United States: Department of State Announces All Available Diversity Visas Issued for 2023
September 11, 2023

The U.S. Department of State has announced that, as of September 7, 2023, it has issued all available diversity visas (DVs) for 2023. The Department of State acknowledges that the early conclusion of the 2023 program may be disappointing to selectees who were unable to receive a visa but notes that the 2025 DV program entry period will open in early October of this year, and encourages all who are eligible to apply.
As previously stated in the DV-2023 program instructions, the DV program is limited to the issuance of approximately 55,000 visas each fiscal year. Selection does not guarantee that an applicant will receive a visa interview or a visa. Selection merely means the person may be eligible to participate in the DV program and may potentially apply for a visa, but it is not a guarantee. Due to the probability that some of the first 55,000 persons selected will not qualify for visas or ultimately choose not to participate in the program, more individuals are selected to participate in the program each year than the number of visas which are available. This is done to ensure that the maximum number of visas available under the DV program are issued in any given year.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
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