Diversity Visa 2025 Update: Egypt Nearing 7% Cap

Key Point  

• The Department of State announced that Egypt is nearing its 7% cap for Diversity Visas in the 2025 program, which may lead to canceled interviews and reduced visa availability for Egyptian applicants 

Diversity Visa Impact for Egyptian Nationals 

On August 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that Egypt is close to reaching the 7% per-country cap for Diversity Visas (DVs) in the Fiscal Year 2025 program. This development may result in canceled visa interviews and limited availability for Egyptian applicants.  

Key Takeaways:

• Per-Country Limit: U.S. immigration law restricts any single country from receiving more than 7% of the total DVs issued in a fiscal year. For FY 2025, that equates to approximately 3,644 of the 52,056 available visas. 
• Impact on Egyptian Nationals: As Egypt approaches this threshold, the State Department may begin canceling scheduled interviews for applicants who cannot be issued a visa due to the cap. 
• No Guarantee of Visa Issuance: Selection in the DV lottery does not guarantee a visa or interview. Officials advise applicants that visa availability depends on numerical limits and eligibility requirements.
• Future Eligibility: Affected individuals may reapply in future DV programs, provided their country of chargeability remains eligible. 

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