The Visa Bulletin has been released, and it is almost an exact copy of the last VB, again. This is extremely frustrating, and completely unjustified by the data. It means they will waste embassy capacity in June, just as they did in May.
In Europe in particular, most embassies are without any significant backlog, so there will not be enough cases found to fill the capacity of the embassies. This will continue the low number of 2NLs we will see in each region, which is a pattern I have shown in the report you may have seen on my live sessions, which I will show again here.

So it seems they are not doing as they promised during the pause – and clearly shows bad faith by the government in operating the DV2026 process.
Here are the VB numbers.

Those that are current, and have forms processed early enough, can normally expect their 2NL in the next 2 to 3 weeks from now. This is supposed to be the same every month. VB from the 8th to the 15th of each month, and 2NLs in the second half of the month. For the last few months there have been 2NLs in daily batches, but we seem to be moving to a more normal procedure where almost all the 2NLs are sent before the end of the month, with just a handful being sent earlier this month. I would normally expect all the interview 2NLs to have all been sent by the end of this month, but we can see recently they are exceeding that to try and get as many interviews in as possible. They can be sent right up until the last day of the month, and even the first few days of the following month during exceptional times. One quick point, the 2NLs tend to come out in an approximate alphabetical order, based on the city name of the embassy. So, Addis and Accra tend to be early, and an embassy such as Yaounde would be later. As ever, just be patient…
To those new to looking at VBs, let me explain what the “except” XXX country means – and you can also read this post on how to read the visa bulletin.

May 4, 2026 at 07:03
Do you know when approximately there will be a result for the lawsuit? Or any updates?
May 4, 2026 at 12:12
We can’t be sure of when it will be concluded – but we hope for early June.
April 29, 2026 at 16:54
Should we give up on our hope for this year?
April 29, 2026 at 17:23
Not until September 30th.
April 25, 2026 at 17:49
Hello,
I really need your advice about something. I am DV2026 AF11,000 region IN Addis and I still haven’t received my 2NL . I did add my data into your database and realize others in Ethiopia are still waiting and those who have had their interviews have a 221g. My passport expires in October 2026. Do I renew my passport now even though it takes 2 months to get it back- but the risk is getting my interview date and not having my passport with me for the interview or just waiting and taking my soon to be expired passport to the interview. Most likely I’ll get a 221 g as well then I go renew passport after the interview ? Thoughts ? Thank you so much!
April 25, 2026 at 19:55
I would suggest you update the passport now as it will be at least a couple of months before you are interviewed as you aren’t already scheduled..
April 21, 2026 at 07:17
Hello,
Do think we will enter for DV2027 and DV2028 duriing 2026?
April 21, 2026 at 08:32
Maybe.
April 18, 2026 at 17:35
Hi Brit,
We missed the opportunity to join the lawsuits you previously discussed. If the general DV pause is not lifted, do you think there may be additional lawsuits we could still join later?
Also, based on your experience, do you think a potential resolution would likely apply broadly to all applicants, or be limited only to the plaintiffs involved in the case?
April 18, 2026 at 19:01
There may be follow on lawsuits. Register with Red Eagle Law as they have an interest list.
It is possible that relief will be general, or only for plaintiffs. I don’t have a prediction for which outcome will happen.
April 15, 2026 at 15:16
Hi Simon,
I moved my case (2026EU282XX) from Ankara to Vienna shortly after the DV-2026 results came out and then submitted the DS-260 forms for my family.It seems Ankara is working much better this year. Since I am based in Türkiye, do you think it would make sense to move the case back to Ankara for convenience? (Assuming my case becomes current this year and any scheduling pause is lifted.)
Thanks for your advice!
April 15, 2026 at 23:08
Ankara is doing well this year, so yes.
April 15, 2026 at 04:51
Any news on the pause? Is there any hope it will be lifted?
April 15, 2026 at 07:38
No news – the same hope.
April 14, 2026 at 20:00
Goodday to you @ Brit Simon. Kindly advice on how to get a JPEG image of the passport bio data page. Is it by doing a screen shot or by scanning? Thanks.
April 15, 2026 at 07:35
Instructions will be available later.
April 14, 2026 at 19:48
Disappointing that EU is frozen. Worried about not getting an interview in time now at eu204xx. Thought London embassy was doing ok.
April 14, 2026 at 16:48
But why does this even matter if there’s a pause? even if all of them go to CURRENT there’s zero meaning if the pause continues, no?
April 15, 2026 at 07:33
The pause policy says they will continue interviews, which strongly suggests the pause was to be lifted before the end of the fiscal year. So if interviews continued, and then the pause was lifted, those visas call all be issued quickly. BUT if interviews are not conducted, then that time is lost, and visas will be wasted, EVEN IF the pause is lifted.
April 14, 2026 at 16:07
Hello, Im EU18XXX in Montreal. The status check today still shows at NVC. Hope to get the 2NL this month. Ive heard that Montreal sends all 2nls in only one batch around the 17th of the month. Is it true?
April 14, 2026 at 16:38
It’s not tied to the 17th, but yes, most embassies get one batch a month.
April 14, 2026 at 16:03
Hi Brit,
CN: 2026EU13XXX (Current since April)
Region: Europe (One of the 75 paused countries)
I haven’t received my 2NL yet. Based on the current situation, when should I expect to receive the interview invitation?
Thanks!
April 14, 2026 at 16:37
The experience varies from embassy to embassy. However, I don’t have perfect data on the backlogs at every embassy so it is hard to say when you will be scheduled. Which embassy are you assigned to?
April 14, 2026 at 17:08
Tirana, Albania
April 15, 2026 at 07:34
They seem to be backlogged just under your number – so perhaps you will get a 2NL this month.
April 14, 2026 at 14:03
Hi Simon, Do you think any hope left for 24K for europe? It seems they want to freeze it till the end 🙁
April 14, 2026 at 14:29
I think there is still hope – but only time will tell.
April 14, 2026 at 12:42
Hi Simon!
My case number is EU27XXX. 3 cut off left. What do you think the VB numbers could reach 28000?
April 14, 2026 at 14:28
It is certainly possible. The real question is about embassy capacity.
April 14, 2026 at 12:04
I am a dv 2026 in Africa precisely Ghana. My case number is between 17000 and 17300. Again , I completed my ds 260 in August 2025. But still i have not receive my 2NL yet.
April 14, 2026 at 12:24
Sadly the Accra embassy seems to be not scheduling any cases. There is nothing you can do except hope they change their minds and schedule cases, but to be frank, you are at serious risk of losing your chance.
April 14, 2026 at 11:42
When will DV lottery 2026 open for candidate to apply?
April 14, 2026 at 12:03
We are still waiting for an announcement
April 14, 2026 at 11:42
Dear Sir,
I have analyzed DV 2024 and the distribution of case numbers is similar to DV2026. In 2024 the June cut off was 21,000, in July 27,500, and in August 30,000. It is possible that this year it will be about the same…
April 14, 2026 at 12:03
We have to wait and see. Right now EU is frozen.
April 14, 2026 at 12:07
Before the jump from the 11,000 to 20,000 cutoff, there were 2-3 weeks of no movement. I hope that a big jump will be repeated now…