Each year the U.S. Department of State distributes 50,000 immigrant visas to applicants from qualifying countries in a random drawing pursuant to the Diversity Visa Lottery Program. The application period for the 2014 Diversity Visa Lottery is 12:00 p.m. EST Tuesday, October 2, 2012 through 12:00 p.m. EST Saturday, November 3, 2012.

Applicants must apply on-line at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/. The Department of State will disqualify all entries by an applicant if more than one entry for that applicant is received. More information on qualifying countries, education and work experience requirements, and the application process is available at http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html.