For many Kenyans, the dream of living and working in the United States is highly sought after, and obtaining a Green Card is the primary way to achieve permanent residency in the U.S. A Green Card grants immigrants the ability to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely. One of the most accessible ways to get a Green Card is through the Diversity Visa (DV) Program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery. This article breaks down the requirements and the step-by-step process for applying for a Green Card in Kenya through the lottery.
Categories for Green Card Eligibility
Before diving into the lottery application process, it’s essential to understand the different ways you can qualify for a Green Card. Some common categories include:
- Green Card through Family: If you have immediate family members who are U.S. citizens or Green Card holders, they can sponsor you.
- Green Card through Employment: For individuals who have secured a job offer or meet specific qualifications.
- Green Card as a Special Immigrant: Reserved for certain groups such as religious workers and international broadcasters.
- Green Card through Refugee or Asylee Status: For individuals granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S.
- Green Card for Human Trafficking and Crime Victims: For victims of human trafficking (T visa) or other crimes (U visa).
- Green Card for Victims of Abuse: Including spouses, children, or parents of U.S. citizens who have experienced abuse.
- Green Card through Other Categories (Lottery): The Diversity Visa Lottery, which is the focus of this guide.
- Green Card through Registry: For individuals who have lived in the U.S. continuously since before January 1, 1972.
Applying for a Green Card Through the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery
The Diversity Visa Lottery offers Kenyans a chance to apply for a Green Card, as long as they meet specific eligibility requirements. Here’s how to get started:
1. Eligibility Requirements
- Country of Origin: You must be from a country eligible to participate in the DV lottery. Kenya is eligible, but some countries with high immigration rates to the U.S. are excluded from the lottery.
- Education or Work Experience: You must have at least a U.S. high school diploma or an equivalent level of education (at least 12 years of formal primary and secondary education). Alternatively, you can prove at least two years of work experience in a qualified profession that requires two years of training.
- Age: While there’s no official age limit, you must be at least 16 years old to apply, as you need to meet the educational or work experience criteria.
2. Application Process
The Green Card Lottery has an annual application window. For the 2025 fiscal year, for example, the registration period runs from October 4, 2023, to November 7, 2023. Here are the steps to follow:
- Step 1: Access the Application Form
The entry form is available only on the Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery website. Ensure you complete and submit your entry electronically within the application window. - Step 2: Gather Required Documents
To apply, you need:- A passport-sized photo that meets the lottery’s specific requirements.
- Your birth certificate or national ID for proof of identity.
- Proof of your education or work experience.
- Step 3: Submit the Application
Submit your application electronically via the official Diversity Visa website. Make sure that the photo and all information meet the program’s guidelines. Submitting multiple entries or incorrect photos will lead to automatic disqualification.
3. Checking Your Application Status
After submission, you will receive a DV entry confirmation number, which allows you to track the status of your application. You can check your status through the Entrant Status Check on the Electronic Diversity Visa website during the specified periods.
4. Next Steps After Selection
If your application is successful, the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) will send you an email with instructions for your visa interview. The email will guide you to log into the Entrant Status Check to view the date, time, and location of your interview. During the interview, a consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied.
- If additional administrative processing is required, this may delay the final decision on your visa. You can check your visa application status on the CEAC State website.
- If your visa is approved, you will be instructed on how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you.
5. Fees and Final Steps
Once your visa is approved, you will need to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee of $220. This fee is required to process your immigrant visa and create your Green Card.
Tips for Increasing Your Chances of Success
- Multiple Applications: You can increase your chances of winning the lottery by having both you and eligible family members (spouse and children) apply. If any of them win, they can legally bring you to the U.S. after following due process.
- Seek Help if Necessary: If the application process feels overwhelming, you can seek assistance from a friend, family member, or even a cyber café that offers these services.
Conclusion
Applying for a Green Card through the Diversity Visa Lottery offers Kenyans an opportunity to live and work in the United States permanently. By meeting the eligibility requirements and following the correct application steps, you stand a chance to join the ranks of those who successfully immigrate to the U.S. Remember, attention to detail during the application process is key—ensuring your documents and photos are accurate will help you avoid disqualification.
