State Department Publishes Final Rule Amending the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program

Key Point  

• The U.S. Department of State has published a final rule to strengthen vetting and reduce fraud in the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, including a new requirement for applicants to upload a valid passport at the time of entry.

Diversity Immigrant Visa Program 

The U.S. Department of State has published a final rule to strengthen vetting and reduce fraud in the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program. The rule introduces new documentation requirements, clarifies eligibility standards and formalizes integrity measures first proposed in earlier rulemaking. The change will become effective on April 10, 2026.  

Key changes under the final rule include the following:

Passport Requirement at Entry

• DV entrants must upload a valid, unexpired passport when submitting their online entry.
• Entries submitted without a passport scan will be automatically disqualified.
• The requirement applies beginning with DV‑2028.

Enhanced Fraud‑Prevention Measures

• New procedures aim to detect duplicate, manipulated or incomplete entries.
• The rule codifies the State Department’s authority to deny entry to individuals who do not meet integrity standards.

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