DV-2026 October Cut-Offs (Sept 2025 Visa Bulletin)

The U.S. Department of State has released the September 2025 Visa Bulletin, establishing Diversity Visa (DV-2026) rank cut-offs for October 2025 interviews. Below we unpack the initial numbers, highlight key early trends, and provide context compared to last year’s program.

Per the State Department, the DV-2026 program begins on October 1, 2025 and runs through September 30, 2026. These initial cut-offs set the stage for early DV-2026 interviews following the conclusion of DV-2025.

October 2025 DV Interview Cut-Offs by Region (Official)

DV-2026 selectees with case numbers below the figures shown are current for an October interview; those with numbers at or above these cut-offs will await later visa bulletin updates.

• Africa (AF): 17,500 (Exceptions: Algeria 14,500; Egypt 16,000)
• Asia (AS): 10,000 (Exception: Nepal 6,000)
• Europe (EU): 7,750
• North America (Bahamas): 20
• Oceania (OC): 1,100
• South America & Caribbean (SA): 1,850

Example: An Asia selectee from any country except Nepal with case number 9,500 is current (under AS 10,000), while a Nepalese selectee with case 7,000 is not current due to the Nepal 6,000 cutoff.

Source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin (September 2025):

Initial Observations: DV-2026 vs DV-2025

The DV-2026 bulletin shows significantly higher starting cut-offs compared to DV-2025’s first bulletin. This aggressive start may reflect fewer selectees (approximately 125,000 selected for DV-2026 vs 131,000 for DV-2025) and an effort to avoid the visa wastage seen last year. Below is a comparison of last year’s opening cut-offs and this year’s:

• Africa: DV-2025 opened at 15,000; DV-2026 opens at 17,500 (with higher country limits for Algeria and Egypt).
• Asia: Jumped from 3,000 to 10,000; Nepal’s cap roughly doubled (from ~2,950 to 6,000), and notably there is no Iran-specific cutoff this year.
• Europe: Up from 6,000 to 7,750, and no separate limits for high-volume countries (Russia/Uzbekistan) initially, unlike last year.
• Oceania: 500 → 1,100 – more than double last year’s start.
• South America/Caribbean: 825 → 1,850 – also more than double.

In short, every region’s October cutoff is markedly higher than the previous year’s. This suggests the State Department is front-loading more cases for interview early on. If processing goes efficiently, we could see cut-offs continue to advance rapidly in the coming months, possibly reaching “current” (no cutoff) earlier in the fiscal year.

October Cut-Offs and Expectations

These initial numbers largely align with expectations that DV-2026 would start strong. Africa’s 17,500 cutoff instantly makes nearly one-fifth of its ~87k case numbers current, indicating an intent to clear the region by year’s end if possible. Asia’s 10,000 start is a major leap and covers all countries except Nepal up to that number – reflecting lower overall selectee density outside Nepal. Europe’s 7,750, while the lowest regional cutoff in absolute terms, is a higher starting point than last year and arrives with no country exceptions, implying a more balanced distribution of selectees across Europe. Meanwhile, Oceania and SA/Caribbean begin at relatively high numbers, positioning those regions to go current within a few bulletins if demand allows.

One notable change is the absence of an Iran-specific cutoff in Asia, unlike DV-2025. This could mean Iran’s selectee count was moderate enough not to require its own limit at the outset. Nepal remains the only country with a restricted cutoff (6,000) due to its high selection volume – a common occurrence given Nepal’s robust participation each year.

Observations & Advice for DV-2026 Selectees

• Africa: With the cutoff at 17,500, a large portion of AF cases will be eligible for October interviews. If your AF number is below this, ensure your DS-260 and civil documents are submitted so you can be scheduled promptly. Those just above 17.5k should stay prepared – cut-offs often jump quickly in the early bulletins, so November’s bulletin could very well include you.
• Asia: An Asia-wide cutoff of 10,000 means most selectees from countries other than Nepal under that number are current. Nepal is the exception: only up to 6,000 for now. Nepali selectees above 6k will likely become eligible in the next few months as the Nepal cutoff increases. If you’re from Iran or another Asian country and under 10k, you’re in good shape for October – just finalize your paperwork swiftly.
• Europe: The initial cutoff of 7,750 encompasses many EU selectees. If your case is under that, you could be in the first batch of interviews (pending processing). Those above 7.7k will wait for subsequent bulletins, but given no country was singled out, even high case numbers have reason to be optimistic this year. Still, proceed with all requirements quickly so you’re ready when your number becomes current.
• Oceania: An OC cutoff of 1,100 is a strong start (roughly a third of the region’s case range). Historically, Oceania often goes current early. If you’re below 1,100, be prepared for your interview scheduling; if slightly above, it’s likely only a short wait.
• South America & Caribbean: At 1,850, the SA region is starting at nearly half its total case numbers. Like Oceania, this region typically becomes current well before year-end. Selectees under 1,850 should expect interview notices soon (as long as processing is complete), while those above will likely see the cutoff reach them in the next couple of bulletins.
• North America (Bahamas): A cutoff of 20 covers almost all cases for the Bahamas. Essentially, NA is already current at the outset. Eligible Bahamas selectees should ensure they’re ready for their interviews right away.

October 2025 DV Interview Cut-Offs (Initial)

• Africa: 17,500 (Algeria 14,500; Egypt 16,000)
• Asia: 10,000 (Nepal 6,000)
• Europe: 7,750
• Oceania: 1,100
• South America: 1,850
• North America: 20

Interactive Charts

Chart 1: DV-2026 Cut-Off Progression (Oct 2025 – TBD)

The line chart below will track the month-to-month advance of DV-2026 cut-offs. At this early stage, only October data is available – stay tuned as the trend develops with future bulletins.

Chart 2: Visas Issued by Region (DV-2025 Final)

For context, the bar chart below shows the approximate distribution of DV-2025 visas issued by region. This provides a benchmark for how the 55,000 visas were allocated last year, as we begin DV-2026.

Chart 3: DV-2025 Issuance vs. Cut-Offs

This chart from DV-2025 compares final visas issued to the ending cut-off numbers for each region (from May through September 2025). It highlights the relationship between how far a region’s cut-offs advanced and how many visas were issued. As DV-2026 progresses, we’ll watch for similar patterns.

Chart 4: Initial DV-2026 Regional Cut-Offs

The bar chart below visualizes the official October 2025 cut-off numbers for DV-2026 by region, illustrating the distribution of case number limits at the start of the new DV year.

Looking Ahead

The DV-2026 journey is now underway. With higher starting cut-offs and presumably fewer selectees, there is cautious optimism that more visas will be issued efficiently and fewer will go unused compared to last year. If your case number is already current, watch for your 2NL (Second Notification Letter) and prepare for your interview. If you’re still waiting to become current, keep an eye on the Visa Bulletin each month – early movement is a good sign, but mid-year slowdowns or surprises can happen as processing unfolds. Remember, all DV-2026 visas must be issued by September 30, 2026, so stay on top of your email and respond promptly to any requests from KCC or the embassies. Good luck to all selectees, and we’ll continue to monitor and update you as the DV-2026 progress unfolds in the months ahead.