The United States is yet to open the Diversity Visa (DV) 2027 entry registration period, according to the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs.
The clarification followed the reports that the upcoming Green Card Lottery registration had opened.
In the statement, the government announced that DV-2027 application dates have not yet been released, and the entry registration period remains closed.
It warned the public about the widespread misinformation online regarding claims that registration was open, stating these claims are fraudulent.
“The Diversity Visa (DV) 2027 entry registration period is not open at this time. We are aware of reports of fraudulent claims that the DV-2027 entry is open and of individuals and services falsely claiming they can increase your chances of selection. This is not true," the statement reads.
The U.S. government noted that the Department of State will announce any changes to the DV-2027 registration dates and details about changes to the process.
"DV-2027 registration dates and details about changes to this year’s process will be announced by the Department of State when available,” it added.
The statement came after the U.S. government introduced processing fees to the Diversity Visa lottery programme.
Kenyans and other foreign nationals who will be applying for the DV-2027 programme will be required to pay a $1 (Ksh130) electronic registration fee when submitting their entry.
This will be the first time applicants will be required to make a payment to enter the programme, and it will take place with the new registration period when the application is open.
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced on October 8 that the new fee will be in addition to the mandatory $330 (Ksh42,619) application fee paid by applicants who are selected for interviews.
According to DOS, the new policy seeks to share the administrative costs more fairly across all registrants rather than placing the financial burden solely on those selected to continue with visa applications.
The Department added that registration fees will not be refunded, regardless of lottery results or whether applicants move forward with a visa application. Further, fees cannot be transferred between lottery years.
