On September 30, 2008, the U.S. Department of State released instructions for entering the 2010 Diversity Visa Lottery program. To enter the Diversity Visa Lottery, applicants must submit an on-line application at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ between October 2, 2008 and December 8, 2008. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as website problems are expected toward the filing deadline. Applications will only be accepted until noon EST on December first.

In the Diversity Visa Lottery program certain countries and regions are granted quota visas to diversify the immigration to the United States. Natives of Brazil, Canada, mainland China, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Peru, Poland, South Korea, the United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and Vietnam are ineligible for the Diversity Lottery. For instructions on applying for the Diversity Visa Lottery, please see the Department of Consular Affairs’ website at travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1322.html.