Key Points
- The DOS has been ordered to issue 9,095 additional visas for 2020 Diversity Visa winners
- The agency was ordered by a federal court to issue the visas on September 4, 2020
- Applications must be adjudicated for the additional visas
- The State Department must process the visas in a “reasonable” timeframe
Overview
The Department of State (DOS) has been ordered by a federal court to issue 9,095 additional visas to 2020 Diversity Visa Lottery winners.
What are the Changes?
On September 4, 2020, the US District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the State Department to issue 9,905 diversity immigrant visas after the regular deadline of September 30. The agency was also ordered to adjudicate applications for the additional visas.
Looking Ahead
The DOS must process all 9,095 diversity visas in accordance with the court’s mandate. However, the agency also has the flexibility to process the diversity visas randomly within a “reasonable” timeframe.
