U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta issued a preliminary injunction on October 14, 2026, compelling the State Department to reopen registration for the Fiscal Year 2027 Diversity Visa Program. The court order resulted from the lawsuit Red Eagle Law, L.C. v. Rubio, filed against Secretary of State Marco Rubio due to the agency’s failure to initiate the registration period. The injunction sets explicit requirements for the announcement and reopening process and provides a revised timeline after a joint request from involved parties.
Revised Deadlines and Registration Process
The court mandated that the government announce registration dates and designate the official electronic application website by no later
than October 29, 2026. Registration must open by November 1, 2026, at the latest. These deadlines serve as maximum limits; the State Department may proceed earlier. Applicants must submit electronic entries only through the official online portal. Paper applications remain unacceptable, and multiple submissions by the same individual will lead to disqualification. Official instructions and participation criteria for DV-2027 are to be publicly disseminated, including publication in the Federal Register.
Overview of the Diversity Visa Program
The Diversity Visa Program annually allocates up to 55,000 immigrant visas to nationals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. Winners are selected by a random
lottery. Selection in the lottery does not ensure visa approval, as applicants must satisfy legal eligibility requirements and successfully complete consular screenings. Only applicants with valid electronic registrations during the designated period are considered.
State Department Visa Issuance Pause
In August 2026, the State Department implemented a pause on the issuance of Diversity Visas, permitting applicants to submit entries and attend interviews but suspending visa grants during this interval. Visa issuance for fiscal year 2027 will resume and continue until allocated visas are exhausted or until September 30, 2027, whichever happens first. The Federal Court retains jurisdiction to enforce or modify this injunction as required.
Implications for Applicants and State Department Obligations
Prospective Diversity Visa applicants now have the opportunity to register within the new court-ordered timeframe. The State Department is legally bound to accept only electronically submitted applications that meet documentation and procedural requirements. Multiple entries per individual remain prohibited and will result in disqualification. The State Department must further publicize the registration details and participation prerequisites through established official channels.
