A federal judge in San Diego has ordered the U.S. Department of State to reopen the 2027 Diversity Visa lottery, reviving a chance at permanent U.S. residence for up to 55,000 applicants after the government failed to launch the program's registration period on schedule.
Judge Steps In After Registration Never Opened
U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta issued the preliminary injunction Wednesday, as reported by NBC 6 South Florida. According to Courthouse News Service, Ohta's injunction restores the opportunity for up to 55,000 people from around the world to enter the program, commonly known as the green card lottery, though its website was not yet open on October 16, 2026.
The Trump administration, which has opposed the program, did not open the registration period on time and had argued it was too late to do so, per the same account from Courthouse News Service. The ruling requires the registration period to stay open for 30 days once it finally begins, and it directs the State Department to accept eligible electronic entries and process selected applicants under its usual procedures until all available visas are issued or the fiscal year ends in September 2027.
A Lawsuit Months in the Making
The case traces back to a lawsuit that Red Eagle Law filed against Secretary of State Marco Rubio in August, seeking to force the registration period open, Courthouse News Service reports. The dispute followed a State Department announcement from November 5, 2025, that it was changing parts of the DV-2027 entry process and would publish new registration dates later, according to GoElite.
On its own website, the State Department says it is implementing certain changes to the Diversity Visa entry process and will announce the start date for the DV-2027 registration period as soon as practicable. Courthouse News Service reported an October 15 deadline for the announcement, while GoElite described a modified schedule requiring it by October 29.
Who the Lottery Serves
The Diversity Visa program offers permanent residence to up to 55,000 applicants annually from countries with historically lower levels of immigration to the United States, according to Bloomberg Law. GoElite likewise describes the program as providing up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually, subject to statutory adjustments.
Registration for the lottery is free and must be completed exclusively through the official State Department portal, Infobae notes, underscoring that applicants should be wary of third parties charging fees for entry. Reported timelines differ: Courthouse News Service said an announcement was due October 15, Bloomberg Law said the lottery must open by October 18 and remain open through November 19, and GoElite described a modified schedule calling for an October 29 announcement and a November 1 opening. For now, the court's order stands as the mechanism forcing the State Department's hand, with the agency required to notify selected applicants and process their cases under standard procedures through the end of the 2027 fiscal year.
