Author DVLottery.me
2026-01-28
Is the DV program (the Green Card lottery) permanently canceled? Suspension status explained
Many applicants ask whether the DV lottery has stopped for good. As of 2026, the Diversity Visa Program is not permanently ended. It is under a temporary suspension announced by U.S. authorities.
This situation has caused confusion and widespread searches for DV lottery cancellation news. Below is a clear explanation of what happened, what is suspended, and what may happen next.
Green Card lottery suspension updates
In December 2025, the U.S. government announced a pause in immigrant visa processing. This included the Diversity Visa category. Many media outlets described the situation as the “green card lottery program cancelled by Trump”, but official language refers to a suspension, not a termination.
The announcement stated that visa issuance was paused for security review reasons. Online systems remain accessible, but cases are not moving forward. Because of this, many people believe the electronic Diversity Visa program was cancelled, even though no law ending the program was passed.
Why was the DV lottery suspended? Reasons and timeline 2026
The suspension followed serious security incidents in the United States in December 2025. These events triggered a broad review of immigration screening procedures.
Timeline of key events
(*) December 2025: Security incidents at U.S. universities; (*) December 18, 2025: Visa issuance suspension announced; (*) January 19, 2026: USCIS pauses DV adjustment approvals.
As part of this process, USCIS diversity visa suspension measures were introduced. The focus is on additional background and security checks.
Current DV Program status: is it permanently stopped?
No official document confirms that the program is permanently ended. There is no law, presidential proclamation, or DHS notice that formally ends the Diversity Visa Program. For this reason, the answer to is the DV lottery cancelled forever is no, based on the information available as of 2026.
The suspension is described by authorities as temporary and open-ended. This means there is no fixed end date and no published roadmap for resuming processing. All DV-related steps are paused, including interviews, visa issuance, and adjustment of status approvals.
Processing for both current and future lottery years is delayed. Registration periods have not been officially announced, and no new selection schedules have been released. At this time, there are no confirmed registration dates, interview windows, or visa allocation timelines for that program year.
Applicants can still access online status systems ( https://dvprogram.state.gov ), but cases do not move forward. Authorities have stated that further action depends on the outcome of security and policy reviews.
Status of pending Diversity Visa applications in 2026
Adjustment of status (AOS)
USCIS has suspended approvals for pending DV adjustment of status cases. Applications already filed remain in the system. They are not denied or refunded. No new DV-based filings are being processed at this time. ( https://www.aila.org/library/uscis-policy-memo-directs-hold-and-review-of-pending-aos-applications-under-the-dv-program )
Consular processing
U.S. embassies and consulates have paused DV interviews and visa issuance. Applicants with scheduled appointments must wait for further instructions. Rescheduling is not available until the suspension is lifted.
In addition to the pause on Diversity Visa interviews and issuances, the U.S. government has also suspended immigrant visa issuance to citizens of dozens of countries as part of broader changes to U.S. visa policy in 2026. This suspension applies to immigrant visas processed at U.S. consulates abroad and does not affect most nonimmigrant visas such as tourist, student, or work visas. ( https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html )
Because the Diversity Visa category is itself an immigrant visa path for nationals of many countries, this broad pause creates a double layer of suspension: both the DV interview/issuance pause and the wider freeze on immigrant visa issuance for affected nationalities. Many individuals from affected countries would otherwise apply for family- or employment-based immigrant visas as well as DV visas, and now all of these permanent residency avenues at U.S. consulates are effectively paused at the same time.
Due to this combined effect, many DV visa numbers and other immigrant visa numbers may remain unused during the current fiscal year, and no new immigrant visas will be issued at consulates for nationals of those 75 countries until further notice.
What happens if you already have a DV visa?
Diversity visas issued before the suspension remain valid until their expiration date. If the holder travels to the United States within the visa validity period, entry is still allowed, and Permanent Residence status is granted at admission. The Green Card is then produced and mailed by USCIS after arrival.
There have been no confirmed reports of mass revocations of previously issued DV visas. After entry, green card processing continues through USCIS field offices as usual.
At the same time, travelers should monitor new presidential proclamations and government notices, as future measures could affect travel or re-entry to the United States.
Alternatives to the U.S. Green Card lottery in 2026
Alternative immigration pathways remain available in other countries.
For example, Canada offers the Express Entry system for skilled workers seeking permanent residence through economic immigration programs, and interested applicants can find official information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry.html
Australia provides the SkillSelect online system for skilled visa applicants who want to live and work in Australia, with details on eligibility and expression of interest here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect
Legal basis and DV lottery future outlook
The DV Program is authorized by U.S. immigration law. It is a statutory program created by Congress under Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This section provides for up to 55,000 diversity immigrant visas each fiscal year for people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The formula, eligibility criteria, and number of visas are defined in statute and in official Department of State instructions.
Because the program is established in law ( https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM050206.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com ), a full cancellation would require congressional action to repeal or amend the statutory provisions. A temporary executive suspension, such as the pause announced in December 2025, does not legally end the program; it only halts processing until further notice.
Next steps for DV lottery applicants in 2026
The DV Lottery suspension is temporary, but the timeline remains unclear. Applicants should regularly check official U.S. government websites for updates and announcements:
(*) U.S. Department of State – Diversity Visa Program: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program.html ; (*) DV Entrant Status Check (official DV system): https://dvprogram.state.gov ; (*) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updates: https://www.uscis.gov ;
These sources publish official notices on visa processing, suspensions, and policy changes.
Those with pending cases should keep their documents ready and avoid missing deadlines. Visa holders are generally unaffected. Others may consider alternative immigration paths to reduce delays.
Until official announcements are made, patience and close monitoring remain essential.
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