US Proposes Mandatory Passport Scans for Green Card Lottery Applicants

The United States government plans to implement new regulations for the Diversity Visa (DV) Programme, mandating applicants to submit a scanned copy of their passport during the lottery entry process. 

The proposed rule, slated for publication in the Federal Register on 8 August, is anticipated to take effect for the 2026 cycle, with registration beginning in October 2025. Currently, a passport is not required for participation in the DV lottery. However, the State Department now seeks to mandate the submission of a valid, unexpired passport number, accompanied by a JPEG image of the passport's photograph and signature pages, with a file size limit of 5 MB.

The State Department contends that this measure aims to mitigate identity fraud and thwart unauthorised third-party submissions. Officials have expressed concerns regarding fraudulent schemes where criminal networks allegedly enter individuals into the lottery without their consent, subsequently demanding payment upon selection. 

Limited exceptions will be granted to stateless individuals, those unable to obtain a passport from a communist-controlled nation, or applicants with official US government waivers. However, the failure to supply a valid passport scan will result in disqualification for the majority of applicants.

The DV Programme, which provides a pathway to permanent residency for citizens of countries with historically low immigration rates to the US, remains free to enter. A 45-day public comment period is now underway regarding the proposed rule. Due to the government's stated objectives, it is widely anticipated that the rule will be implemented in time for the next lottery cycle.

If adopted, the change will introduce a significant shift in the application process, placing greater responsibility on entrants to verify their identity from the outset.