U.S. Embassy Launches Diversity Visa (DV) Awareness Campaign
Reaching Out to Fight Fraud

August 5, 2005
No. 36/05

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) – The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa wants to make sure that all Ethiopians have the information they need to make informed decisions about the U.S. Government’s annual Diversity Visa (DV) program.  Misinformation, misunderstanding, and outright lies from dishonest businesses and individuals have the potential to cost members of the public both time and money, and even to make applicants participants in serious fraud schemes that could make them ineligible for visas for the rest of their lives.

The DV Program was established to allow up to 55,000 visas a year for applicants in countries under-represented in U.S. immigration patterns.  Ethiopia is among the participating countries, and interest in the program is especially high here.  With a new season for DV applications approaching (the application period will run from October 5, 2005, through December 4, 2006), the U.S. Embassy is starting a campaign – in Amharic, Tigrigna, Oromiffa, and Somali, as well as English – to make sure Ethiopians know more about the program.  Using brochures, advertisements, and radio announcements, the Embassy will make as widely available as possible information like the following:

• The U.S. Government does not communicate via e-mail regarding the DV program; any e-mail you receive – saying you’ve been selected or asking for money in return for assistance with the program – is a fraud.
• There is no fee to enter the DV Lottery.  You do not need an agent or an attorney to complete your entry or application for you.  Winners pay fees ONLY to the U.S. Embassy when a case is being processed.
• You can apply for the DV only via the Internet, at www.dvlottery.state.gov.  The online application will include basic personal information and requires a photograph.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that all aspects of the application are accurate and complete.  Applicants must apply only once; if it is discovered you have entered more than once, your application will be automatically disqualified
• Applicants do not need a sponsor in the U.S. to apply for the DV, and applicants do not need to be married.  Applicants who supply false sponsorship documents or who are proven to have participated in marriages solely for the purpose of receiving a visa are ineligible to receive a U.S. visa for the rest of their lives.

Full information on the Diversity Visa Program is available from the website of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, at addisababa.usembassy.gov.  Questions about the DV process can be submitted by e-mail to the Embassy’s Consular Section at consaddis@state.gov.

####