Green Card Lottery Winners Face Visa Ineligibility Due to High Case Numbers

Key Takeaways

• DV-2025 visa eligibility ends September 30, 2025; numbers above cut-offs cannot proceed.
• July-September 2025 Visa Bulletin sets regional and country-specific cut-offs for DV winners.
• Selectees from Egypt, Algeria, Iran, Nepal face lower cut-offs, reducing visa chances.

The U.S. Department of State’s most recent updates to the Diversity Visa (DV) program, also known as the Green Card Lottery, have brought significant changes for thousands of hopeful immigrants worldwide. As of July 16, 2025, many winners of the DV-2025 Green Card Lottery have learned that they are ineligible to receive visas because their case numbers are too high. This update, confirmed by the latest DOS Visa Bulletin releases for July, August, and September 2025, has immediate and far-reaching effects for selectees, especially those from countries with high demand.

Let’s break down what has changed, who is affected, what actions are required, and what these developments mean for pending and future applications.

What Has Changed: Key Updates from the DOS Visa Bulletin

The Diversity Visa program is designed to offer up to 55,000 immigrant visas each year to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States 🇺🇸. Winners are chosen randomly, but not all winners will actually receive a visa. The DOS Visa Bulletin, published monthly, sets cut-off numbers for each region and some specific countries. Only applicants with case numbers below these cut-offs are eligible to move forward with their visa applications that month.

Recent Visa Bulletin Highlights:

• July 2025: The DOS set regional cut-off numbers, meaning only those with case numbers below the published cut-offs could proceed. For example, Africa’s cut-off was 45,000, Asia’s was 9,000, and Europe’s was 19,000. Some countries with high demand, like Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco, had even lower cut-offs.
• August 2025: Cut-off numbers increased but still left many selectees ineligible. Africa’s cut-off rose to 50,000, Asia’s to 11,000, and Europe’s to 22,000. Country-specific cut-offs remained for places like Iran, Nepal, and Uzbekistan.
• September 2025: The final cut-offs for the fiscal year were announced. Africa’s was 58,500, Asia’s 14,500, and Europe’s 23,000. Again, some countries had lower limits due to high demand.

Critical Deadline: The DV-2025 program ends on September 30, 2025. No visas can be issued after this date, and unused numbers do not carry over to the next year.

Who Is Affected by These Changes?

The main group affected is DV-2025 selectees—people who were notified that they won the Green Card Lottery for this year. However, not all selectees are impacted equally. Here’s how the changes break down:

• High Case Number Holders: If your case number is above your region’s or country’s cut-off for the month, you are not eligible for a visa interview or issuance. This affects thousands of selectees, especially from countries with high demand.
• Selectees from Oversubscribed Countries: Countries like Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Iran, Nepal, and Uzbekistan have lower cut-offs because more people from these countries win the lottery. This means even more selectees from these countries will miss out.
• Applicants with Pending Cases: If you have started your application but your case number is not current, you must wait for the cut-off to reach your number. If it never does before September 30, you lose your chance for a DV-2025 visa.

Why Are Some Winners Ineligible?

The Diversity Visa program always selects more winners than there are available visas. This is intentional, to make sure all 55,000 visas are used even if some people drop out or are found ineligible for other reasons. However, this also means that not every winner will get a visa. The DOS Visa Bulletin sets monthly cut-offs based on how many visas are left and how many people are applying from each region and country.

Key Points to Remember:

• Selection Does Not Guarantee a Visa: Being chosen in the Green Card Lottery only gives you a chance to apply. It does not mean you will definitely get a visa.
• Regional and Country Cut-Offs: Each region and some countries have their own cut-off numbers. If your number is above the cut-off, you cannot move forward that month.
• No Extensions or Carry-Over: If you do not receive your visa by September 30, 2025, you lose your chance. There are no exceptions or extensions.

Step-by-Step Actions for DV-2025 Selectees

If you are a DV-2025 selectee, here’s what you need to do right now:

1. Check Your Case Number: Look at your DV case number and compare it to the current month’s regional or country cut-off in the DOS Visa Bulletin.
2. If Your Number Is Below the Cut-Off:
   • Complete and submit the DS-260 immigrant visa application form. You can find the official DS-260 form and instructions on the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
   • If you are outside the United States 🇺🇸, schedule your consular interview as soon as possible.
   • If you are already in the United States 🇺🇸, you may be eligible to file for adjustment of status. Check the USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Charts to see if you qualify.
3. If Your Number Is Above the Cut-Off:
   • You are not eligible for a visa interview or issuance that month.
   • Keep checking the Visa Bulletin each month to see if your number becomes current.
   • If your number never becomes current before September 30, 2025, you will not receive a DV-2025 visa.
4. Act Quickly: If your number becomes current, do not delay. Visa numbers can run out before the end of the fiscal year, and processing times can be unpredictable.
5. No Exceptions: There are no extensions, exceptions, or carry-overs. The deadline is strict.

Implications for Pending Applications

If you have already started your application but your case number is not yet current, you must wait and watch the monthly Visa Bulletin. If your number becomes current, you need to act immediately. If your number never becomes current, your application will not move forward, and you will lose eligibility for this year’s program.

For those who have already had their interviews and are waiting for a decision, the main risk is that visa numbers could run out before your case is approved. The DOS has warned that visa numbers may be exhausted before September 30, so there is no guarantee that everyone with a current number will get a visa.

Regional Disparities and Country-Specific Impacts

Some regions and countries are hit harder by these changes than others. For example:

• Africa: The region has the largest number of selectees and the highest cut-off numbers, but also the most country-specific limits. Selectees from Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco face much lower cut-offs than the rest of Africa.
• Asia: Iran and Nepal have their own lower cut-offs, making it harder for selectees from these countries to get visas.
• Europe: Russia and Uzbekistan have lower cut-offs, so selectees from these countries are also more likely to miss out.

This system is designed to spread visas more evenly, but it means that selectees from high-demand countries have a smaller chance of getting a visa, even if they are selected in the lottery.

Advice from Immigration Attorneys and Advocacy Groups

Immigration attorneys strongly advise DV selectees to act as soon as their number becomes current. Delays can mean missing out, especially if visa numbers run out before the end of the fiscal year. Attorneys also remind applicants that selection is not a guarantee and that the process is highly competitive.

Advocacy groups continue to push for reforms to the Diversity Visa program. They want more transparency in how cut-offs are set and are calling for changes to the allocation formula to reduce the number of disappointed selectees each year.

Statements from the Department of State

The DOS has made it clear in its Visa Bulletins and public statements that selection in the Green Card Lottery does not guarantee a visa. The department urges selectees to act quickly and reminds everyone that the program ends on September 30 each year, with no exceptions.

Historical Context and Future Outlook

The problem of high case numbers and ineligibility is not new. Every year, the Diversity Visa program selects more winners than there are visas available. This over-selection is intentional, to make sure all visas are used, but it leads to disappointment for many selectees.

As of July 2025, there are no announced changes to the way the program is run or to the number of visas available. If demand continues to rise, future Visa Bulletins may set even lower cut-offs, making it even harder for selectees from high-demand countries to get visas.

Summary Table: DV-2025 Regional Cut-Offs (September 2025)

If your case number is above these cut-offs, you are not eligible for a DV-2025 visa.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

• DOS Visa Bulletin: The most up-to-date information on cut-off numbers and eligibility is always available on the official Visa Bulletin page.
• USCIS Adjustment of Status: For those already in the United States 🇺🇸, check the USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Charts to see if you can apply for a green card without leaving the country.
• Legal Assistance: If you have questions or need help, contact an immigration attorney or an accredited representative.

Practical Guidance and Next Steps

If you are a DV-2025 selectee, here’s what you should do right now:

• Check the Latest Visa Bulletin: Find your region and country’s cut-off number for the current month.
• Compare Your Case Number: If your number is below the cut-off, move forward with your application immediately.
• Submit Required Forms: Complete the DS-260 form and gather all necessary documents.
• Schedule Your Interview: If you are outside the United States 🇺🇸, book your consular interview as soon as possible.
• File for Adjustment of Status: If you are in the United States 🇺🇸 and eligible, file your adjustment of status application with USCIS.
• Monitor Monthly Updates: Keep checking the Visa Bulletin each month until your number becomes current or the program ends.
• Act Without Delay: Visa numbers can run out quickly, and the deadline is final.

Implications for Future Applicants

The current situation is a reminder that the Green Card Lottery is not a guaranteed path to a U.S. green card. High demand, regional limits, and strict deadlines mean that many selectees will not receive visas. If you plan to apply in the future, keep in mind:

• Apply Early: The earlier you submit your application after selection, the better your chances.
• Understand the Risks: Not all selectees will get a visa, especially from high-demand countries.
• Stay Informed: Regularly check the DOS Visa Bulletin and official resources for updates.

Conclusion

The latest updates to the Green Card Lottery process, as confirmed by the DOS Visa Bulletin, mean that many DV-2025 selectees with high case numbers are now ineligible for visas. The strict regional and country cut-offs, combined with the annual cap and the final deadline of September 30, 2025, have left thousands of hopeful immigrants disappointed. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the best advice for current and future selectees is to act quickly, stay informed, and understand that selection is only the first step in a highly competitive process.

For the most accurate and current information, always refer to the official DOS Visa Bulletin. If you need help, seek guidance from a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative. The Green Card Lottery remains a unique opportunity, but it requires careful attention to deadlines, cut-offs, and official instructions to have the best chance of success.

Learn Today

Diversity Visa (DV) → An immigrant visa program offering 55,000 visas annually to people from low-immigration countries.
DOS Visa Bulletin → A monthly publication setting cutoff case numbers determining visa application eligibility.
Case Number → A unique number assigned to each DV selectee determining visa priority and eligibility.
Adjustment of Status → Process for applicants in the U.S. to change immigration status without leaving the country.
Cut-Off Number → The highest case number eligible to proceed with visa processing in a given month.

This Article in a Nutshell

The DOS updated the DV-2025 lottery cut-offs, making thousands ineligible due to case numbers above limits. Selectees must monitor monthly bulletins and act quickly before the September 30 deadline, as no extensions exist and visas from high-demand countries face stricter restrictions.
— By VisaVerge.com