Key Takeaways
- The U.S. State Department has resumed issuing diversity visas.
- The suspension was due to a court order in the case Medani et al. v. Trump et al.
- Processing must be expedited to meet the September 30 deadline.
The U.S. State Department has resumed issuing diversity visas following a court order in the ongoing case Medani et al. v. Trump et al., effective August 28, 2026.
Previously, the agency had suspended diversity visa issuance at U.S. embassies and consulates in December 2025, citing the need to review screening and vetting protocols.
The resumption of the program is a significant development for applicants who were affected by the suspension, as it restores a key immigration pathway.
However, officials have emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that processing must move quickly to ensure that diversity immigrant visas are issued by September 30 of the applicable fiscal year.
Failure to meet this deadline would result in the loss of the visa number, which could have serious implications for the applicants.
The resumption of the program is seen as a positive step towards normalizing the immigration process, though the remaining timeline leaves limited room for delay.
The decision to resume the issuance of diversity visas is a direct result of the court order, which has now been enforced.
The U.S. State Department has confirmed that the resumption of the program is in line with the court’s directive and is aimed at ensuring that the process is carried out efficiently and without further delay.
