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Tengrinews.kz – The U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Julie Stufft, commented on the suspension of the green card lottery. During a briefing at the embassy, she addressed questions regarding whether the lottery would be resumed.
What the Ambassador said
The U.S., a country built by immigrants, has a strong historical connection to immigration, which is reflected in its laws and regulations. The ambassador clarified that the suspension of the green card lottery is not a complete cancellation, but a temporary measure aimed at improving migration flows and refining existing processes.
"This is not a full cancellation. We see this as a temporary measure, and the process is designed to help migration flows and improve existing issues," said Ambassador Stufft.
She added that similar initiatives have been implemented before to enhance the program and simplify the process for participants.
Ambassador Stufft also mentioned that one of her key goals is to increase the number of Kazakh citizens visiting the U.S. and the number of Americans visiting Kazakhstan.
Green Card Lottery in the U.S.
The green card lottery program offers 50,000 visas annually for citizens of countries that are underrepresented in the U.S. For the 2025 lottery, almost 20 million people applied; with family members included, over 131,000 winners were selected. Winners must then undergo standard checks and an interview before being granted U.S. permanent resident status.
Earlier, the U.S. made changes to the green card lottery rules. As of September 16, registration for the lottery became paid; applicants now need to pay 1 dollar to submit their entry. Previously, participation was completely free.
The U.S. has also tightened rules for applying for non-immigrant visas, including tourist visas (B1/B2). Applications can now only be submitted in the country of citizenship or permanent residence.
Press attaché Christopher Sorensen clarified that these new rules do not apply to Kazakhstan. The changes primarily affect citizens of countries where there is no regular non-immigrant visa processing procedure, including Russia.
