How to Apply for DV Lottery 2026 in Kenya

The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery is a unique opportunity for individuals worldwide, including Kenyans, to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa. The DV Lottery program grants 55,000 visas annually to applicants from countries with low immigration rates to the United States.

If you’re in Kenya and want to apply for the DV Lottery 2026, this comprehensive guide will take you through the process step by step.

What is DV Lottery 2026?

The DV Lottery, officially known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, is an annual program run by the U.S. Department of State. Its goal is to diversify the U.S. immigrant population by selecting individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates. Successful applicants, also known as “DV winners,” are granted U.S. permanent residency (Green Card), allowing them to live and work in the United States.

The DV Lottery 2026 is part of the U.S. government’s broader immigration policy to promote diversity among immigrants. Each year, 55,000 visas are made available to individuals from countries that have sent fewer than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the past five years. The selection process is random, with applicants being chosen by a computer-generated lottery. The program is designed to provide opportunities to people from underrepresented regions around the world, offering them a chance to start a new life in the U.S.

To qualify for the DV Lottery, applicants must meet specific criteria, including being born in an eligible country and having the necessary educational background or work experience. The program has strict requirements regarding documentation, particularly photographs, and applicants must follow the rules carefully to avoid disqualification. It’s important to note that entry into the lottery is free, and the U.S. government does not charge for participation. However, selected winners must go through a visa application process, which includes paying visa fees and attending a U.S. embassy interview.

Winning the DV Lottery does not guarantee immediate residency; it’s just the first step toward obtaining a U.S. Green Card. After being selected, applicants need to provide proof of eligibility, pass background checks, and complete additional administrative processes. The DV Lottery opens the door for thousands of people every year to pursue the American Dream, but it requires careful preparation and adherence to the program’s guidelines.

Eligibility for the DV Lottery 2026

Before applying for the 2026 DV Lottery, ensure that you meet the following requirements:

Country of Eligibility: Your country of birth must be on the list of eligible countries. Kenya is eligible for the DV-2026 program.
Education/Work Experience: You must have completed at least a high school diploma or have two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training. You can verify your occupation’s eligibility on the O*NET website.

Now, let’s move on to the steps for applying to the DV Lottery 2026. We have highlighted the key sections and how you need to fill them to increase the chances of winning the 2026 DV Lottery (Green Card).

How to Apply for DV Lottery 2026 in Kenya

Step 1: Visit the Official DV Lottery Website

Begin by visiting the official website for the Diversity Visa program: https://dvprogram.state.gov/. This is the only official site for the DV Lottery. Beware of any fraudulent or third-party websites that claim to offer DV Lottery services.

Step 2: Click on “Begin Entry”

Once you’re on the website, click on the “Begin Entry” button. This will take you to the entry page where you can start your DV Lottery 2026 application process.

Step 3: Enter the Authentication Code

You will be required to enter an authentication code, also known as a CAPTCHA. This code ensures that only humans, not bots, are submitting the DV Lottery entries. Type the characters as they appear in the image, and click on the “Submit” button to proceed.

Step 4: Complete Part One – Entrant Information

Part One of the application requires you to fill in your personal information. Ensure that all details are accurate, as mistakes could result in disqualification. The fields you must fill in are as follows:

Name: Enter your last/family name, first name, and middle name. Ensure that the names match those on your official documents i.e. your National ID or Passport.
Gender: Select your gender from the options available (Male or Female).
Birth Date: Use the format MM/DD/YYYY to enter your birthdate.
City Where You Were Born: Enter only the name of the city where you were born. Do not include the district, county, province, or state.
Country Where You Were Born: Select the country of your birth. For Kenyans, this would be “Kenya.”
Country of Eligibility for the DV Program: Your country of eligibility is usually your country of birth, which should be Kenya.
Entrant Photograph: Submit a recent digital photo taken within the last six months. Ensure that it meets the strict requirements listed on the website, including proper dimensions, lighting, background, and no digital alterations.
- You can take a new digital image or a recent digital photograph. Use the “Choose New Photo” button to upload your image. Double-check the photo for accuracy.
Mailing Address: Provide your mailing address, including optional fields such as “In Care Of” and “Address Line 2” for additional details. Ensure you provide the full address, city, district, postal code, and country.
Country Where You Live Today: Select Kenya or whichever country you currently reside in.
Phone Number: Provide your active phone number.
E-mail Address: This email will be used to send updates and notifications if you are selected. Make sure it’s an active and frequently checked email address.
Education Level: Select your highest level of education achieved. The options range from primary school to doctorate level. To be eligible, you must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Marital Status: Select your current marital status. If you’re legally separated, your spouse cannot be included in the application. Be accurate, as mistakes here could lead to disqualification.
Number of Children: If you don’t have children write “0” else list all of your children, including biological, adopted, and stepchildren, who are unmarried and under the age of 21. Failure to list all eligible children can lead to disqualification. Children who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents should not be included.

NOTE: If you are single, you will only have to fill “Part One – Entrant Information” on the DV Lottery application form. If you are married and have children the other parts for Spouse and Children (“Part Two – Spouse Information” and “Part Three – Children Information“) will have to be filled.

Step 5: Click the “Continue” Button

After filling in all the required details in Part One, click on the “Continue” button to proceed. Be cautious when navigating the application – do not use your browser’s back button if you need to make corrections. Instead, use the specific “Back” buttons provided on the form to avoid losing your progress.

Step 6: Submit Your Entry

Once you’ve completed all sections of the application and are sure everything is accurate, click the “Submit” button. Double-check your details before submitting, as changes cannot be made after submission.

Step 7: Print the Confirmation Page

After successfully submitting your application, a confirmation page will appear. This page contains your unique DV Lottery Confirmation Number. This number is crucial because it will be used in May 2025 to check whether you have been selected. Below is a sample of the DV Lottery 2026 Confirmation Number document. (AES Print)

Your entry for the 2026 Diversity Visa program was received on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 1:07:34 PM EDT. Please do NOT close this window until you have printed this confirmation page or made a record of your Confirmation Number.

Entrant Name: MKENYA, DAIMA MZALENDO

Confirmation Number: 20262YI0***SKO*F

Year of Birth: 1985

Digital Signature: B4A24*6563DC8DD****EC8C7018

Thank you for your entry for the 2026 Diversity Visa Program.

Please either print this page or make a record of the confirmation number before closing this window. You will not be able to retrieve this number after you close this window.

You must retain your confirmation number in order to check your entry status via Entrant Status Check between May 3, 2025 and September 30, 2026 to determine whether your entry was selected for further processing in the 2026 Diversity Visa Program. You will be REQUIRED to enter your confirmation number in combination with other personal information in order to check on your entry status.

Selectees will not receive selectee notifications or letters by regular postal mail from the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC).

Do not submit additional Entry Forms with this person as the Primary Entrant! Multiple entries will disqualify the Entrant from participation in the 2026 Diversity Visa Program.

To avoid losing it, you should either print the page or save it as a PDF. This confirmation page is your proof of entry, and without it, you will not be able to verify your selection status. It is good practice to print and also save a copy in your email address.

Important Notes:

Checking Your Status: Starting in May 2025, you will need your confirmation number to check the status of your DV Lottery entry. You can do this on the official DV Lottery website.
Beware of Scams: The U.S. government does not charge a fee to enter the DV Lottery. Be cautious of any websites or individuals offering to submit your entry for a fee.
Do Not Submit Multiple Entries: Submitting more than one entry will result in automatic disqualification. Ensure that you only submit one application.

Conclusion

The DV Lottery 2026 offers a life-changing opportunity for Kenyan applicants to become permanent residents of the United States. Following these steps will help you apply correctly and avoid disqualification.

Remember to complete every section accurately, submit a recent photograph that meets the specifications, and retain your confirmation number for future reference. Best of luck in your application!

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