The U.S. Department of State announced the immediate and indefinite suspension of the Diversity Visa (DV) Program, also known as the Green Card Lottery, on December 18, 2025. The agency updated its guidance on December 23, confirming the pause. This drastic measure was taken in response to a recent shooting at Brown University and the killing of an MIT professor, allegedly committed by an individual who entered the U.S. through the DV program. The suspension halts all new diversity visa issuances while the State Department conducts a comprehensive review of the program's screening and vetting protocols. While current DV applicants can still attend their scheduled interviews, no visas will be issued until the pause is lifted. The State Department has confirmed that no existing, valid diversity visas will be revoked. The DV program has long been a target of immigration hardliners, and this suspension represents a major policy change, effectively shutting down a path to a green card for up to 55,000 people annually from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. This is a top immigration news story for 2025.
State Department Suspends Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery Program
The State Department has immediately paused the Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery program to review security protocols, halting all new visa issuances indefinitely.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: The Green Card Lottery is on an indefinite hold. No new diversity visas will be issued until the government completes a security review.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Anyone who has been selected in a recent DV lottery and is awaiting their visa interview or issuance. Future potential applicants are also affected as the program's future is uncertain.
- Timeline for Action: The suspension is effective immediately. There is no timeline for when the review will be completed or when the program might resume.
- Next Steps: If you have a pending DV application, you should monitor official announcements from the Department of State. Consult with an immigration attorney to understand if there are any alternative immigration pathways available to you.
Source: Travel.state.gov