If you are a Nepal national who was selected in the DV-2026 diversity visa lottery, the April 2026 Visa Bulletin carries a number you need to pay close attention to: 10,000. That is the allocation cutoff for Nepal in April, significantly below the 35,000 cutoff that applies to the broader Asia region this month. At Ahluwalia Law Offices, PC, we are advising Nepali DV selectees to treat their case with urgency because the window to act closes permanently on September 30, 2026.
How the DV Lottery Cutoff System Works
The Diversity Immigrant Visa program, established under Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available each fiscal year to nationals of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. For FY2026, after reductions required under the NACARA program and the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2024, the effective annual limit is approximately 52,000 visas.
DVs are distributed across six geographic regions. Within each region, individual countries can have their own separate cutoff number if demand from that country is high relative to supply. Nepal falls under the Asia region but carries its own lower cutoff of 10,000 compared to 35,000 for other Asian countries. This means only Nepali applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers below 10,000 are authorized to proceed in April. If your rank number is above 10,000, you cannot yet move forward this month even if you are otherwise ready to file.
The September 30, 2026 Deadline Is Absolute
Every DV-2026 selectee must understand one non-negotiable fact: entitlement to DV-2026 immigrant status expires on September 30, 2026. There are no extensions. There are no exceptions. If your case is not fully adjudicated, meaning your immigrant visa is issued at a consulate abroad or your Adjustment of Status is approved domestically, before that date, your selection is void. Your DV status cannot carry over into FY2027.
This deadline applies equally to derivative beneficiaries. Spouses and children accompanying or following to join a DV-2026 principal are entitled to derivative status only through September 30, 2026. If a family member’s case is not resolved by that date, they lose derivative eligibility even if the principal’s case was approved.
Numbers Could Be Exhausted Before September 30
The April 2026 bulletin includes a specific caution that applies directly to DV selectees: DV availability through the end of FY2026 cannot be taken for granted. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30. This is not hypothetical language. In prior fiscal years, DV numbers have run out before the fiscal year ended, leaving selectees with valid rank numbers and valid documentation unable to proceed because the annual cap was already reached.
For Nepal nationals, the compressed cutoff of 10,000 relative to the broader Asia region makes this risk more acute. A smaller pool of authorized numbers means the pace of processing matters more.
Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing: Know Your Path
DV-2026 selectees in the United States who are otherwise eligible to adjust status may file Form I-485 with USCIS rather than pursuing an immigrant visa through consular processing abroad. Adjustment of Status allows the applicant to complete the process without leaving the U.S., which avoids the consular appointment scheduling delays that have been well-documented in the current environment.
For selectees outside the United States or those who are ineligible to adjust status, consular processing at the U.S. embassy in Kathmandu or another designated post is the route. Given current consular appointment availability challenges, Nepali nationals pursuing consular processing need to be especially proactive about assembling documentation and responding to National Visa Center communications promptly.
Both paths require careful preparation. An error in documentation, a missed communication from NVC, or a delay in scheduling can cost a selectee their entire DV opportunity.
What You Need to Do Right Now
If you are a Nepal national with a DV-2026 selection and your rank number is below 10,000, you should be in active case preparation right now. If your rank number is above 10,000, monitor the monthly bulletins closely and begin documentation assembly now so you are ready to move the moment your number becomes current.
Either way, given the September 30 hard deadline and the risk of numbers exhausting before fiscal year end, waiting is the highest-risk position a DV selectee can be in.
Our attorneys at Ahluwalia Law Offices, PC handle both Adjustment of Status and consular processing for DV selectees. We understand the pace this process demands and are ready to move with you.
FAQ: Nepal DV-2026 April 2026
What does a DV cutoff number of 10,000 mean for Nepal nationals?
It means that only Nepali DV-2026 applicants with lottery rank numbers below 10,000 are authorized to proceed with visa issuance or Adjustment of Status filing in April 2026. Applicants with rank numbers at or above 10,000 must wait until a future bulletin advances the cutoff for Nepal.
Why does Nepal have a lower cutoff than the rest of Asia?
Within the Asia region, individual countries with higher demand may receive their own lower allocation cutoff. Nepal’s cutoff of 10,000 reflects higher demand relative to available numbers compared to other Asian countries, which share a regional cutoff of 35,000 this month.
What happens if I do not use my DV selection before September 30, 2026?
Your DV-2026 selection expires permanently on September 30, 2026. The entitlement cannot be extended, deferred, or carried into the next fiscal year. If your case is not fully adjudicated by that date, your selection is void.
Can my spouse and children also get green cards through my DV selection?
Yes. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 are eligible for derivative DV status. However, they must also complete the process by September 30, 2026. Derivative status does not survive past that date even if the principal applicant’s case is approved.
Should I file for Adjustment of Status or go through the U.S. embassy in Kathmandu?
If you are currently in the United States and otherwise eligible to adjust status, filing I-485 with USCIS may allow you to complete the process without leaving the country. Consular processing is required for applicants outside the U.S. or those ineligible to adjust status. Both paths have distinct documentation requirements and timelines. Consulting an immigration attorney is advisable given the hard September 30 deadline.
What if my rank number is above 10,000 right now?
You cannot proceed with visa issuance in April 2026, but you should monitor future bulletins for cutoff advances. You should also begin assembling required documentation now so that when your number becomes current, you can move without delay. Given the risk of numbers exhausting before September 30, preparation time is not wasted time.
