The DV2016 Diversity Visa lottery (“green card lottery”) program will be open for fiscal year 2016 applications starting October 1, 2014, and ending November 3, 2014. The applications must be submitted online at https://www.dvlottery.state.gov/. You can find instructions at http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/diversity-visa/instructions.html.
Diversity visas, also known as lottery visas, are a great option for foreign nationals whose countries do not have already high levels of immigration to the U.S. to apply to come live permanently in the United States. Nationals of the following countries may not participate: 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.