In another blow to people’s hopes, the government have announced a new pause on visa issuance to this list of countries:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen
Essentially the government are saying they will not be issuing visas to anyone from those countries while they conduct a review of policies and procedures relating to public charge.
Most of those countries are DV lottery countries so this is a blow on top of the existing DV lottery pause.
You can hear my thoughts about this news at the video below.
The announcement can be seen here:
February 18, 2026 at 01:50
Is the current lawsuit regarding the immigration visa pause for 75 countries also addressing the 2026 DV (Diversity Visa) program pause, or is it only focused on IV visas from those 75 countries? I’m affected by both, so I’d really appreciate some clarification.
February 18, 2026 at 08:44
There are two group lawsuits that will be filed for DV winners over the next few weeks (that I know of). Immpact and Red Eagle Law. Both will address the DV pause and the 75 country pause.
February 13, 2026 at 10:48
Hi Simon, just wanted to follow up on the service you said would be launched to help dv winners with a US address to receive their greencards, we still need an address to complete the ds260. Thanks
February 14, 2026 at 12:27
Apologies – will work on it this week
February 12, 2026 at 13:52
Regarding Iranian DV-2026 selectees and the current immigrant visa suspension (including the expanded travel restrictions and public charge policy):
For Iranian winners who may qualify for an exemption (e.g., ethnic minority exception or holding a second passport), should they attend their scheduled interview as planned?
Or would it be wiser to delay the interview for 2–3 months due to the current pause and policy uncertainty?
February 12, 2026 at 20:27
Iranians with an exemption could still undergo several months of additional background checks, so it would be very unwise to delay.
February 13, 2026 at 07:39
Considering the current obstacles and restrictions affecting Iranian DV-2026 selectees (including the visa suspension, public charge concerns, and the travel ban), do you think these barriers significantly reduce the chances of visa approval?
Given the high costs and extensive preparations required for the interview, would it be wiser for some applicants not to attend the interview at this time?
Thank you for your guidance.
February 13, 2026 at 09:46
Yes there are some people that probably should not attend the interviews. People need to have their eyes open.
February 6, 2026 at 10:36
Are there any updates on the DV pause?
February 6, 2026 at 11:19
Did you think I would keep news to myself??
February 6, 2026 at 09:44
Hi Simon,
I will have my interview soon on late Feb. However, I have been searching for panel physician for the health exam and they don’t have many openings. Their availability is 3 days before the interview and said to get me a deffered letter. Will this affect the result of my interview? I know it’s a pause but in normal situation will this hurt the interview results?
Thanks!
February 6, 2026 at 10:02
No.
February 3, 2026 at 14:44
Hello Simon
I have a question on the USD $1 fee introduced for the Diversity Visa program.
1. The fee is a regulatory rule, not a statutory law.
2. The fee is not a part, or is not mentioned, in the “One Big Beautiful Bill”
3. The fee is not a law passed by congress
4. However, the USD$1 fee is legal, being made via the rule making process by the State Department
It is certain that the US Government will change from time to time (Republican to Democratic and vice versa, that is, the power to run the Government will change in future)
My question is
1. How easy will it be for the State Department to remove the USD $1 fee if instructed by the Government in future?
2. What is this rule-making process that will be initiated to delete the fee?
3. Will this process be difficult (that is require law-makers to vote)
Thank you
February 3, 2026 at 16:02
I’m not really understanding why you think this new rule will be changed at some future date. The State Department have described carefully their authority to impose the fee, and it is not unreasonable. So I can’t see why you think it would be removed in the future.
But to answer your questions:
1. Easy – they implemented the $1 fee using existing authority. They can use that same authority to reverse that decision if they wanted to do so, although doing so would probably cause them to increase the interview/application fees (currently $330).
2. Same thing they did on September 16 last year. Published a rule with 30 days notice.
3. No
January 26, 2026 at 09:31
USCIS seems to seek reinstating of public charge bonds, new form (https://www.regulations.gov/document/USCIS-2025-0173-0012) seems to include DV-specific info (DV case number/DV selectee name).
Given that publicly-stated reason for this pause is “ensur[ing] that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge” – that seems somewhat related.
January 26, 2026 at 09:35
Yes – it’s a rule for public discussion, but it is clearly where they want to go.
January 27, 2026 at 18:52
Thank you, Brit Simon. Could this be a signal that this could be the condition for removing the pause on all immigrant visas? It says NVC number. DV/KCC number. Thanks.
January 28, 2026 at 08:21
It might become required, but I think the timing is “off” for this to be a pre-requisite for the 75 country pause to be removed.
January 22, 2026 at 01:45
Hi Brit, one of my friends attended interview this month he got paper refusal 221g for presidential proclimation, but another friend didn’t get any paper and told to wait for email from embassy, do you have any idea what is that mean?
January 22, 2026 at 19:41
No. Because these people are your friends, not mine. I can’t guess where they live, what embassy they attended or anything else.
January 22, 2026 at 01:02
Good evening sir , please i have a question , i am leaving America ,i have a green card ,i just apply for my citizenship ,am waiting for my biometrics , ,i am planning to travel Africa and my country is on the travailing ban ,will i be able go and come back without any issues at the airport
January 22, 2026 at 19:40
Yes
January 19, 2026 at 03:28
After getting selected as a Fiji citizen for three consecutive years and missing out on interviews for the last two due to high case number, finally this was the year I went current and boom – we’re hit with a DV suspension followed by immigrant visa pause. At this point, I’ve already learn the griefing process and readied myself to accept any outcome.
Key lessons :
1. Staying positive in light of facts or mentally prepare to move on
2. DV lottery is a low priority immigrant visa. It’s all about chance.
3. Britsimon is the GOAT – the hope we have is thanks to him and many others in his expertise circle.
Hope never ends
January 18, 2026 at 09:00
Hi BritSimon,
I am a DV Lottery winner, and my country is one of those for which the U.S. government has introduced a new pause on immigration, though it is not a total ban. I am currently waiting to receive my interview appointment.
Could you please explain how this may affect us, and how, when, and to whom these rules will be applied?
Thank you for your guidance.
January 18, 2026 at 20:33
I think I have covered this comprehensively in the videos discussing the matter. If after watching those you still have questions, feel free to ask a more targeted question.
January 17, 2026 at 07:05
Hi Brit , I am a winner of the 2026 lottery from Egypt . Will this suspension and pause end soon, and will the lawsuits affect the government’s decision on the remaining immigration cases for those not involved in the lawsuits?
January 17, 2026 at 09:19
Ahh, so you want me to use my crystal ball….
January 17, 2026 at 03:50
🟢 Step 1: Filing the Lawsuit
📅 March 14, 2026
An official complaint is filed against the U.S. government in court.
This step does not mean the court will issue an immediate decision.
It is only the beginning of the case.
🟢 Step 2: Requesting an Emergency Order
📅 A few days after March 14, 2026
A special request is filed called a Preliminary Injunction.
Its goal is to:
👉 Temporarily force the Department of State to:
Lift the DV visa suspension
Start conducting interviews
Issue the visas
This order is temporary but very important.
🟡 Step 3: Waiting for the Court’s Decision
📅 From March to July 2026 (about 2–4 months)
During this period:
The government responds and defends itself
Judges read the case files
Sometimes a hearing is held
⏳ This stage takes time
➡️ Usually up to 4 months
🔴 Step 4: The Important Decision (Preliminary Ruling)
📅 Around July 2026
Now the judge decides:
❓ Will the Department of State be forced to lift the visa suspension or not?
From here, scenarios begin 👇
✅ Best Scenario (Most Likely)
📌 The court agrees and issues a preliminary ruling in your favor.
What does this mean?
The Department of State is legally obligated to:
Open interviews
Issue DV visas
Implementation is immediate.
You do not wait for the final ruling.
Even if:
The government appeals
➡️ The order continues to be enforced.
⚠️ Second Scenario: Government Requests a STAY (Stop the Order)
After losing, the government may say:
We want to temporarily stop the order.
Here are two possibilities:
✅ Most likely:
The court rejects the STAY
The order continues
Visas are issued
❌ Less likely:
The court accepts the STAY
Implementation stops temporarily
We wait for a higher court
📌 In these cases, accepting a STAY is unlikely.
🔁 Step 5: Appeal
📅 End of 2026
The government files an appeal.
The appeal may take:
From 1 to 3 years.
❗ Very important:
The appeal does not stop visa issuance.
Only a STAY can stop it.
🟣 Step 6: Final Decision
📅 Between 2027 and 2029
The court issues the final ruling after:
All hearings
Possibly multiple appeals
What about those who already received visas?
Usually:
Visas are not revoked,
because they were issued under a court order.
🧠 Very Simple Summary:
1️⃣ There is no immediate decision after filing the lawsuit
2️⃣ The important decision is the preliminary ruling
3️⃣ If it is issued without a STAY:
Visas are issued immediately
4️⃣ Appeals take years but usually do not stop enforcement
5️⃣ Most people benefit before the final ruling
January 15, 2026 at 15:32
As a citizen here in America is there any way can we do. I feel injustice and immigration hates and no one is doing anything against them
January 15, 2026 at 16:27
There are people fighting – but it takes time…
January 15, 2026 at 08:51
I am from Morocco. I have been selected in the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery, and Morocco is among the list of eligible countries.
I would like to ask for clarification regarding the visa interview process. If I can prove during my interview that I have sufficient financial resources (for example, my bank account holds $50,000) and that I have purchased U.S.-based health insurance, will this be sufficient for my visa to be approved? Or is the decision still potentially postponed, even if I can demonstrate that I have financial stability, health insurance, and that I will not be a public charge in the United States?
thank you
January 15, 2026 at 10:48
During the pause there are no visas issued. So – even if you show you will not become a public charge, that doesn’t mean you will be issued the visa during the pause. In fact, that standard is applied anyway.
January 15, 2026 at 05:45
Hey, do you think this suspension will affect the general DV pause? After these new restrictions on 75 countries, do you think they might reopen the general DV processing soon?
January 15, 2026 at 09:49
I hope so – but who knows. This is an untamed illogical beast.
January 15, 2026 at 04:27
There is new 2 lawsuit will be soon.
https://redeaglelaw.com/group-lawsuit-dv2026
Curits is cool. It is important that DV2027 unannouncing also will be included. Please make video of it.
January 15, 2026 at 09:34
Yep I’m planning something…
January 14, 2026 at 23:32
Hi Simon,
If the principal applicant (my wife) claims eligibility on cross chargeability on husbands country (which is now one of the 75 IV suspensed nations) does the immigrant suspension rule apply in this case?
January 14, 2026 at 23:43
I dont know, but for DV the other pause is in place anyway.
January 28, 2026 at 08:20
In President Trump’s recent speech, do his remarks about welcoming legal immigrants who “love the United States” do you think these statements could be a sign of positive actions for the Diversity Visa in the future?
January 28, 2026 at 09:02
Not really. Trump has been back and forth like that for years. However, I also don’t think we should be too concerned about Trump’s views in general – he talks a lot, and does little.
January 14, 2026 at 22:26
Mr.Brit, does K-1 fall under immigrant or non-immigrant visa category?
Am hoping spousal visas may not be affected for long. Thanks
January 14, 2026 at 22:41
I only answer DV lottery questions.
January 14, 2026 at 21:19
HI Simon
I have a few questions regarding a potential legal challenge filed by attorney Samir against the decision titled “Immigrant Visa Processing Updates for Nationalities at High Risk of Public Benefits Usage,” assuming the appeal is submitted around March.
First, based on your experience, do you believe U.S. courts are more likely to rule in favor of the Trump administration or in favor of affected immigrants?
Second, considering typical litigation timelines, do you think there is a realistic possibility that a court ruling favorable to immigrants—such as a preliminary decision or injunction—could be issued before October 1, 2026 ?
Third, once attorney Curtis Morrison files the appeal, does the court automatically issue a temporary suspension of the president’s decision regarding the addition of the 75 countries, or must a separate request for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction be filed and approved by the court? thank you
January 14, 2026 at 22:38
1. Impossible to answer.
2. Maybe
3. Impossible to answer.
January 14, 2026 at 20:11
Hi Brit,
I’m trying to understand how these measures might interact in practice. Since the government has now introduced a formal pause on visa issuance for the 75 listed countries, would it be reasonable to assume that the separate pause on DV lottery processing could eventually be reconsidered, given that DV selectees from most countries are already covered by this broader visa issuance restriction?
I also wanted to ask about a practical scenario. If my current citizenship is on the 75-country list, but I legally obtain a second citizenship from a non-banned country before the interview, would it be OK to submit the DS-260 using my original citizenship (while I still have not obtained second one) and then attend the interview with the new and old passports, asking for the case to be considered under the new citizenship (assuming DV processing resumes)?
In that situation, would eligibility be determined by the applicant’s citizenship at the time of interview or visa issuance, rather than at the time of DS-260 submission?
January 14, 2026 at 22:37
I’m sure we could think of all sorts of possible scenarios – but who knows what will happen.
As for the practical scenario – they will consider a newly gained citizenship – but they are starting to close that loophole too – so again – speculation is just that.
January 14, 2026 at 19:36
Hi Simon,
Thanks for the update! Just one question: if I were to win DV2027 as a citizen of Spain with country of birth Algeria, would the ban/pause apply?
January 14, 2026 at 19:37
You would be affected by the DV lottery pause, but exempt from the new pause – but of course that assumes the pauses would still be in place…