Visa Lottery Tightens Up: Scan Your Passport or Stay Home

2026-04931 — Schedule of Fees for Consular Services-Fee for Administrative Processing of Request for Certificate of Loss of Nationality of the United States

Good news for U.S. citizens and nationals who want to give up their citizenship! Starting April 13, 2026, the fee for processing a Certificate of Loss of Nationality drops from $2,350 to just $450. This big price cut makes it way easier and cheaper to handle this important paperwork at U.S. embassies and consulates.

2025-17851 — Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates-Visa Services Fee Changes

The Department of State is adding a $1 fee to enter the Diversity Visa lottery to share costs more fairly among all applicants. This means everyone who wants to try their luck at the visa lottery will pay a small fee upfront, instead of only winners paying later. The new fee will start when you register online, so get ready to pay a buck when you apply!

2025-14826 — Visas: Visa Bond Pilot Program

The Department of State is launching a 12-month pilot program where some travelers applying for B-1/B-2 visas from certain countries might need to pay a bond up to $15,000. This applies to visitors from places with high visa overstays or special citizenship rules. The goal? To make sure folks follow visa rules and keep travel safe and fair.

2026-06212 — 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Technology Security/Clearance Plans, Screening Records, and Non-Disclosure Agreements Pursuant to 22 CFR 126.18

The Department of State wants to keep collecting info from businesses and nonprofits about their tech security plans, background checks, and confidentiality agreements. They’re asking for public feedback by April 30, 2026, to make sure the process is clear and not too time-consuming. This update won’t cost extra but will keep the paperwork steady, with about 10,000 groups involved and 10 hours needed per response.

2026-06211 — 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Request for Commodity Jurisdiction Determination

The Department of State wants to keep collecting info from people asking if their products need special government approval before export. They’re asking for your thoughts by April 30, 2026, to make sure the process is clear and not too time-consuming. About 300 folks a year spend around 4 hours each filling out this form, and the Department wants to keep things smooth and easy.

2026-06209 — 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Request To Change End-User, End-Use and/or Destination of Hardware and Open General Licenses

The Department of State wants to keep collecting info when people or businesses ask to change who uses certain defense hardware, how it’s used, or where it’s sent. This affects exporters and importers of defense items and helps the government keep track of important shipments. You’ve got until April 30, 2026, to share your thoughts, and it usually takes about an hour to fill out the form.

Previous: 2026-04694 — Updates to the Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order

Starting April 9, 2026, popcorn processors will officially pay a slightly higher fee—6 cents per hundredweight instead of 5 cents—to support popcorn research and promotion. The update also adds rules for late payments, including interest charges, making sure everyone pays on time. This keeps popcorn programs running smoothly and fairly, with no surprise costs since the higher rate has been charged since 2001.

Next: 2026-04753 — Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; 2026 and 2027 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

The government set new fishing limits for groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska for 2026 and 2027 to keep fish populations healthy and fishing fair. These rules affect fishermen and seafood businesses by controlling how much fish they can catch starting March 17, 2026, through March 17, 2027. The goal is to protect the ocean’s resources while supporting the fishing industry’s future.