Visa lottery to award 50,000 Green Cards

BY JESSICA LYONS

Thursday, September 27, 2007 10:58 AM EDT

Between October 3 and December 2, Queens Library will be providing assistance to those looking to apply for the 2009 Diversity Visa Lottery.

Through the Diversity Visa Lottery, 50,000 people, who must meet specific requirements in order to be eligible to apply, will receive Green Cards. Among other requirements that individuals must meet, they have to be from one of the countries of origin that are able to participate, since not all are being accepted. Those receiving a Green Card through the 2009 Diversity Visa Lottery will be randomly drawn.

During the regular hours of operation for the Queens Library, customers with digital photos can use computers at any location to apply online. However, there will also be special days and times set up when those needing to scan and upload a photo will be able to use the library’s computers to do so and will also be given assistance free of charge. The schedule for it is as follows:

At the Central Library, located at 89-11 Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica, on Thursdays and Fridays from 3 to 8 p.m. on October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 and November 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 23, 29 and 30.

At the Flushing Library, located at 41-17 Main Street, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 to 8 p.m. on October 3, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 and 31 and November 5, 7, 14, 19, 21, 26 and 28.

At the Jackson Heights Community Library, located at 35-51 81st Street, on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3 to 8 p.m. on October 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 and November 5, 6, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27.

Queens Library is doing this in cooperation with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. To find out more about the 2009 Diversity Visa Lottery and eligibility, visit htt://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html.

To find out more about Queens Library’s assistance in this regard, contact their New Americans Program by calling 718-990-0894.