How to Apply for a USA Green Card in Kenya

Applying for a USA Green Card from Kenya typically involves one of three primary paths: the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, Family Sponsorship, or Employment-Based petitions.

1. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery

This is the most common path for Kenyans. It is a random selection process for countries with low immigration rates to the U.S.A

• Registration Window: Traditionally opens in early October and closes in early November each year.
  • Update for DV-2027: The registration for the DV-2027 cycle (expected to open in late 2025) has faced administrative delays, and a new $1 (approx. Ksh 130) registration fee will now be required.
• How to Apply for USA green card : Entries must be submitted electronically through the Official DV Program Website.
• Requirements:
  • A high school education (at least 12 years of formal education) OR two years of qualifying work experience within the last five years.
  • A digital photograph that meets U.S. Visa Photo Standards.
• Checking Results: Results are typically available starting in May of the following year on the same official website.

2. Family Sponsorship

If you have a close relative who is a U.S. citizen or a Green Card holder, they can petition for you.

• Step 1: Your U.S.-based sponsor files Form I-130 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Step 2: Once approved, the case moves to the National Visa Center (NVC), where you will pay fees and submit civil documents.
• Step 3: You will complete the Form DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa Application).

3. Employment-Based Petition

If you have a job offer from a U.S. employer, they may sponsor your residency.

• Step 1: The employer usually files Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker).
• Step 2: Similar to family cases, once approved, you proceed with consular processing in Nairobi.

Final Steps in Kenya (All Categories)

Regardless of the category, if your application is moving forward, you must complete these steps in Nairobi:

• Medical Exam: You must have a medical examination by an embassy-approved physician (e.g., at the IOM Migration Health Assessment Center) before your interview.
• Consular Interview: Attend an in-person interview at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
• Fees: Be prepared to pay the immigrant visa fee (approx. $330 / Ksh 43,000) and the USCIS Immigrant Fee (approx. $220 / Ksh 28,000) after visa approval to receive the actual card.

Warning: Only use the official .gov websites. Beware of any third-party “agents” in Nairobi claiming to guarantee a U.S.A Green Card for a fee.

How to apply for a USA green card in Kenya 2026

The process for applying for a USA Green Card in Kenya in 2026 depends on whether you have already entered a lottery or are looking to start a new application.

1. If You Applied in Late 2024 (DV-2026)

If you submitted an entry between October and November 2024, your application is currently active.

• Check Results: Use your confirmation number on the Official DV Entrant Status Check. Results remain available through September 30, 2026.
• If Selected: You must complete your visa interview and be issued a visa at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi by September 30, 2026.

2. If You are Applying Now (DV-2027)

The DV-2027 cycle has faced significant administrative delays and a major rule change.

• Registration Status: As of early 2026, the official registration window for DV-2027 (originally expected in late 2025) has been delayed. Check the U.S. Department of State’s travel website for the new “widely publicized” dates.
• New $1 Fee: For the first time, a mandatory $1 (approx. KES 130) electronic registration fee is required at the time of entry. This must be paid via credit or debit card on the official portal.
• Where to Apply: Only use dvprogram.state.gov. Any other site asking for money or claiming to be an “agent” is a scam.

3. General Requirements for Kenyans

To be eligible for the lottery, you must meet one of these two criteria:

• Education: Successful completion of a 12-year course of formal elementary and secondary education (KCSE).
• Work Experience: Two years of experience within the past five years in a qualifying occupation (check eligibility on the O*Net Online Database).

4. Application Steps at U.S. Embassy Nairobi 

If selected for the USA green card  in any category (Lottery, Family, or Employment), you will follow these steps in Nairobi:

1. Form DS-260: Submit the Online Immigrant Visa Application.
2. Medical Exam: Schedule an exam with an embassy-approved physician, such as the IOM Migration Health Assessment Center in Nairobi, at least 15 days before your interview.
3. Interview: Attend your interview at the U.S. Embassy Nairobi.
4. Fees: Pay the $330 (approx. KES 43,000) Diversity Visa fee in cash at the embassy on your interview day.

Important Alert: Be aware of Presidential Proclamation 10998, effective January 1, 2026, which may limit visa issuances for certain nationalities due to security or public assistance concerns. While Kenyans are currently processing, always check for the latest Immigrant Visa Processing Updates from the embassy.

These official government pages detail DV-2026 program instructions and U.S. Embassy Nairobi interview procedures for Green Card applicants:

Instructions For The 2026 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-2026)

U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Kenya – NRB