US Visa Lottery Instructions for Submitting a Digital Photograph (Image)

The image file must adhere to the following compositional and technical specifications and can be produced in one of the following ways: taking a new digital image or using a digital scanner to scan a photograph. Entrants may test their photos for suitability through the photo validator link on the e-DV website before submitting their entries. The photo validator provides additional technical advice on photo composition, along with examples of acceptable and unacceptable photos.

Compositional Specifications: The submitted digital image must conform to the following compositional specifications or the entry will be disqualified.

Head Position
•    The person being photographed must directly face the camera.
•    The head of the person should not be tilted up, down, or to the side.
•    The head height or facial region size (measured from the top of the head, including the hair, to the bottom of the chin) must be between 50 percent and 69 percent of the image's total height. The eye height (measured from the bottom of the image to the level of the eyes) should be between 56 percent and 69 percent of the image's height.

Background
•    The person being photographed should be taken with the person in front of a neutral, light-colored background.
•    Dark or patterned backgrounds are not acceptable.

Focus
•    The photograph must be in focus.

Decorative Items
•    Photographs in which the person being photographed is wearing sunglasses or other items that detract from the face will not be accepted.

Head Coverings and Hats
•    Photos of applicants wearing head coverings or hats are only acceptable if the head covering is worn for religious beliefs; even then, the head covering may not obscure any portion of the face of the applicant. Photographs of applicants with tribal or other headgear not specifically religious in nature will not be accepted; photographs of military, airline, or other personnel wearing hats will not be accepted.

Color photographs in 24-bit color depth are required.
Color photographs may be downloaded from a camera to a file in the computer or they may be scanned onto a computer. If you are using a scanner, the settings must be for True Color or 24-bit color mode. See the additional scanning requirements below.

Technical Specifications

The submitted digital photograph must conform to the following specifications or the system will automatically reject the E-DV entry form and notify the sender.

Taking a New Digital Image

If a new digital image is taken, it must meet the following specifications:
•    Image File Format: The image must be in the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format.
•    Image File Size: The maximum image file size is 240 kilobytes (240 KB).
•    Image Resolution and Dimensions: Minimum acceptable dimensions are 600 pixels (width) x 600 pixels (height). Image pixel dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio (meaning the height must be equal to the width).
•    Image Color Depth: 24-bit color [Note: Color photographs are required. Black and white,

Scanning a Submitted Photograph

Before a photographic print is scanned, it must meet the compositional specifications listed above. If the photographic print meets the print color and compositional specifications, scan the print using the following scanner specifications:
•    Scanner Resolution: Scanned at a resolution of at least 150 dots per inch (dpi).
•    Image File Format: The image must be in the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format.
•    Image File Size: The maximum image file size is 240 kilobytes (240 KB).
•    Image Resolution: 600 by 600 pixels.
•    Image Color Depth: 24-bit color. [Note that black and white, monochrome, or grayscale images will not be accepted.]

For further assistance on application, click here.

US Diversity Visa Lottery Online Application has started again!

The online entry registration period for the DV-2011 Diversity Visa lottery is between noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Friday, October 2, 2009, and noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5), Monday, November 30, 2009. Entrants apply on Form DS-5501, Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form, available only during the DV open registration period.

For online application instructions, click here.

For online application form, click here.

You can always discuss your request for help on InfoStrides forum.

I wish you best.

Share & Retrieve!

USA DV-2011 Green Card Lottery to commence soon...

The United States will begin to accept applications for the Diversity Visa 2011 Lottery, otherwise known as the Green Card Lottery, from October 2nd, 2009,

For those who wish to live and work in the United States, the Green Card Lottery is a good opportunity. The application deadline is 30 November 2009.

Please check back for detail information and guidelines required.

You can also watch out for vital info at http://www.infostridesforum.com

Applying for Student's Residence Permit in Finland

Foreign students who are non-EU citizens or of a comparable status, must acquire a residence permit if their studies in Finland last for longer than three months. Please check here: Residence permit for studies - Non-EU citizens

EU citizens and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland must register their right to reside in Finland at a police department, if their stay lasts for longer than three months. Please check here: EU citizens' right to reside in Finland as a student

Documents Required: The following documents are required but check all the relevant links for details and most updated information. The Finnish Diplomatic Mission in your country should be contacted for further information as may be required.

• Completed Application Form for Residence Permit (OLE 1)
• Clarification on studies (OLE 4)
• Travel Document (International passport)
• Two Passport photograph
• Original admission letter from the educational institute in Finland
• Statement from your bank which shows that you have equivalent to 6000 (six thousand) euros on your own bank account (not the sponsor's!)
• Original school certificates
• Health insurance (if studies last less than 2 years: amount of indemnity at least 100 000 euros, if studies last more than 2 years: amount of indemnity at least 30 000 euros).
• Payment Evidence for Residence Permit Fee

For further information, please check the links below:

• Finnish Diplomatic Missions or Embassies Abroad
• Residence permits for students, other than EU/EEA citizens
• Finnish Immigration Service's guidelines - residence permit for studying
• Fees (€) charged by the Finnish Immigration Service as of January 1, 2009

Nigeria Passport Application Guidelines

Sequel to people's requests for the procedures for applying for Nigerian Passport, I am glad to post the information as requested.

Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) now issues ePassport to Nigerians. The application is fully done online through the NIS website. Payment are made online with NIS Card and Interswitched Debit Card of UBA & Zenith Bank. Thereafter, you will proceed to the chosen passport office for interview and submission of the required documents.

If you are interested in applying for Nigeria Passport, please go through the guidelines as stipulated by the Nigeria Immigration Services. For the application guidelines, Click here...

For comprehensive information on NIS, application procedures and other information, Click here...

Do not hesitate to drop your comments or further requests on the subject matter. More so, you can share your request at http://www.infostridesforum.com.

Good luck.

Changes to US 2010 Diversity Visa Lottery Application

This is to inform you of the changes made to the application procedures of US 2010 DV Lottery. The changes affect the picture format and application confirmation number is now included at the end. The Confirmation Number and the applicant data must be kept intact for further online use when the result is out.

Please read below the changes as regards picture format:

Scanning a Submitted Photograph. Before a photographic print is scanned, it must meet the compositional specifications listed below. If the photographic print meets the print color and compositional specifications, scan the print using the following scanner specifications:

1. Scanner Resolution: Scanned at a resolution of at least 150 dots per inch (dpi).
2. Image File Format: The image must be in the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format. Image File Size: The maximum image file size is 240 kilobytes (240 KB).
3. Image Resolution: 600 by 600 pixels.
4. Image Color Depth: 24-bit color. [Note that black and white, monochrome, or grayscale images will not be accepted.]

HOW TO APPLY ONLINE:

1. Please ensure you have scanned the pictures to the format stated above, then
2. Have the following details in hand (Full Names, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Sex, Nationality, Present Country of Residence, Qualification, Marital Status, Number of children.
3. If Married, the wife and children pictures and their details are required.
4. Go to www.dvlottery.state.gov
5. Scroll down the page and click on 'Begin Standard Entry' or 'Begin SSL Entry'
6. Then, Fill in the details as required:
7. When you get to No 7 (Entrant Photograph), click on 'Browse' to locate the picture in your Computer or Flash Drive depending on where you save them.
8. Fill to the last item and click 'Continue' to go the preview page
9. If married with children, the next page will ask you to enter their details, and click next to preview
10. If not married, just confirm the details entered and scroll down to sumbit.
11. After submission, please ensure to take note of your details and write down the confirmation number
12. Or Print the Confirmation Page.

Do not hesitate to communicate me or drop your comments for further details.

Good Luck!!!!!!