[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 2369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-698]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Part 42

[Public Notice: 6457]
RIN 1400-AB84


Visas: Documentation of Immigrants Under the Immigration and 
Nationality Act, as Amended: Electronic Petition for Diversity 
Immigrant Status

AGENCY: State Department.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This rule makes final an interim rule published in the Federal 
Register on August 18, 2003, amending the Department's regulations 
pertaining to the manner in which aliens may petition for the 
opportunity to participate in the Diversity Visa Program. The rule 
changed the standard mail-in system previously used to an entirely 
electronic system for the purpose of making the process less prone to 
fraud, improve efficiency and significantly reduce the processing costs 
to the Government.

DATES: Effective Date: This rule is effective on January 15, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Prosnik, Legislation and 
Regulations Division, Visa Services, Department of State, Washington, 
DC 20520-0106, (202) 663-1202, e-mail ([email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Why is the Department promulgating this rule?

    The Department published an interim rule, Public Notice 4446 at 68 
FR 49353, Aug. 18, 2003, with a request for comments. The comment 
period expired on October 17, 2003. No public comments were received 
during the comment period.

What did the rule do?

    The rule amended the Department's regulations at 22 CFR 42.33 to 
establish an entirely electronic system utilizing a specifically 
designated Internet Web site, by which aliens can petition for the 
opportunity to participate in the Diversity Visa Program.

Why was the petitioning process changed?

    There are three main benefits to changing the mail-in process to an 
electronic format. First, it helps eliminate multiple applications, 
prohibited under INA Section 204(a)(1)(I). Secondly, it greatly reduces 
the cost of administering the system. Finally, it benefits the 
petitioners by immediately notifying them of the receipt of the 
petition, impossible under the mail-in system.

PART 42--VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION 
AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED

0
Accordingly, the interim rule amending 22 CFR part 42 which was 
published at 68 FR 49353 on August 18, 2003, is adopted as final 
without change.

    Dated: January 2, 2009.
Janice L. Jacobs,
Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Department of State.
 [FR Doc. E9-698 Filed 1-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-P