State Department
In this rule the Department changes the manner in which aliens may petition for the opportunity to participate in the Diversity Visa Program from a standard mail-in system, to an entirely electronic system that will utilize a specifically designated Internet website. This rule also makes minor technical and editorial changes to the existing rule for the purpose of greater clarity, uniformity and precision. The Department is implementing the new electronic system in order to make the process less prone to fraud, improve efficiency in the diversity visa petition process and significantly reduce the cost to the Government of the process. When the rule is published aliens petitioning to participate in the diversity visa program will be required to submit their petition to the Department exclusively via electronic means.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of State 22 CFR Part 42 [Public Notice 4446] ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments. SUMMARY: In this rule the Department changes the manner in which aliens may petition for the opportunity to participate in the Diversity Visa Program from a standard mail-in system, to an entirely electronic system that will utilize a specifically designated Internet website. This rule also makes minor technical and editorial changes to the existing rule for the purpose of greater clarity, uniformity and precision. The Department is implementing the new electronic system in order to make the process less prone to fraud, improve efficiency in the diversity visa petition process and significantly reduce the cost to the Government of the process. When the rule is published aliens petitioning to participate in the diversity visa program will be required to submit their petition to the Department exclusively via electronic means. DATES: This rule becomes effective on August 18, 2003. Written comments must be received on or before October 17, 2003. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted to the Chief, Legislation and Regulations Division, Visa Services, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-0106, by fax to 202-663-3898, or by e-mail to VisaRegs@state.gov . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Acker, Legislation and Regulations Division, Visa Services, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-0106, 202-663-0102. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   What Is the Diversity Vis…
Citation: 68 FR 49353
