The U.S. Department of State Releases Final Rule on Diversity Immigrant Visa Program

The U.S. immigration landscape sees yet another major update in the final rule issued by the U.S. Department of State on the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program. Published in March 2026, this rule, titled “Visas: Enhancing Vetting and Combatting Fraud in the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program,” adds some new important revisions.

As always, our EB-1A consultants have analyzed this rule in detail and discussed everything you need to know.

What is the diversity visa program?

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the “Green Card Lottery,” provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the program aims to promote diversity in the U.S. immigrant population while upholding fairness through a randomized selection process.

However, with millions of applicants each year, the system has also been vulnerable to a myriad of fraud and compliance issues that the new rule directly addresses. In essence, the new rule directly develops some countermeasures for these issues.

Important highlights of the final rule

Mandatory passport requirement

One of the most important revisions in the final rule is the reintroduction of the passport requirement.

Applicants must now:

Provide a valid, unexpired passport number
Submit a scan of the passport’s biographical page

This requirement will apply starting with the DV-2027 program. The Federal Register disclosed that the move is incorporated to strengthen identity verification and reduce fraudulent entries.

Enhanced vetting and fraud prevention

The core objective of this revision is to combat fraud and strengthen system integrity.

Historically, the system has experienced several fraudulent practices, including:

Multiple entries under different identities
Fake documentation submitted through third-party agents
Organized “entry mills” exploiting applicants

These regulatory updates are intended to “enhance vetting” and ensure that only genuine applicants participate.

Interestingly, the revision of requiring passport data upfront greatly reduces large-scale fraud by making identity fabrication more difficult.

Changes in language and data validity

The final rule also introduces a few technical and important updates:

“Gender” is replaced with “sex.”
“Age” is replaced with “date of birth.

To quote the Federal Register, here are linguistic changes that have been introduced:

‘Additionally, the Department is standardizing and amending its regulations to add the word “shall” to simplify guidance for consular officers; ensure the use of the term “sex” in lieu of “gender”; and replace the term “age” in the DV Program regulations with the phrase “date of birth” to accurately reflect the information collected and maintained by the Department during the immigrant visa process.’

Additional compliance actions

The final rule has also introduced the following further measures:

A nominal registration fee (reported as $1) to discourage frivolous or bulk entries
Limited exemptions to the passport requirement (e.g., stateless individuals or persons unable to obtain passports)
Delays in DV-2027 registration timelines to allow applicants time to comply with new requirements

These measures jointly seek to establish a more secure and credible selection process.

Final thoughts

The 2026 final rule by the U.S. Department of State acts as an essential change in how the Diversity Visa Program operates. With these sets of reforms, the government intends to preserve the program’s integrity within an increasingly complex immigration environment.

A thorough breakdown published on JD Supra shows that the final rule fits into a broader regulatory trend emphasizing program integrity. Though the DV program remains an integral immigration pathway, authorities are more and more focused on verifying that every application is authentic and verifiable.

For more insights, news, and analysis, stay tuned to our blog section. For personalized consultation on merit-based pathways, get in touch with our EB-1A experts. We wish you a safe and stress-free immigration journey ahead.

Sources & Further Readings

U.S. Department of State.““Visas: Enhancing Vetting and Combatting Fraud in the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.”" Federal Register, March 11, 2026.
JD Supra “Diversity Immigrant Visa Program Update." JD Supra

Don’t Delete Your Social Media: What H-1, H-2 & H-3 Visa Holders Should Know

For years, visa interviews focused on paperwork, intent, and credentials. Today, however, your smartphone may matter as much as your passport. According to immigration attorneys cited by The Times of India and other news outlets, U.S. border officers are increasingly scrutinising the social media activity of foreign nationals, including holders of H-1 (speciality occupation), H-2 (temporary workers), and H-3 (trainees) visas.

EB-1A vs. EB-2 NIW vs. O-1A: Which Path Is Right for You?

Merit-based pathways are undoubtedly the best ways to secure permanent residency in the U.S. But, there are differences and variations within the merit-based pathways themselves. There are at least three merit-based immigration avenues in the U.S. that an applicant can pursue by leveraging their genius. In this blog, we break down these three prominent options: EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, and O-1A. In this overview, you will get a clear account of their criteria and some common use case scenarios.

Why Was This EB-1A Appeal Denied? And What Every Petitioner Must Learn From It

On March 9, 2026, the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) issued Non-Precedent Decision MAR092026_02B2203, dismissing an appeal in an EB-1A Alien of Extraordinary Ability petition. The decision, publicly available through the USCIS Error and Appeals Records repository, is a textbook example of why self-filed and inadequately prepared EB-1A petitions collapse, even when the underlying professional credentials seem strong on paper.

EB-1A Readiness Audit: 5 Brutally Honest Questions Before You File I-140

If you are contemplating filing your I-140 petition under EB-1A, you are likely at a crossroads. Though the EB-1A “extraordinary ability” route offers one of the most direct paths to a U.S. green card (without a job offer and without PERM), it is anything but easy. In 2025–2026, approval standards have tightened, and USCIS now evaluates not just whether you technically satisfy categories, but whether you truly stand at the top of your field. That’s why, before you submit, you need a readiness audit. Below are 5 brutally honest questions from our EB-1A consultants that every applicant should answer before filing.

US Immigration Authorities Claim OPT Visa Fraud Involving Thousands of Students

In a joint operation, US Immigration & Customs Enforcement and USCIS have claimed widespread fraud in the Optional Practical Training or OPT visa program that spreads across thousands of foreign students and dubitable employers across the United States. Recently, at a Press Conference, ICE Director Todd Lyons reported that investigations have churned up empty offices, fake work locations that allegedly promised to employ international students despite absence of any real business activities.

Mass Revocations of Student Visa & Its Impact on The Immigration Landscape

In recent times, more than 6000 student visas have faced revocation from the State Department under the Trump Administration.

Why Are So Many H-1B Visa Holders Stuck in India?

Over hundreds of Indian professionals on H-1B visas are stranded in India after their visa appointments were abruptly cancelled and postponed. They are currently unable to return to their jobs after travelling to India for visa renewals this month.

Elon Musk Joins The H-1B Debate With a Controversial Remark: Americans Can’t Do Challenging Physical Work

In the boiling cauldron of H-1B, Elon Musk adds his latest spice. In a controversial remark, he voiced that there is a dearth of individuals in America who are capable of performing demanding physical labour. His remark additionally emphasises that the Americans are often unwilling to undergo specialised training for such roles.

UK to Effect Visa Ban on Nations That Refuse to Take Back Their Deported Citizens

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has recently stepped in with a big announcement last Monday. She spoke of an effective visa ban on countries unless they accept the deported criminals and illegal immigrants, i.e. inhabitants of their own nations.

The Nature of EB-1A Publications & How You Can Strengthen Your Case

A strong publication record is a great asset to your EB-1A case. It not only speaks on behalf of your case, but also works as a powerful piece of evidence of extraordinary ability and outstanding contribution to your field. Yet a lot of professionals miss the real nature of the EB-1A publication, which can essentially contextualize and establish your contribution on firmer ground. This ignorance springs from the general awareness of how publication is evaluated by USCIS in the EB-1A context. This is exactly what our EB-1A experts are going to outline today.

(+1) 469 463 5461

The U.S. Department of State Releases Final Rule on Diversity Immigrant Visa Program

What is the diversity visa program?