Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced that the entry period for the Federal Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery Program (DV-2003) begins at noon on October 1, 2001 and runs through noon October 31, 2001. The Mayor urged prospective Visa Lottery entrants to obtain information on how to apply from the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs or the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and Language Services.

"New York City owes more to the energy and hard work of immigrants than any other place in the world," Mayor Giuliani said. "One of the primary reasons that New York is the capital of the world is because our City is home to people from virtually every country on earth. The Diversity Visa Lottery offers 50,000 people the opportunity to become permanent U.S. residents and to continue making contributions to this country. Prospective applicants should understand that there are no short-cuts or hidden advantages that will increase their odds in the lottery. The City of New York will make sure that people have access to the information they need to properly enter the lottery, as well as know how to avoid fraud and con-artists who hope to take advantage of applicants."

The U.S. State Department will award 50,000 permanent resident visas nationwide through its eighth annual Diversity Visa Lottery. Random selection in the Visa Lottery does not guarantee the "lottery winner" will receive a permanent resident visa, but it does make the winner eligible to apply for a green card.

Mayor Giuliani announced that the Department of Consumer Affairs will conduct an education outreach campaign to steer prospective lottery participants away from the fraudulent practices of unscrupulous immigration service providers.

Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jane S. Hoffman said, "The Visa Lottery is the green light for 50,000 immigrants to get their green card. Hopeful entrants need to be aware that no one can do anything to help them win. Anyone hoping to apply for permanent resident status or entry in the green card lottery needs to know that the Giuliani Administration is dedicated to making sure that their rights are protected."

Natalia Pavlova, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and Language Services, said that the number of Visa Lottery entries increases each year. "Last year, the National Visa Center received 13 million applications worldwide, but 3 million were disqualified because applicants failed to follow instructions. Entering the Visa Lottery program is easy and uncomplicated." The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and Language Services provides up-to-date and accurate information about the lottery. "We want to bring to applicants' attention changes in this year's entry mailing address and photo requirements. In addition, applications should be signed in the applicant's native language," Ms. Pavlova added. Individuals may contact the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and Language Services, or reliable immigration service providers, such as the New York Immigration Hotline (212) 419-3737 for more information and advice.

This year changes for the DV-2003 Visa Lottery are:

The following rules and restrictions also govern the free lottery.

Prospective lottery entrants can consult the following organizations for assistance:

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
(202) 331-7199
http://travel.state.gov

NEW YORK IMMIGRATION HOTLINE
(212) 419-3737

U.S. IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE
(800) 375-5283

The lottery program was established by the Immigration Act of 1990 to help expand the number of countries from which new immigrants to the United States originate.

The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs and the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and Language Services have produced a special publication to explain the rules and restrictions of the upcoming Visa Lottery. A Consumer Guide to the Fall 2001 "DV-2003" Permanent-Resident Visa Lottery brochure is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and now in German and Polish. The agencies also publish Beware of Immigration Services Fraud, a brochure available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Haitian Creole, Italian, and Korean. To get a free copy of the guides, send a self-addressed envelope to:

New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
42 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
Attn: Visa Lottery
(Please specify the language in which you wish to receive the material.)

This information can also be obtained (in English only) by visiting the DCA website at www.nyc.gov/consumers.

Consumers who believe they are victims of fraud are urged to contact the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs at 42 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 (by mail only); the National Fraud Information Center at (800) 876-7060 or (202) 835-0159; or the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at (877) 382-4357.

www.nyc.gov