By Debbie McGoldrick

The State Department announced that the application period for the 2007 DV-1 visa lottery will start at noon on Wednesday, October 5, and conclude at noon on Sunday, December 4.

As in the past two years, entries for the 50,000 lottery green cards available on an annual basis will only be accepted via the Internet at the following address, www.dvlottery.state.gov. That address will become operational no earlier than noon of the first day of the two-month entry period.

Each applicant is permitted to submit only one entry, and any duplications will disqualify the applicant outright.

The information required for the application includes the entrant’s name, date of birth, gender, place of birth, mailing address, marital status, and information about spouse and children, if applicable. Electronic photographs are also required as part of the process.

Applicants are permitted to apply if they are resident in the U.S., regardless of status. However, it is vitally important for undocumented applicants to recognize that they are subject to lengthy bars from the U.S. (three or 10 years) in the event they leave the country for visa processing, which is required except for those who are legal residents of the U.S. Undocumented entrants should seek qualified legal assistance before participating in the lottery.

There is no application fee required to take part in the lottery program. However, because of the complexities associated with the electronic application process, especially the photo requirements, it is common for legal advice providers and other outreach services to charge a fee for assistance.

Applications that are lodged successfully will receive an electronic receipt from the State Department. Those hoping to receive one of the coveted lottery green cards are advised by the State Department to “not wait until the last week of the registration period to enter. Heavy demand may result in delays.”

Irish immigration centers throughout the U.S. will be hosting seminars in the upcoming weeks to help applicants navigate the process. The Irish Immigration Pastoral Center in San Francisco already has one set for Wednesday, March 12.

Applicants claiming chargeability to the following nations are not permitted to enter the lottery, because these countries sent 50,000 legal immigrants to the U.S. during the past five years — Great Britain (except Northern Ireland), Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea and Vietnam.

Successful entrants will be notified between May and July of 2006, and can begin processing on October 1 of 2006, which marks the start of fiscal year 2007.

Applicants will be selected at random via a computer generated system after all qualified entries are numbered. Those who are not selected will not receive notification.

For complete application instructions and other details, go to the State Department link at www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html.