautious of unofficial websites, agents or individuals promising guaranteed selection.
Registration and Visa Issuance Are Separate Stages
The court-ordered registration schedule concerns the opening of entries and notification of selected applicants. It should not be interpreted as a guarantee that visa issuance will proceed without restrictions.
In an update published on August 31, 2026, the US Department of State said that diversity visa issuance had been paused effective immediately while the department reviewed screening and vetting procedures. Applicants should therefore check the latest official guidance for any subsequent changes affecting interviews, processing and the issuance of visas.
The distinction is important because a person may be selected through the lottery but still face additional requirements or restrictions before receiving a visa. Selection alone does not confer immigration status or authorise entry into the United States.
What Happens Next?
The next major dates in the court-ordered schedule are October 29 for the registration announcement, November 1 for the opening of the electronic entry period and December 3 for notification of selected applicants. The registration window is expected to remain open for 30 days under the order.
The case highlights the legal and administrative challenges surrounding the implementation of the Diversity Visa programme for fiscal year 2027. The court's intervention is intended to ensure that eligible applicants have an opportunity to submit entries despite the delay.
Prospective applicants should rely on official US government announcements for confirmation of the registration portal, deadlines, eligibility criteria and any changes to visa processing. They should also remember that the programme is subject to federal immigration law and that selection does not guarantee permanent residency.
The implementation of the court's order and any further developments from the State Department will determine how the 2027 Green Card Lottery proceeds in the coming weeks.
