Chances to Win the Green Card in the DV Lottery for Kenyans

Green Card applications in Kenya consistently rank among the highest in Africa, reflecting the program’s strong popularity and competitive selection odds.

Read this article to find out about the DV Lottery chances for Kenyans, how to apply, and how to maximize your chances with the perfect DV Lottery photo.

Table of contents

• Is Kenya eligible for the DV Lottery?
• Global Green Card lottery winnings statistics
• Factors influencing DV Lottery winning chances
• Green Card lottery photo requirements
• Online DV Lottery Photo Maker
• DV Lottery Photo App
• Steps to take part in the DV Lottery

Is Kenya eligible for the DV Lottery?

Yes, Kenyans are eligible to participate in the Diversity Visa (DV) Program. Kenya is recognized as a nation with historically low immigration rates to the U.S., which qualifies it for the list of eligible countries for the current and upcoming lottery programs.

To qualify for participation, applicants must meet one of these criteria:

• Have completed a high school education or its equivalent, which involves successfully finishing a 12-year course of primary and secondary education.
• Alternatively, possess two years of work experience within the last five years in a job that requires at least two years of training or experience.

Global Green Card lottery winnings statistics and chances to win for Kenyan nationals

Each year, the U.S. Department of State issues about 50,000 to 55,000 immigrant visas through the Diversity Visa (DV) or Green Card Lottery. Although millions submit applications annually, only about 1–2% globally are chosen as winners.

The Green Card Lottery success rate for Kenyan citizens fits well within this range, at around 1.6% to 2% per entry. According to Kenya DV Lottery statistics, the country continues to perform strongly in the program due to high applicant numbers and ongoing eligibility.

Not all winners secure Green Cards, though, as strict eligibility criteria and review processes apply. Most winners come from Africa, Asia, and Europe, but regional and national limits apply to the numbers selected in these areas.

Visit the DVLottery.me website to explore complete Diversity Visa Lottery statistics by country and calculate your personal chances of winning.

Factors influencing DV Lottery winning chances

While the DV Lottery is open to citizens from eligible countries, your odds of being selected can vary based on several factors. Understanding these factors can help Kenyan applicants assess their prospects and submit stronger applications.

Number of applicants from each country

The Diversity Visa Program aims to encourage applications from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Therefore, the number of applications from a country directly affects the likelihood of being selected. The State Department publishes the number of selected entrants by country - for DV-2025, Kenya had 4 459 selectees among the roughly 131 060 total selectees registered for follow-up. Because the program is random, if the number of Kenyan applicants rises while available regional slots stay the same, the statistical chance for any single Kenyan applicant falls. Conversely, fewer entrants from Kenya (with the same selection rules) would raise the per-applicant chance.

Regional allocations of visas

Diversity visas are distributed among six world regions. The Department of State apportions visas so that no single country can receive more than about 7% of the total. In practice, Africa receives the largest regional share of Diversity Visas, so Kenyans compete inside that Africa allocation rather than against the whole world. The random selection is then applied within region/country rules, which is why regional demand and the 7% country cap both shape Kenyans’ practical chances.

Compliance with application requirements

Applicants must ensure they meet these criteria:

• Be born in a country eligible for the DV Lottery.
• Fulfill education requirements, typically a high school diploma or equivalent, or have qualifying work experience.
• Submit a complete and precise application, including a correctly formatted photo, during the open registration period.
• Only submit one application per individual, as submitting multiple entries leads to automatic disqualification.

Green Card lottery photo requirements

When you apply for the Green Card lottery, your photo must match the criteria used for U.S. passport photos.

The application review process uses specialized software to evaluate photos, not humans. If your photo fails to meet all the specific requirements, it could result in disqualification, as the system won't be able to recognize your facial features.

Key requirements for DV Lottery photos:

• Your digital photo should be:
  • in JPEG (.jpg) format;
  • 240 KB or smaller in file size;
  • a perfect square (height and width must be the same);
  • 600×600 pixels in size;
  • using the sRGB color space.
• If you're scanning a printed photo, it needs to be:
  • sized at 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm);
  • scanned at 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per mm).
• The photo should represent how you currently look and be taken within the last 6 months.
• The background must be solid white or light-colored, free of patterns and objects.
• Your face, from crown to chin, should occupy 50 to 69% of the picture’s height, with your eyes situated between 56 to 69% from the bottom of the image.
• Your expression should be neutral, without smiling or frowning, with both eyes open and visible.
• The photo must be in color.
• Wear everyday clothes; no uniforms, except for daily religious attire.
• Head coverings are permitted for religious or medical reasons, but shouldn't hide your face.
• Avoid wearing hats, glasses, headphones, or accessories unless they are medically necessary and supported by a doctor's note.
• For children or infants, ensure no toys, pacifiers, or other people's hands are visible. The child's face must be fully clear and eyes open.

Here is a photo example:

Online DV Lottery Photo Maker

To maximize your Green Card Lottery winning chances, ensuring every part of your application is flawless, particularly your submitted photos, is essential. Using specialized software like Visafoto can help you achieve this. Since 2013, Visafoto has been producing passport, visa, and ID photos for people all around the world.

Here’s how to use it: snap a photo against a plain white background with your phone or camera and upload it to Visafoto.com. The tool automatically adjusts the background, changes the resolution, corrects the colors, and crops the image to make it fit the required dimensions.

Example of the you can upload:

You’ll get a digital version for online submission, along with a format suitable for printing. If you're not happy with the photo you receive, you can have it replaced for free. If authorities reject the photo, you'll receive a full refund.

DV Lottery Photo App

Getting the perfect picture for the Green Card Lottery is now seamless with the 7ID DV Lottery Photo App, available for both iPhone and Android. Powered by Visafoto.com, this app ensures your photo matches the strict standards of the DV program.

Upload your image, choose the country and document type - US Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery in this case - and let the 7ID DV Lottery Photo Editor App handle the rest. Here's what’s included:

• Automatic resizing. Your photo will be cropped to meet the DV Lottery size specifications, with your head and eyes ideally positioned and file size adhering to requirements.
• Background adjustments. The app swiftly changes tricky backgrounds to a solid white background.
• 24/7 support. If you're not pleased with your photo, reach out to customer support directly through the app to replace it for free.

Plus, the 7ID offers a free photo check to ensure your photos comply with DV Lottery guidelines.

Additionally, the 7ID app now includes a feature to secure your DV Program confirmation code. Just tap on the “DV Program Sidekick” feature in the app, input your verification number, and press “Save”. This function simplifies keeping track of your DV Lottery status, providing everything you need within one handy application.

Steps to take part in the DV Lottery

To participate in the Diversity Visa Lottery, follow these steps:

1. Register online during the open period. DV Lottery registration is conducted electronically through the official Electronic Diversity Visa website. For example, the registration window for DV-2025 was from October 4 to November 7, 2023, and similar dates are expected for future lotteries. Each individual can enter only once - multiple entries will lead to disqualification. Note that paper or late submissions are not accepted.
2. Fill out the entry form. You will need to provide personal information like your full name, birthdate, country of birth, current country of eligibility, mailing address, and family details such as spouse and children's information (if applicable). Also, you must include a recent photograph that meets specific photo criteria.
3. Receive a confirmation number. After submitting your entry, you will get a unique confirmation number. Keep this number safe as it is required to check if you have been selected and for future processing steps.
4. Check selection status. Approximately six months after the registration period ends, you can find out if you have been selected by entering your confirmation number on the DV website.
5. If selected, complete the DS-260 form. Those who are selected must complete the DS-260 immigrant visa application online and gather necessary documents like birth certificates, police certificates, and passports.
6. Attend an interview at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Go to your visa interview with all required documents. A consular officer will assess your visa eligibility.
7. Receive visa or denial. If your application is approved, you will receive instructions on how to collect your visa and passport. If denied, you will be informed of the reasons why.
8. Travel to the U.S. and obtain your Green Card. Once you enter the U.S. with the visa, you will become a lawful permanent resident and receive your green card.

Good luck at the Lottery!