What Is the $1 Fee for Registering for the Green Card Lottery?
The $1 fee is a new charge for submitting an entry in the U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Program, also known as the Green Card Lottery. It is paid by the main applicant only at the time of registration and is separate from any later visa fee.[travel.state][federalregister]
What is the $1 fee?
The U.S. Department of State introduced a $1.00 Diversity Visa Registration Fee for people submitting an entry through the official E-DV system. The fee is paid when the application is submitted, before the entry is completed.[govinfo][dvlotteryusa]
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| DV registration fee | $1.00 |
| Who pays it | The main applicant only |
| When it is paid | At the time of registration |
| Where it is paid | Through the authorized U.S. government payment portal |
| Family members | They do not pay a separate $1 fee |
What does it cover?
According to the official Federal Register notice, the $1 fee helps cover the cost of operating the Diversity Visa program, including:
- Maintaining the online entry system
- Data storage
- Running the random selection process
- Security checks and related processing.[govinfo]
The U.S. Department of State says the goal is to distribute the growing cost of managing the program more fairly among people who apply.[govinfo]
Is this different from the visa fee?
Yes. The $1 fee is only for registering in the lottery. It is completely different from the $330 Diversity Visa application fee, which is paid later by a person who has been selected and is applying for an immigrant visa.[dvlotteryusa][visafortheunitedstates]
| Payment | Amount | When it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Entry in the DV lottery | $1 | At the time of submission |
| Immigrant visa application | $330 | Only after selection, if the person decides to apply |
Important warning
Be careful with websites or agents that ask for large payments to “register” you for the Green Card Lottery. The official U.S. government says there is no cost to enter the DV Program and encourages people to complete the form themselves without using a “Visa Consultant” or “Visa Agent.”[travel.state]
Avoid anyone who promises:
- Guaranteed selection
- A “guaranteed green card”
- A special paid slot for submitting an entry
- A guaranteed visa after selection
Even if someone is selected, they must still meet all eligibility requirements and complete the official process.[govinfo][aila]
Bottom line
The $1 fee is a small registration charge for entering the U.S. Diversity Visa Program. It is paid by the main applicant at the time of submission and is separate from the later $330 visa application fee.[travel.state][dvlotteryusa]