The United States government has announced the temporary suspension of the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program, also commonly known as the Green Card Lottery, in a major shift in U.S. immigration policy. The decision comes after a recent mass shooting incident in the U.S. in which the alleged shooter was found to have entered the country years earlier through the DV program. Homeland Security officials said the suspension was ordered by President Donald Trump to address perceived security concerns and to review the program’s procedures.
The DV Lottery has long been a key pathway for people from countries with historically low rates of immigration — including Nepal — to apply for permanent residency in the United States. Each year, up to 55,000 visas are made available through a random selection process that does not depend on wealth, education level, or political connections. The suspension now places millions of applicants worldwide, including thousands from Nepal, in limbo as they await clarity on whether the programme will resume and under what conditions.
For many hopeful migrants, the suspension is a significant setback. Nepal has consistently ranked among the top countries in terms of DV Lottery participation, with nearly 1 million people applying annually. This programme offered a rare and accessible opportunity for Nepalis seeking long-term residence and new opportunities in the United States. Its halt has sparked concern among migration consultants and applicants about rising unpredictability in immigration pathways.
U.S. authorities have not yet provided a timetable for when or if the DV Lottery will resume or whether the planned changes to the system will result in permanent alterations. Meanwhile, prospective applicants are waiting for further announcements from the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to understand the future of the programme.