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DEPARTMENT OF STATE ANNOUNCES DV-99 GREEN CARD LOTTERY 
In a surprise move, the Department of State has announced the rules for the next green card lottery, the DV-99 program, several months ahead of expectations. According to the Department of State, the massive volume of entries has created an enormous amount of work for the National Visa Center and the earlier entry period is necessary to ensure that registrants are notified in a more timely manner. This will give registrants and embassies and consulates overseas more time to prepare and complete the applications for visa issuance. The lottery entry period will take place between October 24, 1997 and November 24, 1997. The same countries that were excluded in DV-98 are excluded this year as well. 
The Department of State has also announced that it is instituting a new fee to be paid by those who are successful in the lottery. The $75 surcharge is designed to cover the overall costs of administering the lottery (approximately $6,500,000). The fee DOES NOT apply to persons simply entering the lottery. There still is no filing fee to enter the lottery. The fee only becomes due when one wins the lottery and then wins and seeks to process a Diversity Visa.
For complete information on entering the lottery, visit the Siskind, Susser, Haas & Chang Green Card Lottery Center .
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