you never have to pay for the DV lottery application. is it always available free to everyone directly from http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DV-2008 Lottery Starts Soon! The DV-2008 Lottery will begin at noon EDT on October 4, 2006 and will end at noon EST on December 3, 2006. More information about the lottery will be coming soon.