DOS Says DV-2020 Applicants May Be Processed in Embassies and Consulates
September 17, 2020
DOS updated its announcement to include information about the amended court order in Gomez v. Trump, which prevents DOS from applying implementation guidance for Proclamations 9984, 9993, 9996, and 10041 to DV-2020 applicants.
September 15, 2020
DOS updated its announcement regarding the processing of DV-2020 applicants to remove information regarding the impact of the five regional COVID Proclamations on immigrant visa processing.
September 14, 2020
DOS updated its announcement regarding the processing of DV-2020 applicants to include information regarding the impact of Presidential Proclamations 9645 and 9983. DOS also noted that applicants in other visa categories may be rescheduled by consulates and embassies to prioritize DV applicants through September 30, 2020.
September 9, 2020
DOS updated the announcement to include a prioritization plan for DV-2020 applicants.
September 8, 2020
DOS announced that following the district court ruling in Gomez v. Trump, DV-2020 applicants may be processed in embassies and consulates where local health conditions and post resources allow. If a post is unable to process cases due to local health conditions and resource constraints, an applicant may request a transfer to another post.
DOS notes that although DV-2020 applicants may be issued an immigrant visa under the court order, DV visa recipients must also meet an exception to Presidential Proclamation 10014 in order to travel to the United States on the issued visa while the Proclamation is in effect. DV applicants subject to a regional COVID Proclamation (Brazil, Ireland, U.K., Schengen Zone countries, Iran, and China) may be interviewed and processed, but applicants who have been physically present in the affected region during the preceding 14-day period will not be issued an immigrant visa, unless excepted.
Related Resources
- Resource Related to Lawsuit Granting Preliminary Relief for Diversity Visa Applicants
- District Court Grants Preliminary Relief for DV-2020 Applicants (Gomez, et al., v. Trump, et al., 9/4/20)
- Practice Alert: Advising Clients Concerning Impact of Preliminary Stay in Gomez v. Trump on DV-2020 Selectees
- Practice Pointer: Obtaining a National Interest Exception for Presidential Proclamation 10014, Suspending Entry of Certain Immigrants
- Resources Related to Presidential Proclamations Temporarily Suspending Entry of Certain Immigrants and Nonimmigrants into the United States
- Resource Center: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)