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Tengrinews.kz – Starting from September 16, registration for the green card lottery (Diversity Visa Lottery) will become paid.
This was announced by the U.S. Department of State in a published final rule. From now on, applicants will have to pay $1 to submit the form. Previously, participation in the lottery was completely free.
Why the fee is introduced
According to the U.S. Department of State, the small fee of $1 is intended to “fairly distribute the cost of running the lottery among all participants.” Previously, administrative expenses (processing millions of applications, data storage, automated selection) were covered only by those who won and advanced to the next stage, where they paid a $330 consular fee.
“This change will also help to reduce specious registrations by actors seeking to exploit unsuspecting potential entrants,” the document states.
How this affects participants’ chances
The Department of State believes that the new fee will help reduce fake applications, making the process more transparent and potentially increasing the chances for genuine applicants who apply independently and are truly interested in obtaining a visa.
Each year, about 20–25 million applications are submitted to the lottery. However, only around 55,000 winners are selected, as mandated by law.
The new fee will apply starting with the next lottery cycle.
What is the green card?
The Green Card is an official document granting permanent resident status in the United States. It gives the holder the right to:
- live and work in the U.S. without restrictions,
- receive social benefits,
- and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship.
The Diversity Visa Lottery is held annually and is open to citizens of countries with low levels of immigration to the U.S., including Kazakhstan.
