The U.S. Department of State has resumed Diversity Visa issuance following a federal court order in Medani et al. v. Trump et al., ending the suspension that had been in place since December 2025. Timing is critical for DV-2026 applicants because Diversity Visas generally must be issued by September 30, 2026.
What changed
Visa issuance has resumed as of August 28, 2026. The December 2025 suspension had temporarily stopped U.S. Embassies and Consulates from issuing Diversity Visas while the government reviewed screening and vetting procedures. The court order now requires the State Department to resume processing and issuing affected visas.
The federal court certified three diversity visa 2026 subclasses and preliminarily enjoined the Trump administration’s three visa-freeze policies as likely arbitrary and capricious, ordering resumed processing. The subclasses include:
- FY 2026 Diversity Visa selectees and derivative beneficiaries subject to the USCIS hold
- Applicants subject to the State Department’s Diversity Visa issuance pause
- Applicants affected by the State Department’s 75-country immigrant-visa pause
Why it matters
The resumption is directly actionable for DV-2026 selectees—but time is running out. If a visa number is not issued by the end of the fiscal year, the opportunity may be lost. The court set a Sept. 18, 2026, status conference to inquire about the current state of adjudications and set a schedule for the remainder of the case.
As a practitioner, you should expect a sharp uptick in interview scheduling and adjudication requests in late August and September. DOS has not announced any new restrictions or exceptions associated with the resumption of issuance. Selectees who were pending interviews or decisions can now move forward under the ordinary statutory framework—but must complete all steps before midnight September 30, 2026.
Way forward
- Monitor case status immediately. Check with clients on their DV-2026 case receipt numbers and follow the NVC tracking system for any updates on interview scheduling.
- Attend scheduled interviews promptly. If the consulate contacts your client to schedule or reschedule an interview, confirm attendance at the earliest available date.
- Respond to all DOS requests without delay. Any administrative request (police certificate, medical exam, police clearance update, etc.) should be addressed within one to two weeks, not the standard 30-day timeframe.
- Escalate any cases with known delays. If your client’s case has been flagged for administrative processing or security screening, consider requesting expedited handling, citing the Sept. 30 deadline and noting the court order.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration policy is complex and subject to change without notice. Visa Lawyer Blog is not a law firm. Please consult a licensed immigration attorney in your jurisdiction to discuss your specific situation and verify current requirements against the primary source materials linked above. The State Department’s guidance is available on its official consular website.