Thousands of visas are up for grabs for people wanting to move to the Bronx and elsewhere in the United States, thanks to a government lottery.

The U.S. Department of State will award 55,000 visas this year through the Domestic Visa Lottery program. The lottery is meant to help people emigrate from countries with low U.S. immigration rates.

People from countries that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the past five years are ineligible, which excludes countries such as China and Colombia. Applicants must be a native of a qualifying country through birth, marriage or their parents' birthplace. Applicants are also subject to educational or work requirements.

The Bronx Library Center on Kingsbridge Road will help applicants apply through the online-only process. Registration starts October 3 at noon and ends December 2.Related information:U.S. Department of StateNew York Public Library: Bronx Library Center