Each year, the United States Department of State administers a Diversity Visa Program, a random lottery which awards approximately 50,000 immigrant visas ("diversity visas") to foreign nationals who meet the simple but strict eligibility requirements and are immigrating from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
Online registration for this year's lottery, the 2015 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2015), will begin on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 and will conclude on Saturday, November 2, 2013. In order to apply, applicants must submit electronic applications during this registration period using the electronic DV entry form (E-DV). Paper applications will not be accepted. All applicants must print and retain their online confirmation page after completing their DV applications to allow them future access to their application status.
PLEASE NOTE: Natives of (i.e. foreign nationals born in) the following countries are not eligible to apply for DV-2015: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam.
General information about the DV-2015 Diversity Visa program can be accessed online on the U.S. Department of State website. For detailed instructions and entry requirements, please refer to the DV-2015 Instructions.