The United States has lifted the diversity visa issuance pause introduced in December 2025, giving DV-2026 applicants a chance to move forward before the fiscal year closes. The State Department says the pause ended on 28 August 2026, following a court order. Its updated notice was published on 31 August. State Department guidance
Time is now the central concern. DV-2026 visas must be issued by 30 September 2026. The lifting of the pause therefore comes with only weeks remaining before the deadline.
Court Intervention
The change follows the case of Medani et al. v. Trump et al. Furthermore, the federal court recognised three subclasses of DV-2026 applicants and temporarily blocked three visa-freeze policies, finding that they were likely arbitrary and capricious.
The court ordered processing to resume and scheduled a status conference for 18 September to review progress on applications and set the next stages of the case. This is preliminary relief while proceedings continue, rather than a final resolution of the dispute.
Confusing Guidance
Applicants checking the government website may find apparently conflicting information. Beneath the new announcement, the page still carries the earlier statement that diversity visa issuance is paused, together with questions and answers describing those restrictions.
The dated update at the top explicitly says the December 2025 pause is no longer in effect. The older wording below should therefore be read in that context, rather than treated as an announcement of a fresh suspension.
Under the earlier guidance, applicants could submit applications and attend interviews, but visas could not be issued. The department also said it had not revoked existing visas as part of that measure.
Deadline Pressure
For people with pending cases, the practical question is how much processing can be completed before September ends. Neither linked update promises that every outstanding application will be completed in time.
On 2 September that instructions for fiscal year 2027 had not yet been announced. Applicants awaiting that programme should distinguish its entry arrangements from the court-driven change affecting the issuance pause.