Green Card Lottery Program Suspended Indefinitely
The green card lottery has been suspended indefinitely as of December 18, 2025, following a directive from the Trump administration. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem ordered USCIS to immediately pause the Diversity Visa (DV) program, affecting over 129,000 DV-2026 selectees and millions of hopeful applicants worldwide.
The suspension comes amid heightened scrutiny of immigration programs following recent security incidents. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the program is paused "until we can be sure we know exactly who we are letting into our country."
Key Changes to the Green Card Lottery Program
The December 2025 suspension introduces several major disruptions to the diversity visa lottery process:
- Immediate Processing Halt: USCIS has stopped processing all DV-based green card applications as of December 19, 2025
- Visa Issuance Frozen: The State Department has indefinitely paused issuing new diversity visas at consulates worldwide
- Interview Delays Expected: DV-2026 selectees awaiting embassy interviews face uncertain scheduling timelines
- DV-2027 Further Delayed: Registration, already postponed from October 2025, now faces additional uncertainty
- Adjustment of Status Affected: U.S.-based applicants adjusting status through USCIS are impacted by the internal processing pause
The administration has not announced how long the suspension will last. Legal experts expect court challenges since the DV program is established by Congress under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Who Is Affected by the Green Card Lottery Pause
The diversity visa lottery pause impacts multiple groups of applicants differently based on their current status in the process.
For DV-2026 Selectees
If you were among the 129,516 people selected for DV-2026, your case faces immediate uncertainty. Those awaiting interview scheduling may experience significant delays, while applicants with interviews already scheduled should contact their consulate directly for updated guidance.
For Pending Adjustment of Status Applicants
If you're adjusting status inside the United States through USCIS, your case is directly affected by the internal processing pause. Watch for new USCIS guidance and avoid international travel until DHS clarifies enforcement policies.
For Future DV-2027 Applicants
The DV-2027 registration was already delayed from its traditional October opening. With the new $1 registration fee system ready but the program now paused, potential applicants face extended uncertainty about when—or whether—registration will open.
How to Protect Your Green Card Lottery Case - Step by Step
Immigration attorneys recommend these protective measures for diversity visa applicants:
- Maintain Complete Documentation: Keep all civil documents, DS-260 confirmations, and correspondence organized and accessible
- Monitor Official Sources Only: Check travel.state.gov and uscis.gov daily for official updates—ignore unofficial announcements
- Avoid Irreversible Decisions: Do not quit jobs, sell property, or withdraw children from school until you have written confirmation of your case status
- Document Your Timeline: Keep detailed records of all application steps, submission dates, and communications with clear passport photos meeting requirements
- Consult an Immigration Attorney: Given the legal uncertainty, professional guidance may help protect your interests
- Avoid International Travel: If you have a pending DV-based application, stay in your current location until enforcement policies are clarified
Important Dates and Timeline for Green Card Lottery
Here are the critical dates diversity visa applicants should know:
- December 18, 2025: DHS announces immediate pause of DV program processing
- December 19, 2025: USCIS confirms halt of all DV-related green card processing
- September 30, 2026: Fiscal year deadline for DV-2026 visas—all selectees must be processed by this date or lose eligibility
- DV-2027 Registration: Originally expected October 2025, then delayed to late December 2025/January 2026—now uncertain
- New $1 Fee: When registration reopens, a mandatory $1 payment will be required for all entries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the green card lottery permanently canceled?
No, the program is paused, not eliminated. The Diversity Visa program is established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act. The administration can pause processing, but eliminating the program entirely would require Congressional action. Legal challenges to the pause are expected.
What happens if I already won the DV-2026 lottery?
Your selection remains valid, but processing is suspended. The critical deadline remains September 30, 2026—you must receive your visa by then, or eligibility expires permanently. This time pressure makes even short suspensions potentially devastating for many cases.
Will the DV-2027 lottery registration still happen?
The DV-2027 registration was already delayed before this suspension. The State Department had announced a new $1 fee and shortened registration window, with opening expected in late December 2025 or January 2026. The current pause adds further uncertainty to these plans.
Can I still check my DV-2026 status online?
Yes, the Entrant Status Check at dvprogram.state.gov remains available. You can verify your selection status using your confirmation number through at least September 30, 2026. However, a positive selection does not guarantee visa issuance during the pause.
What Green Card Lottery Applicants Need to Know
The diversity visa lottery program typically makes 55,000 green cards available annually to nationals from countries with historically low U.S. immigration rates. This year, over 20.8 million people submitted qualified entries for DV-2026, with selectees representing countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and other regions.
For applicants navigating this uncertainty, preparation remains essential. Ensure your passport photo meets all official requirements and keep documentation current. Whether the pause extends for weeks or months, being ready to move quickly when processing resumes could make the difference in meeting fiscal year deadlines. Use VisaPics to verify your visa photo specifications match the exact requirements for your country's documents.
Sources: - [CNN Politics - Why the US is targeting the diversity visa lottery](https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/19/politics/diversity-visa-lottery-green-card-trump-brown-suspect) - [NPR - Trump suspends US green card lottery](https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649339/trump-suspends-u-s-green-card-lottery-after-brown-university-and-mit-shootings) - [Al Jazeera - Trump government suspends visa lottery](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/20/trump-government-suspends-visa-lottery-linked-to-brown-university-suspect) - [USCIS Official Policy Memo](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/memos/PM-602-0193-DiversityVisaHolds-20251219.pdf) - [Travel.State.Gov - DV Program Updates](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/update-on-dv-program-2026.html) - [USAGov - DV Lottery Results](https://www.usa.gov/dv-lottery-results)