The Diversity Visa Lottery Registration, also known as the Green Card Lottery, opened on October 7, 2020. Prospective entrants have until Tuesday, November 10, 2020 to register online at the State Department’s official lottery website.

The lottery, open only to natives of countries that have historically low rates of immigration, will make at least 55,000 green cards available. Applicants must have at least two years of work experience or have at least a high school education. The program only accepts applications submitted electronically within the filing window. Candidates must complete all necessary paperwork and undergo extensive screening, including multiple identity confirmations, criminal and security background checks and in-person interviews, before being granted a Permanent Residence Card.

The Diversity Visa Lottery Program was first established in 1990 to encourage migration to the United States to open opportunities for permanent, legal immigration to the United States to those without family or employment ties in the United States. The Department of State determines selectees through a randomized computer drawing, distributing visas among six geographic regions. No single country may receive more than seven percent of the available Diversity Visas in any one year. Diversity Visa recipients make up between 4 and 5 percent of all individuals granted Lawful Permanent Residence.

Additional information about the Diversity Visa Lottery is available here.