50,000 immigrant visas are made available each year through a lottery to people who come from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. These visas are not made available for people who come from countries that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the past five years. The State Department's National Visa Center holds the lottery every year, and chooses winners randomly from all qualified entries. If you are selected under this lottery you will be given the opportunity to apply for permanent residence. If permanent residence is granted, then you will be authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. You will also be allowed to bring your spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21 to the United States.
