The Green Card Lottery Just Got a Fee? Here’s What You Need to Know.
For years, the U.S. Diversity Visa Program, often called the Green Card Lottery, has been a beacon of hope for people around the world. It offered a free chance to win the opportunity to live and work in the United States.
But a major change has just been announced that you need to be aware of before you apply. The process is no longer entirely free.
That's right. The U.S. government has just implemented a new $1 application fee to register for the Diversity Visa lottery.
While a single dollar might seem like a small amount, this marks a big shift in the program.
Why the Change?
According to the U.S. Department of State, this new fee is being introduced to help cover the administrative costs of running the massive lottery program. Think of it this way: millions of people enter the lottery each year, but only a small percentage are selected. In the past, the costs of processing all these entries were paid for by the fees of the people who were actually selected and moved forward with their visa application.
Now, with the new $1 fee, the cost of running the lottery is shared more fairly among all who register. The government also hopes this new fee will help to reduce fraudulent or fake entries.
What This Means For You
Don't let this new fee discourage you! The Diversity Visa program still offers a life-changing opportunity. Here's what you should know to prepare for the next application period:
It's a small, non-refundable fee. You will need to pay $1 when you submit your electronic entry. This fee is for the registration itself and will not be refunded, even if you are not selected in the lottery.
The visa fee remains separate. This new $1 fee is only for the initial registration. If you are one of the lucky few selected, you will still have to pay the much larger visa application fee later on in the process.
Stay vigilant against scams. The introduction of this fee means you must be extra careful. The only place to register and pay is on the official U.S. government website. Any other website or person asking for a fee to "help you apply" is a scam.
In a world where scams are everywhere, remember this key rule: the official government site is the only place you should be entering your information and making a payment.
This new fee is a small but important update to a program that has changed so many lives. For anyone with dreams of moving to the U.S., staying informed and prepared is the first step toward making that dream a reality.
