The application of the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery 2007 will open from Wednesday until December 4 for all Nepalese aspiring to compete for the same.

A press release issued by the US Embassy in Kathmandu outlined the necessary procedures for filling up the DV application. The outline will also be helpful for the winners of the DV 2006 lottery.

Stating that winning the lottery does not guarantee to receive a visa the embassy said that DV winners must have the equivalent of twelve years of education.

The US Embassy said that those seeking to enter the lottery programme must register online through the designated website – www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period, adding mail-in requests or paper entries would not be accepted. The registration is free of charge.

Stating that the United States government employs no outside consultants to facilitate visas the Embassy said, “We strongly urge you not to use consultants’ services, as their assistance does not improve your chances of obtaining a visa. If you do not meet the minimum qualifications for the visa, you cannot receive a visa. Please do not waste your time and money if you do not meet the minimum qualifications for the visa. Any consultant who claims that he can improve your odds is promising something he cannot deliver.”

“The DV program was designed to bring greater racial and ethnic diversity to the United States. It offers permanent residency visas to citizens of nations that have a traditionally low level of immigration to the United States,” the statement added.

The State Department plans to issue 50,000 permanent resident visas during DV-2007.

Interviews of those who had won the lottery for 2006 commenced from Saturday.