The Green Card Lottery, or Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, is a program run by the U.S. government that provides 50,000 immigrant visas annually to people from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S., including Kenya.

Eligibility is based on nationality, education, and work experience. Applicants must be from an eligible country (Kenya is eligible) and must have at least a high school education or two years of work experience within the past five years in an eligible occupation.

The U.S. Department of State provides results through the Entrant Status Check on the DV Lottery website in May of the following year. Notifications are not sent by mail or email; you must check your status online.

• Yes, if you are married or have children under 21, you can include them in your application. If selected, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 are also eligible to apply for a visa with you.

Key documents include your passport, birth certificate, education or work experience proof, marriage certificate (if applicable), police clearance certificates, and medical examination results.

• Non-immigrant visas are for temporary stays, including tourism (B1/B2), business, student (F-1), and work visas (H-1B).
• Immigrant visas are for those seeking permanent residency, including family-sponsored, employment-based, and Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery visas.

Complete the DS-160 form for non-immigrant visas or relevant forms for immigrant visas, pay the application fee, schedule an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, and attend your visa interview with required documents.

Complete the DS-160 form for non-immigrant visas or relevant forms for immigrant visas, pay the application fee, schedule an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, and attend your visa interview with required documents.

Processing times vary. Non-immigrant visas typically take several days to a few weeks, while immigrant visas may take several months, especially if further processing or administrative checks are required.

Common reasons include insufficient evidence of ties to Kenya, lack of financial proof, incomplete documents, prior immigration violations, or inconsistencies in information.