U.S voids 2012 visa lottery result due to computer error

New York – The U.S. has voided the results of the 2012 Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery posted on its website due to a computer programming error.

A notice posted on Diversity Visa Lottery site on Friday said the results posted during the firstweek of May were posted in error and not valid.

“The results were not valid because they did not represent a fair, random selection of entrants, as required by U.S. law,” the notice said.

It advised entrants that checked the website during the first week in May and found a notice that they had been selected for further processing or a notice of non-selection, to disregard such notice.

The notice said a new selection process would be conducted based on the original entries for the 2012 programme.

It added that results of the new selection process would be available on the website from July 15.

In a video-message, David Donahue, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services explained that because of the computer programming error, 90 per cent of the winners were selected from the first two days of applications rather than from the entire batch of applications over the 30-day registration period.

Under the Diversity Immigrant Visa Programme, the U.S. government makes available some 50,000 visas each year drawn from a random selection to people who come from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S.

U.S. media reported that some 19.6 million people had applied for the visas for the 2012 lottery, hoping to get the opportunity to immigrate without having a family member or an employer sponsor them. (NAN))

15 May 2011

EDV RESULT

EDV RESULT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FOR THE YEAR 2012

2012 Entrant Status Check

PLEASE CHECK YOUR LUCK HERE

CLICK HERE FOR CHECKING YOUR LUCK

https://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ESC/%28S%28dyrq3pimng040g2bdtkk5555%29%29/Secure/StatusCheck.aspx for DV-2012 Entrant Status Check.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including time required for searching existing data sources, gathering the necessary documentation, providing the information and/or documents required, and reviewing the final collection. You do not have to supply this information unless this collection displays a currently valid OMB control number. If you have comments on the accuracy of this burden estimate and/or recommendations for reducing it, please send them to: A/GIS/DIR, Room 2400 SA-22, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20522-2202.

CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT: AUTHORITIES: The information asked for on this form is requested pursuant to Section 222 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Section 222(f) provides that the records of the Department of State and of diplomatic and consular offices of the United States pertaining to the issuance and refusal of visas or permits to enter the United States shall be considered confidential and shall be used only for the formulation, amendment, administration, or enforcement of the immigration, nationality, and other laws of the United States. Certified copies of such records may be made available to a court provided the court certifies that the information contained in such records is needed in a case pending before the court. PURPOSE: The U.S. Department of State uses the facts you provide on this form primarily to determine your classification and eligibility for a U.S. immigrant visa. Individuals who fail to submit this form or who do not provide all the requested information may be denied a U.S. immigrant visa. Although furnishing this information is voluntary, failure to provide this information may delay or prevent the processing of your case. ROUTINE USES: If you are issued an immigrant visa and are subsequently admitted to the United States as an immigrant, the Department of Homeland Security will use the information on this form to issue you a Permanent Resident Card, and, if you so indicate, the Social Security Administration will use the information to issue a social security number. The information provided may also be released to federal agencies for law enforcement, counterterrorism and homeland security purposes; to Congress and courts within their sphere of jurisdiction; and to other federal agencies who may need the information to administer or enforce U.S. laws.