⚠️ URGENT IMMIGRATION UPDATE
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program has been temporarily suspended by the Trump Administration.
All visa issuances and adjustments of status are currently on hold pending an immediate security review.
OFFICIAL DETAILS & GOVERNMENT RESOURCES:- Effective Date: As of December 18, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has directed USCIS and the Department of State to pause all processing for the Diversity Visa program.
- Reason for Suspension: The Administration cites “national security concerns” following the recent security incident at Brown University involving a former DV recipient. A comprehensive review of vetting procedures is underway.
- Who is Affected: This pause impacts DV-2025 and DV-2026 selectees. If you have an interview scheduled or an adjustment of status application (Form I-485) pending, you should expect delays.
Source: DHS Directive & USCIS Policy Memorandum (Dec 22, 2025). Please contact Wang Law LLC immediately if you have a pending deadline.
Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery
Green Card Lottery Guide: Rules, Fees & Eligibility
*The information below outlines the standard requirements for the program. Please note that all processing is currently paused per the alert above.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) makes up to 55,000 Green Cards available annually to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Winners are selected through a random computer drawing.
1. Eligible & Ineligible Countries (2026 Update)
Natives of the following countries are EXCLUDED from the lottery because they have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the past five years:
| 🚫 Ineligible Countries (Excluded) |
|---|
| Bangladesh | Brazil | Canada | China (Mainland) |
| Colombia | Cuba (NEW) | Dominican Rep. | El Salvador |
| Haiti | Honduras | India | Jamaica |
| Mexico | Nigeria | Pakistan | Philippines |
| South Korea | Venezuela | Vietnam | |
✅ ELIGIBLE EXCEPTIONS:- United Kingdom (UK): Is now ELIGIBLE.
- Taiwan: Eligible.
- Macau SAR: Eligible.
- Hong Kong SAR: Eligible.
2. Basic Requirements
Requirement A: Education
You must have a High School Diploma (or its foreign equivalent) defined as the successful completion of a 12-year course of formal elementary and secondary education.
Requirement B: Work
If no diploma, you need 2 years of work experience (within the past 5 years) in an occupation requiring at least 2 years of training (Job Zone 4 or 5).
3. Fees & New Policies (2026)
Cost Breakdown
Entering the lottery is FREE. Winners pay the following fees:
- I-485 Adjustment Fee: $1,440 (Inside US)
- Consular Visa Fee: $330 (Outside US)
- USCIS Immigrant Fee: $235
Policy Changes
- Passport Rule VACATED: You DO NOT need a valid passport to enter the initial lottery registration. This is a permanent change.
- Photo AI: Photos must be recent (6 months). Re-using old photos leads to auto-disqualification.
How Wang Law Firm Can Help
In this uncertain climate of program suspensions and strict deadlines, passive waiting is risky. We provide aggressive legal representation for DV winners facing delays or bans.
1. Mandamus Litigation
If your case is stuck or unlawfully suspended, we file federal lawsuits to force the government to adjudicate your case before the Sept 30 deadline.
2. Adjustment of Status
For winners inside the U.S., we prepare “approval-ready” I-485 packages to be filed the moment the Visa Bulletin is current or the suspension is lifted.
3. Alternative Options
We evaluate eligibility for O-1, H-1B, or NIW Green Cards so your future isn’t tied to political decisions.
Don’t Lose Your Lottery Win.
The clock is ticking towards the September 30 fiscal year deadline. Contact Wang Law LLC today.
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