As of today, March 21, 2025, the registration period for the 2026 Diversity Visa (DV) lottery (DV-2026) has concluded, and the next registration period for the 2027 DV lottery (DV-2027) will open in early October 2025
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- DV-2026 Registration Closed: The registration period for the DV-2026 lottery ended on November 7, 2024.
- DV-2026 Results: Results for the DV-2026 lottery are available from May 3, 2025, to at least September 30, 2026.
- DV-2027 Registration: The registration period for the DV-2027 lottery will open in early October 2025 and remain open until early November 2025.
- DV-2027 Results: Results for the DV-2027 lottery will be available from May 3, 2026, to at least September 30, 2027.
- Important Note: The Diversity Visa program is designed to offer a chance for individuals from countries with low immigration rates to become lawful permanent residents in the United States.
- Check the E-DV website: For official information and instructions, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) website.
Can US President cancel the DV Lottery?
No, the U.S. President cannot unilaterally cancel the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery. Since the DV Lottery program was established by Congress through the Immigration Act of 1990, it can only be eliminated or modified by Congressional legislation.
Canceling the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery would require legislative action by the U.S. government. The process generally involves the following steps:
- Proposal of a Bill – A member of Congress (either from the House of Representatives or the Senate) must introduce a bill proposing the repeal or modification of the Diversity Visa Lottery program.
- Committee Review – The proposed bill is assigned to the relevant congressional committees, such as the House Judiciary Committee or the Senate Judiciary Committee, for analysis, discussion, and possible amendments.
- Congressional Debate & Vote – If the bill passes the committee stage, it moves to the floor of the House and Senate for debate and voting. A majority vote in both chambers is required for the bill to proceed.
- Presidential Approval – If both the House and Senate approve the bill, it is sent to the President for signing. The President can either sign the bill into law or veto it.
- Judicial Review (if challenged) – If opponents of the cancellation believe the law is unconstitutional, they may challenge it in federal court.
Previous Attempts to Cancel the DV Lottery
There have been multiple efforts in the past to eliminate the program, often citing concerns about national security and immigration control. For example:
- The Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act proposed eliminating the DV Lottery.
- Some lawmakers have argued for replacing it with a merit-based immigration system.
As of now, the program is still active. However, future legislation could change or eliminate it.
However, the President has some influence over the program in the following ways:
Ways the President Can Impact the DV Lottery
- Supporting Legislation to End It
- The President can push Congress to pass a bill that eliminates or modifies the program.
- If Congress passes such a bill, the President can sign it into law.
- Executive Actions to Restrict It
- While the President cannot cancel the DV Lottery outright, they can use executive orders to place temporary restrictions on it.
- For example, former President Donald Trump issued Proclamation 10014 in 2020, suspending the issuance of many immigrant visas (including DV Lottery winners) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Visa Processing Delays & Restrictions
- The President can direct the Department of State to slow down or limit visa processing for DV Lottery winners.
- Additional security or administrative measures can make it harder for applicants to receive visas.
Conclusion
- The President cannot cancel the DV Lottery without Congress, but they can influence how it is implemented or temporarily restrict it.
- To permanently eliminate the program, Congress must pass a law, and the President must sign it.