How to Apply for Green Card Lottery in Kenya

The Green Card Lottery, officially known as the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, is an annual program run by the U.S. Department of State. It offers 55,000 lucky winners from eligible countries, including Kenya, a chance to live and work in the United States. If you’re in Kenya and dreaming of a life in the U.S., here’s how you can apply for the Green Card Lottery.

Eligibility Requirements for the Green Card Lottery

To be eligible for the Green Card Lottery in Kenya, you must meet certain criteria related to education, work experience, and nationality.

Education Requirements

To qualify, applicants must have completed at least 12 years of primary and secondary school education, which is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma. If you haven’t completed this level of education, you can still qualify based on your work experience.

Work Experience

If you don’t meet the education requirement, you can qualify through work experience. You must have at least two years of work experience within the last five years in a job that requires at least two years of training or experience. The U.S. Department of Labor’s database will be used to verify your job qualifications.

Passport Requirement

A valid passport is required when applying for the Green Card Lottery. You must enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport. If your passport contains a first, middle, and last name, ensure you list them correctly in the application.

Eligible Countries

Kenya is one of the 53 African countries eligible to apply for the Green Card Lottery because it has relatively low immigration rates to the U.S. If your country is not listed as eligible, you may still apply if either your spouse or parents are natives of an eligible country.

How to Apply for Green Card Lottery in Kenya

Applying for the Green Card Lottery is straightforward but requires attention to detail to avoid disqualification.

Step 1: Visit the Official DV Program Website

You must apply online through the official U.S. Department of State’s Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) website during the designated application period. For example, for DV-2025, applications were open from October 4 to November 7, 2023.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Before starting your application, ensure you have all necessary documents ready:

• A valid passport
• A recent passport-size photo (taken within six months)
• Your birth certificate or national ID

Step 3: Complete the Application Form

The online application form will ask for personal information such as:

• Full name (as per your passport)
• Date of birth
• Country of birth
• Country of eligibility (usually your country of birth unless applying through a spouse or parent’s eligibility)
• Mailing address
• Highest level of education
• Work experience (if applicable)
• Information about your spouse and children (if applicable)

Make sure all information is accurate and complete because multiple or incomplete entries will lead to automatic disqualification.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Once you’ve completed the form and uploaded all required documents and photos, submit your entry electronically. After submission, you’ll receive a confirmation number. Keep this number safe because you’ll need it to check if you’ve been selected.

Checking Your Status

After submitting your application, you’ll need to wait until May 2024 (for DV-2025 applicants) to check if you’ve been selected through the official Entrant Status Check portal on the DV website. Keep in mind that being selected doesn’t guarantee a green card; it only means you’re eligible to proceed with further steps like interviews and background checks.

Important Tips for Success

1. Avoid Fraudulent Websites: The only place to apply is on the official U.S. Department of State website. Be cautious of scam websites that may ask for fees or personal information.
2. No Fee for Entry: While there’s no cost to submit an entry into the lottery, selected applicants will need to pay a visa application fee later in the process.
3. One Entry Per Person: Submit only one entry per person during each registration period. Multiple entries will result in disqualification.
4. Prepare Early: Ensure all documents are ready before starting your application so that you don’t miss out due to incomplete submissions.
5. Check Your Confirmation Number: After submitting your application, make sure to save your confirmation number somewhere safe it’s essential for checking whether you’ve been selected.

What Happens After Selection?

If you’re lucky enough to be selected in the lottery, congratulations! But remember this is just step one. You’ll need to:

• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee (around $330).
• Attend an interview at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
• Undergo medical exams and background checks.

Once all these steps are completed successfully, you’ll be granted a green card and can start planning your new life in America!

Final Thoughts

Applying for the Green Card Lottery in Kenya is an exciting opportunity but requires careful attention and preparation. Follow these steps closely, stay organized with your documents, and keep an eye on deadlines and who knows? You might just be one of Kenya’s next green card holders!