May 19, 2025
A new immigration proposal making its way through the U.S. House Judiciary Committee could soon impose steep new fees on applicants to the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, a program that has long offered a low-cost, legal pathway to permanent residency in the United States.
As part of the newly introduced “Big, Beautiful Border Security Act,” lawmakers are proposing a dramatic shift in how the DV Lottery is administered. Currently, the entry to the program is free, allowing millions of hopeful applicants from around the world to participate each year. Under the new legislation, the entry fee would be set at $250 per person—a move immigration experts say could put the American Dream out of reach for many.
In addition to the proposed entry fee, the legislation calls for an increase in the Diversity Visa application fee for winners, raising it from $330 to $400 per person. These changes, if passed, would mark the first time in the program’s history that such high barriers to entry are imposed on applicants—many of whom come from lower-income or politically unstable countries.
Each year, millions of people apply to the DV Lottery, which randomly selects up to 55,000 individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the U.S. For many, this is their only realistic opportunity to gain lawful permanent residence in the United States without relying on employment-based or family-based sponsorship.
“This proposal effectively closes the door on many of the world’s most vulnerable applicants,” said Nathan Brown, Senior Immigration Strategist at USA Green Card. “A $250 entry fee is a significant financial burden, especially in countries where monthly incomes are far below that.”
Critics of the bill say the new fees are designed to discourage applications, while supporters argue they are part of a broader strategy to fund border security enhancements and deter illegal immigration.
As of now, the proposed changes have not yet been enacted, which means prospective applicants still have time to apply at the current, much lower costs. Private service providers, such as USA Green Card (www.usa-green-card.com), continue to offer full application support at discounted rates starting at just $50 for individuals or $75 for married couples—a fraction of what applicants may soon be forced to pay.
"Until these new rules become law, this is the moment to act,” spokesperson Nathan Brown from USA Green Card stated. “We encourage anyone considering applying to do so now, before the cost becomes a major barrier.”
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