The State Department has released instructions for the 2009 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-2009), also known as the Green Card Lottery. The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program provides a means for foreign nationals to become permanent residents of the U.S. regardless of whether they have a family member or an employer willing to sponsor them. The State Department has made 55,000 permanent resident visas available to persons meeting the simple, but strict, eligibility requirements. Applications must be submitted electronically between noon EDT on Wednesday October 3, 2007 and noon EST on Sunday December 2, 2007. The electronic application must be submitted online at www.dvlottery.state.gov. There is no fee. There is no exact form that must be used.