The U.S. Department of State confirmed that the 2025 Diversity Visa (DV) Program has ended, with the fiscal year running from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. By law, individuals selected in the DV-2025 lottery are only eligible to receive a visa during that fiscal year; after September 30, their selection expires.
The DV Program, established by Congress, allows people from countries with historically low rates of U.S. immigration to enter a lottery for a chance to apply for an immigrant visa. Selection does not guarantee a visa interview or a visa, according to the program instructions. It merely means the person may be eligible to participate and may potentially apply.
Annual visa issuance under the program is capped at up to 55,000, as adjusted each year under the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA), as amended by Section 5104 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. Because not all selectees will qualify for visas or choose to participate, the State Department selects more people each year than the number of visas available.
No official response from advocacy groups or selectees is reported in the source account. The agency's position on any further relief or extension is not given.
Informational content only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed immigration attorney.