State Department: 1991 Immigrant Visa Lottery

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed how the Department of State processed applications for the visa lottery authorized by the Immigration Act of 1990, focusing on: (1) why State attempted to process applications in the order they were received; (2) whether State's acceptance of multiple applications was appropriate; (3) whether companies or firms advertised and charged fees to help aliens file applications and paperwork; (4) whether State managed the lottery properly; and (5) options to prevent companies or firms from charging excessive fees to help aliens file applications.