Green Card Lottery Suspension: December 2025 Overview
The green card lottery, officially known as the Diversity Visa (DV) Program, has been suspended by the Trump administration as of December 19, 2025. This suspension affects both current DV-2026 applicants and the upcoming DV-2027 registration period, creating significant uncertainty for thousands of hopeful immigrants.
The suspension follows a tragic mass shooting at Brown University on December 13, 2025, where the suspect was identified as a Portuguese national who entered the United States through the DV Program in 2017. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered USCIS to immediately halt all diversity visa processing.
Key Green Card Lottery Updates and Changes
Here's what you need to know about the current state of the diversity visa lottery program:
- DV-2026 Processing Hold: USCIS has placed a hold on all pending adjustment of status applications filed under the DV Program, effective immediately
- Visa Issuance Paused: The State Department has indefinitely paused diversity visa issuance at all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide
- DV-2027 Registration Delayed: The registration period, originally expected in October 2025, remains delayed with no new start date announced
- Enhanced Vetting Required: All DV applicants may be required to appear for in-person interviews or re-interviews during the security review
- Work Authorization Affected: Adjustment-based work and travel authorization applications are also on hold
The suspension does not cancel the program entirely, as this would require Congressional action. However, the administration has not specified how long the pause will last.
Who Is Affected by the Green Card Lottery Suspension
The suspension impacts multiple groups of applicants differently based on their current status in the DV process.
For DV-2026 Selectees
If you were selected in the DV-2026 lottery, your application is now on hold. Approximately 129,516 applicants were notified of their selection from over 20.8 million qualified entries. You face a critical deadline: all applications must be approved by September 30, 2026, or eligibility is permanently lost.
For DV-2027 Hopeful Applicants
The DV-2027 registration period has been delayed since October 2025. A new $1 electronic entry fee was finalized in September 2025, but technical implementation and the current suspension have pushed the registration date indefinitely. Monitor the official dvprogram.state.gov website for updates.
For UK Nationals
A special correction was issued for DV-2026 affecting Great Britain (United Kingdom) natives. Due to an initial selection error, UK applicants should re-check their status at the Entrant Status Check portal, as some results may have been incorrectly reported.
How to Check Your DV Lottery Status - Step by Step
Follow these steps to verify your green card lottery selection status:
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to dvprogram.state.gov - this is the ONLY legitimate source for lottery results
- Enter Your Confirmation Number: Use the 16-character confirmation number from your original application receipt
- Provide Personal Details: Enter your full name, year of birth, and email address exactly as submitted
- Review Your Status: Check whether you were selected, not selected, or if additional review is required
- Save Documentation: If selected, download and print all instructions and your selection notification for your records
- Prepare Your Photos: Ensure your passport photo meets strict U.S. visa photo requirements - services like VisaPics can help verify your photo meets specifications
Important Dates and Timeline for Green Card Lottery
Mark these critical deadlines for DV-2026 and beyond:
- May 3, 2025: DV-2026 results became available for checking online
- October 1, 2025: DV-2026 visa application period officially began (now on hold)
- December 19, 2025: USCIS issued hold on all pending DV adjustment applications
- September 30, 2026: Absolute deadline for DV-2026 visa approval - no extensions possible
- TBD: DV-2027 registration period announcement pending
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Green Card Lottery Cancelled Permanently?
No, the green card lottery is not cancelled. The program is authorized by Congress and remains part of U.S. immigration law. The current suspension is a temporary administrative pause while security reviews are conducted. Full cancellation would require Congressional legislation.
Can I Still Apply for DV-2027?
Not yet. The DV-2027 registration period has been delayed indefinitely. The State Department will announce new dates when available. The delay is attributed to implementing a new $1 entry fee and enhanced security measures, compounded by the current program suspension.
What Happens If My DV-2026 Application Isn't Processed by September 30, 2026?
Unfortunately, the September 30, 2026 deadline is statutory and cannot be extended. If your application is not approved by this date, you permanently lose eligibility for DV-2026. This is why the current processing hold is particularly concerning for selectees, as lengthy delays could eliminate their opportunity.
How Will I Know When Processing Resumes?
Monitor the official State Department website at travel.state.gov for announcements. Do not trust emails, phone calls, or letters claiming you won the lottery or offering to expedite processing - these are common scams.
What You Need to Know - Bottom Line
The green card lottery faces unprecedented uncertainty following the December 2025 suspension. DV-2026 selectees should monitor their status closely while preparing all required documentation. DV-2027 hopefuls must wait for the registration period announcement. The statutory September 30, 2026 deadline creates urgency for current applicants.
While awaiting updates, ensure all your immigration documents are in order. Verify your passport photo meets U.S. visa photo specifications - incorrect photos are a common reason for application delays. Stay informed through official government sources only, and beware of lottery scams that exploit applicant uncertainty during this suspension period.
Sources: - [U.S. Department of State - Diversity Visa Issuance Updated Guidance](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/diversity-visa-issuance-updated-guidance.html) - [NPR - Trump suspends U.S. green card lottery after Brown University and MIT shootings](https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649339/trump-suspends-u-s-green-card-lottery-after-brown-university-and-mit-shootings) - [Fragomen - USCIS Suspends Approvals of Pending Diversity Visa Adjustment Applications](https://www.fragomen.com/insights/united-states-uscis-suspends-approvals-of-pending-diversity-visa-adjustment-applications-while-security-reviews-are-conducted.html) - [U.S. Department of State - Update on DV Program 2026](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/update-on-dv-program-2026.html) - [U.S. Department of State - Changes to DV-2027 Entry Period](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/changes-to-2027-dv-program-entry-period.html)