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 2016 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2016), will begin on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 and will conclude on Monday, November 3, 2014. 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-2016: 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. Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible.
For detailed information about the DV-2016 Diversity Visa program, please refer to the U.S. Department of State DV-2016 Instructions.