DOS Finalizes New Passport and Identity Requirements for Diversity Visa Program

The updated requirements will apply beginning with the DV‑2027 entry period.

Key Change: Mandatory Passport Scan for All Entrants

Under the new regulation, every DV Program entrant must:

• Provide information from a valid, unexpired passport, and
• Upload a JPEG scan of the passport’s biographic page and signature page when submitting the electronic entry form (DS‑5501)

Entrants who qualify for passport exemptions under 22 CFR 42.2(d), (e), or (g)(2) — including stateless individuals and certain applicants unable to obtain passports from specific governments — may attest to an exemption.

The DOS states this requirement is necessary to prevent widespread DV fraud, including duplicate entries and unauthorized third‑party submissions. In FY 2025 alone, the DOS detected 2.5 million fraudulent DV entries.

Additional Regulatory Revisions

The rule also makes several terminology and formatting changes:

• Replaces “gender” with “sex”, consistent with Executive Order 14168
• Replaces “age” with “date of birth” to reflect data actually collected
• Standardizes language in 22 CFR 42 to clarify that consular officers “shall” perform specific required functions

Implementation Timeline and System Updates

• The Department will implement the rule beginning with DV‑2027.
• The DV system has been tested to ensure it supports passport‑scan uploads and the recently added $1 DV registration fee, introduced in September 2025.
• Revised DS‑5501 instructions will be published before the DV‑2027 entry period.