Green Card Lottery Suspended: What DV-2026 Applicants Need to Know
The green card lottery has been suspended by the Trump administration as of December 19, 2024. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the pause at President Trump's direction, affecting the Diversity Visa (DV) program that issues up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually.
The suspension comes in response to the tragic Brown University and MIT shootings. Authorities identified the suspect as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national who obtained his green card through the DV lottery program in 2017.
Key Green Card Lottery Updates for December 2024
Here are the most critical developments affecting DV-2026 applicants:
- Full Program Pause: USCIS has been directed to halt all DV lottery processing immediately
- State Department Action: Secretary Marco Rubio has "indefinitely paused" diversity visa issuances
- Adjustment of Status Hold: All pending Form I-485 applications from DV selectees are now on hold
- Re-Interview Requirements: Affected applicants may be required to appear for in-person interviews or re-interviews
- Timeline Unknown: The administration has not announced how long the suspension will last
This marks the second time the Trump administration has halted the program—it was previously suspended in 2020 during the pandemic. The Biden administration restarted it in 2021.
Who Is Affected by the Green Card Lottery Suspension
The DV-2026 lottery suspension impacts different groups in various ways. Understanding your situation is crucial for planning next steps.
For DV-2026 Selectees Awaiting Interviews
If you were selected in the DV-2026 lottery but haven't been scheduled for an interview, expect significant delays. Experts advise against making irreversible decisions like quitting jobs, selling homes, or withdrawing children from school until you receive written confirmation of next steps.
For Applicants with Pending I-485 Applications
USCIS has ordered an immediate hold on all pending DV-based adjustment of status applications. Officers must pause adjudication of all related ancillary applications. You may be contacted for additional security reviews or re-interviews.
For Those Pursuing Consular Processing Abroad
The USCIS pause on processing does not appear to directly impact the State Department's processing of DV-2026 immigrant visa applications at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. However, the indefinite pause on visa issuances affects all applicants.
How to Check Your DV-2026 Lottery Status
Despite the suspension, you can still verify your selection status through official channels:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to dvprogram.state.gov/ESC
- Enter Your Confirmation Number: Use the unique number saved from your October-November 2024 registration
- Check Your Status: Results remain available until September 30, 2026
- Document Everything: Save and print your confirmation page for your records
- Monitor Official Updates: Check travel.state.gov regularly for program announcements
Important DV-2026 Timeline and Deadlines
Even with the suspension, these dates remain relevant for planning purposes:
- October 2 - November 7, 2024: DV-2026 registration period (completed)
- May 3, 2025: Results were made available for checking
- October 1, 2025: Start of FY 2026 when selected applicants can begin visa processing
- September 30, 2026: Final deadline—all DV-2026 visas must be issued by this date
Frequently Asked Questions About the Green Card Lottery Pause
Does the suspension cancel my DV-2026 selection?
No, the pause does not automatically cancel lottery selections. However, officials have not confirmed whether interviews, visa approvals, or processing will continue during the review period. Because DV eligibility is time-limited to September 30, 2026, even short suspensions can permanently eliminate thousands of cases.
How many people are affected by this green card lottery suspension?
For DV-2026, approximately 129,516 prospective applicants were registered and notified of their selection from over 20.8 million qualified entries. The overall selection rate was approximately 0.25%, making this one of the most competitive immigration programs.
Can the government legally suspend the diversity visa program?
The program was created by Congress, and this suspension is almost certain to face legal challenges. It's unclear what legal authority DHS is using to pause the program. A full suspension would typically require Congressional action or a presidential proclamation. Similar legal battles occurred during the 2020 suspension.
Which countries are ineligible for the DV-2026 lottery?
Natives of these countries were ineligible: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland and Hong Kong), Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
What Green Card Lottery Applicants Should Do Now
The green card lottery suspension creates significant uncertainty for the 129,000+ DV-2026 selectees worldwide. While the program has been paused before and later restarted, the time-sensitive nature of DV visas means delays can be devastating for applicants who must complete processing by September 30, 2026.
If you're affected by this suspension, keep all your documentation organized and ensure your passport photo meets official requirements for when processing resumes. Monitor the official State Department website at travel.state.gov for updates, and consider consulting with an immigration attorney about your options. VisaPics can help you prepare compliant visa and passport photos that meet strict U.S. government specifications when you're ready to proceed with your application.