In place of paper applications for the diversity visa lottery, the State Department (DOS) is now accepting electronic applications only. Applications filed electronically will cost the DOS less money, reduce duplicate filings and be more reliable than mail service. Applicants will apply through the consular affairs web site and will be required to submit a digital photograph. There is no fee for this service.

All applications will be received by the Kentucky Consular Center, which will then place the application into one of six geographic regions and assign the applicant an individual number. Within each region, the first applicant randomly selected will be the first person registered, the second applicant selected will be the second person registered, etc. When a case is registered, the applicant will immediately be sent a notification letter that will give visa application instructions.

According to the Department of State, all applicants will be informed promptly of their place on the list. Each month visas will be issued, according to registration lottery rank order, to those ready for visa issuance for that month. Once 50,000 visas are issued, the program ends. The State Department will notify only the winners by mail between May 2004 and July 2004. If an applicant does not receive a registration notification letter by August 2004, he did not win the visa lottery.

Winners of the lottery will pay a special DV-2005 case-processing fee and will also have to pay regular visa fees at the time of visa issuance. Registrants for the DV-2005 lottery will have to have their visa in hand by September 30, 2005 at the latest.

For detailed information on this year's lottery, visit the Siskind Susser Green Card Lottery Center at www.visalaw.com/greencard.html.