Through the 2014 Green Card Lottery Program, the United States government grants 50,000 Immigration Visas (also known as Green Cards) to individuals from eligible countries to work and live in the United States as part of the Diversity Immigrant Visa Association. The list of eligible countries is comprised of those which have a low immigration rate to the United States (defined as less than 50,000 in the last five years). Selected at random from a computerized lottery system, Green Card recipients may travel freely to and from the United States and are considered permanent residents. They are legally entitled to work as well as receive health, education, taxation, retirement, social security as well as other benefits. They may also serve as sponsors for their relatives seeking Immigration Visas (Green Cards). A Green Card holder may later apply for US Citizenship and still maintain citizenship in his/her country of origin. Green Cards are valid for a lifetime.
