Each year, the Diversity Lottery (DV) Program makes 55,000 immigrant visas available through a lottery to people who come from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. This is done to ensure that the immigrants who come to the U.S. are from diverse backgrounds.  Of such visas, 5,000 are allocated for use under NACARA beginning with DV '99. The State Department (DOS) holds the lottery every year, and randomly selects approximately 110,000 applicants from all qualified entries. The DOS selects the approximately 110,000 applications since many will not complete the visa process. However once 55,000 are issued or the fiscal year ends, the DV program is closed. If you receive a visa through the Diversity Visa Lottery Program you will be authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. You will also be allowed to bring your spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21 to the United States.  DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year.  To qualify for the visa, one must meet minimum educational and other requirements.

If you want to know how to register --> click for Diversity Visa 2009 Lottery Instructions