The 2027 green card lottery is no longer up in the air. On October 14, 2026, Judge Jinsook Ohta ordered the State Department to reopen it. Business Standard covered the ruling within a day. We flagged this fight back on October 6, when the program’s fate still hung on a pending motion. Now there’s a real deadline, and a real schedule. Our Green Card Lawyer team is already mapping out what it means for clients.
The Ruling, and the Revised Schedule
Judge Ohta sits on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. She heard Red Eagle Law, L.C. v. Rubio, Case No. 3:26-cv-04738. Her October 14 order granted a preliminary injunction against the State Department. It initially required an announcement by October 15 and an opening by October 18.
Both sides then jointly asked the court for more time. The amended schedule pushes the announcement to October 29. Registration itself must now open by November 1, 2026, at midnight Eastern time. It has to stay open for at least 30 days once it starts.
What Happens Between Now and December
The State Department must publish the registration dates, website, and entry rules by October 29. That notice has to appear on travel.state.gov and in the Federal Register. Registration must open no later than November 1 and run for at least 30 days. The department must notify selectees by December 3, 2026, at midnight Eastern time.
It then has until September 30, 2027, to finish processing winning cases, or until visas run out, whichever comes first. That’s a compressed timeline for a program that usually runs most of a year. Applicants selected this cycle will need to move quickly once notified. Our Immigration Lawyer team can help you prepare documents now, before the window even opens.
If You Were Counting on DV-2027
Don’t assume this ruling guarantees a smooth registration period. Courts can still modify these deadlines again, as they already did once. Watch travel.state.gov directly for the official announcement, expected by October 29. Gather your passport and any required documents well before November 1 arrives.
A short registration window leaves little room for last-minute mistakes. If your eligibility depends on country of birth, confirm your status now rather than later. Book a consultation with our team if you want help getting ready before the window opens.
Why This Case Still Isn’t Over
The government hasn’t said whether it will appeal this order. Nothing here stops a future administration policy from changing the program again. The court also kept jurisdiction to enforce or adjust its own order. That means more changes could still come before November 1. Anyone relying on this lottery should treat these dates as real, but not permanent. Contact our team if you want someone tracking this case on your behalf.
How Our Firm Can Help
Green card options shouldn’t depend on a lawsuit’s next filing. Our attorneys track this litigation and translate it into guidance you can use. We’ll help you prepare for DV-2027 registration the moment the window opens. We can also map out family and employment paths that don’t depend on a lottery at all. Book a consultation with our team today, and let’s get you ready before the window opens.
