Diversity Visa Paused!

The Trump Administration has suspended the diversity visa program. The Secretary of DHS stated that: "At President Trump's direction, I am immediately directing USCIS to pause the DV1 program to ensure no more Americans are harmed by this disastrous program."

The DV program was launched about 35 years ago and offers approximately 50,000 visas per year to aliens from countries with comparatively low rates of immigration to the United States. Recipients are chosen at random and winning the lottery allows one to gain lawful permanent residence in the United States. One can also adjust status if already in the United States and a winner of the lottery.

Eligibility requirements include having at least a high school education or two years of work experience in a field that requires training.

What's next? Unknown, but expect changes to the DV program to at least make the eligibility requirements more stringent.