The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program ("DV Lottery") is open to people from countries with "historically low rates of immigration" to the U.S. Selected individuals who successfully complete the immigration process will be able to obtain their immigrant visa or adjust status (become permanent residents/green card holders) in the U.S., along with their dependents. The program will start taking applications Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4) and close Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5).

Starting October 1, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will require all applicants applying for permanent residence or refugee status to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with some exceptions. All medical examinations performed by a Civil Surgeon on or after October 1, 2021 will require proof of vaccination.

On July 15, 2021, a Texas federal judge found the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program illegal and blocked new applications.  However, the ruling allows current DACA beneficiaries to continue to seek renewal of status. The Biden administration intends to appeal this decision.

Effective March 9, USCIS suspended use of the “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds” rule instituted by the Trump administration.  Petitioners and applicants who have not yet filed should not fill out or provide information related to Form I-944.

Beginning March 1, 2021, USCIS will go to to using the 2008 version of the naturalization civics tests.

Effective December 7, 2020 and pursuant to court order, the USCIS re-implemented the DACA policies in place before September 5, 2017.  As a result, the agency is currently accepting new DACA applications based on those terms, and modifying decisions taken under the new policies to comply with the original terms of the DACA program.

The USCIS has announced changes to the Civics portion of the naturalization test.   Applicants who file before December 1, 2020 will take the current version (the “2008 version”).  Those who file on or after that date will take the test put in place by the Trump Administration, the “2020 version.”

On September 29, 2020 a federal district court blocked implementation of the increases, as well as every other provision contained in the Final Rule.

It is critical for nonimmigrants to check the “admit until” date on their I-94s after each entry to the United States.