How to Apply for the US Green Card Lottery – Requirements & Application Process

For many people, moving to the United States offers a chance to find better jobs, further their education, and build a new future. However, the costs and requirements involved in moving to the US makes the process difficult. The US Green Card Lottery offers another option by giving eligible applicants a chance to obtain permanent residence in the United States through an annual immigration program.

The Green Card Lottery selects applicants from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. However, being selected does not automatically mean you will receive a Green Card. Applicants must meet the required education or work experience qualifications, provide accurate information, and complete the visa application and screening process. If you are planning to apply for one, you need to understand how the process works to avoid common mistakes made by applicants, avoid scams, and miss deadlines. This is exactly what this guide will be covering.

What Is the US Green Card Lottery (DV Program)?

The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, commonly known as the US Green Card Lottery, is a US government program that offers up to approximately 55,000 immigrant visas each year to eligible applicants from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States, according to African immigration lawyers. Kenya has been among the eligible countries in recent years.

How the US Green Card Process Works

The US Green Card Lottery gives eligible people from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States an opportunity to become permanent residents. When you enter the lottery, you are applying for a chance to be selected for a Diversity Immigrant Visa.

If selected, you must complete the visa application process, which includes submitting the required documents, attending an interview, and meeting all eligibility requirements. Once your visa is approved and you enter the United States, you become a Lawful Permanent Resident and receive your Green Card. Applicants already living legally in the US may also qualify to apply for permanent residence through adjustment of status.

Is the US Green Card Lottery (DV-2027) Open for Kenyans?

The US Green Card Lottery (DV-2027) is not yet open for registration. However, a US federal court issued an order requiring the Department of State to open registration by November 1, 2026, for a period of 30 days.

The applicants should submit their applications only through the official Electronic Diversity Visa website once registration opens. Avoid unofficial websites and agents claiming that applications are already being accepted, promising guaranteed selection, or asking for money to increase your chances of winning. The US government advises applicants to be careful of such scams and follow the instructions published on its official Diversity Visa Program website.

US Green Card Lottery Requirements for Kenyans

Applicants for the US Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery must meet certain requirements set by the US Department of State before participating in the program. Below are the main eligibility requirements.

1. Country of Birth – You must generally have been born in an eligible country, such as Kenya, which has qualified for the program in recent years. Some applicants born elsewhere may qualify through their spouse or parents under specific rules.
2. Education – this generally means completing Form Four (KCSE), although the qualification must meet US requirements.
3. Work Experience – Have at least two years of qualifying work experience within the last five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.
4. Digital Photograph – Provide a recent passport-style photograph that meets the official US government requirements for size, background, and image quality.
5. Valid Passport – Under the announced DV-2027 rule changes, applicants are generally required to provide valid passport information and upload a copy of the passport’s biographical information page, unless they qualify for an exemption.
6. One Entry Only – You are allowed to submit only one application during each registration period. Submitting multiple entries will disqualify you.

Official US Green Card Lottery Photo Requirements & Guidelines

The US Department of State has specific requirements for the digital photograph you must upload when applying for the Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery. Your photo must meet the following requirements to avoid problems with your application:

• File Format – The photo must be in JPEG (.jpg) format.
• File Size – The photo must not exceed 240 KB.
• Photo Dimensions – The image must measure exactly 600 × 600 pixels (square).
• Colour – The photo must be in color, not black and white.
• Background – Use a plain white or off-white background.
• Photo Age – The photo must have been taken within the last six months.
• Glasses – Do not wear eyeglasses when taking the photo.
• Photo Editing – Do not use filters, beauty effects, or digital editing that changes your appearance.

How to Apply for the US Green Card Lottery (DV Program)

Step 1: Check DV-2027 Registration Dates and Eligibility

• Visit the official US Department of State website to check the DV-2027 instructions and confirm the opening and closing dates once announced.
  • Check whether your country (if you are in Kenya, check whether Kenya is included in the list of eligible countries) is included as an eligible country.  
  • Avoid agents or websites promising early registration or guaranteed selection. No agent can improve your chances of being selected.

Step 2: Prepare Your Passport

• Under the announced DV-2027 changes, applicants are generally required to have a valid, unexpired passport, unless they qualify for an exemption. If you don’t have one or yours has expired, start the application or renewal process early.
• Prepare clear digital copies of your passport’s personal information page and signature page, following the file requirements in the official instructions.
• Have your passport number, issuing country, and expiry date ready, as these details may be required when completing the application form.

Read Also: How to Apply for a Kenyan Passport in 2026: Full Guide for First-Timers

Step 3: Prepare Your Photograph

• Take a recent passport-style photograph within six months before applying. Avoid reusing a photograph submitted in a previous lottery application.
• Use a plain white or off-white background, face the camera directly, and ensure your full face is visible. I have explained the photo requirements; check them before you apply.
• Prepare a separate photograph for every family member included in your application. Group photographs are not accepted. Use the official photo guidance to check whether your pictures meet the requirements.

Step 4: Complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form (DS-5501)

• Visit Diversity Visa website during the official registration period and open the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form (DS-5501).
• Enter your personal information, including your full name, date of birth, gender, place of birth, country of eligibility, education level, postal address, email address, and marital status. Providing a telephone number is optional.
• Enter the required passport information and upload your passport document and digital photograph according to the instructions.
• Complete the required government registration payment of $1 through the official payment process, where applicable.
• Review your information carefully before submitting the form. You may submit only one entry per registration period; submitting multiple entries will result in disqualification.

Step 5: Include All Eligible Family Members

• Include your spouse in your application, even if you currently live separately, unless an exception under the official DV instructions applies.
• List all living, unmarried children under 21 years old, including qualifying stepchildren and legally adopted children, even if they do not intend to travel to the United States.
• You generally do not need to include a spouse or child who is already a US citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• If you are unmarried but have eligible children, you must still include them. Failing to list eligible family members correctly may lead to disqualification, even if your application is selected.

Step 6: Save Your Confirmation Number

• After submitting your application successfully, save or print the confirmation page containing your unique confirmation number.
• Keep this number safe because you will need it, together with your surname and year of birth, to check your lottery results.

Must Read:  If you lose your confirmation number, you may be able to retrieve it using the Forgot Confirmation Number option on the official results website. However, it is best to keep a copy until the DV-2027 program ends on 30 September 2027.

Step 7: Check Your Green Card Lottery Results

Visit the official Entrant Status Check website when the US Department of State announces that results are available.

Enter your confirmation number, surname, and year of birth to check whether your entry was selected.

Quick Tips:

1. Be careful of emails, messages, or websites claiming you have won the lottery or asking you to pay money to confirm your selection. The US Department of State does not notify applicants of selection by email.
2. The selection does not guarantee a Green Card. It only allows you to proceed with the immigrant visa application process. If selected, follow the procedures explained below.

How to Apply for the Green Card Visa After Being Selected

Being selected in the Green Card Lottery means you have an opportunity to apply for a US immigrant visa. You must complete the application process, meet all requirements, attend an interview, and receive your visa before the program deadline. For DV-2027, the deadline is 30 September 2027.

Step 1: Complete the DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application

• Follow the instructions provided on the official Entrant Status Check page and complete the DS-260 form online through the US Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
• Complete a separate DS-260 form for yourself and each eligible family member who intends to immigrate with you.
• Submit your application promptly and follow the instructions for your case. DV-2027 eligibility expires on 30 September 2027, and unused selections cannot be transferred to the following year.
• Prepare to pay the $330 Diversity Visa application fee per applicant when instructed. This fee is separate from the initial lottery registration fee.

Step 2: Gather the Required Documents

• Prepare your valid passport, birth certificate, KCSE certificate or other acceptable education documents, and marriage certificate if you are married.
• Obtain a Police Clearance Certificate, commonly known as a Certificate of Good Conduct, from Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Quick Tip: You will generally need to bring original documents, photocopies, and the required photographs to your interview.

Read Also: How to Apply for a Certificate of Good Conduct in Kenya (2026): Step-by-Step Online Guide

Step 3: Complete the Medical Examination

• Book a medical examination with a doctor approved by the US Embassy in Nairobi. Check the Embassy’s official website for the current list of authorized medical providers, including whether the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is available.
• Complete the required medical examination and vaccinations before your visa interview. The Embassy will not accept medical results from doctors not approved by the Embassy.
• If the doctor gives you your medical results in a sealed envelope, do not open it. Carry the envelope to your visa interview as instructed.

Step 4: Attend the Visa Interview at the US Embassy in Nairobi

• Once your case number becomes eligible for processing and your interview is scheduled, check the appointment details through the official Entrant Status Check website.
• Attend the interview at the US Embassy in Nairobi with your required documents. The consular officer may ask questions about your personal background, education, work experience, and eligibility for the Diversity Visa.
• If your visa is approved and issuance is permitted, your passport will be returned with the immigrant visa. However, if the reported visa issuance pause remains in effect, the U.S. will not issue a visa for an approved application until the restriction is lifted.

Step 5: Travel to the United States and Receive Your Green Card

• After receiving your immigrant visa, travel to the United States before the visa’s expiry date. For DV-2027, the visa must be issued by 30 September 2027, although an immigrant visa issued before that deadline may remain valid for travel beyond that date.
• Pay the required USCIS Immigrant Fee online before traveling or after arriving in the United States. This payment allows USCIS to process and produce your physical Green Card. Confirm the current fee on the official USCIS website.
• Once you enter the United States using your immigrant visa and are admitted as a lawful permanent resident, your Green Card will be processed and mailed to the US address provided. Delivery times may vary.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply for the US Green Card Lottery in Kenya?

Previously, registration for the US Green Card Lottery was free. However, the US Department of State introduced a $1 registration fee. Applicants must pay this fee when submitting their lottery entry. If selected, applicants who proceed with the immigrant visa application must pay an additional $330 per person, which is non-refundable even if the visa is denied.

5 Tips to Avoid Disqualification in the DV Lottery

Applying for the US Green Card Lottery requires careful attention to the official instructions to avoid mistakes that could lead to disqualification. Samweli’s study on green card applications highlights the following tips to help applicants complete their applications correctly and avoid common scams.

1. Apply Within the Official Registration Period – Submit your application as soon as registration opens to avoid last-minute problems.
2. Provide Accurate Personal Information – Make sure your full name, date of birth, country of birth, marital status, and family details are correct.
3. Use a Photo That Meets the DV Lottery Requirements – Ensure your photograph meets the official requirements for size, background, quality, and date taken.
4. Submit Only One Application – Each person is allowed to submit only one entry during each registration period. Submitting multiple applications under the same name, even through different email addresses or agents, can result in disqualification.
5. Keep Your Confirmation Number Safe – After submitting your application, save your confirmation number because you will need it to check your lottery results.

Conclusion

Applying for the US Green Card Lottery in Kenya gives eligible applicants a chance to obtain permanent residence in the United States. However, it is important to understand the eligibility requirements and follow the correct application process. Provide accurate personal information, upload a photo that meets the official requirements, and keep your confirmation number safe so you can check your results. If selected, complete the remaining visa application steps on time and prepare all the necessary documents for your interview. Most importantly, use the official Electronic Diversity Visa website and the U.S. Department of State website for registration dates, application instructions, and updates. Avoid agents or websites promising guaranteed selection or visa approval.