Hundreds of Green Card Kenya winners blocked from US
Hundreds of Kenyans who won a chance to migrate to the US after being picked in the Diversity Visa 2023 (Green Card) lottery will not relocate to the United States.
In a letter, the US Embassy in Nairobi said that all remaining diversity visa appointments would be cancelled from September 7, 2023, regardless of the phase of the process they are in.
Also read: Green Card: How to fill in the American Diversity Immigrant Visa forms in Kenya
This means that applicants awaiting interviews at the US Embassy in Nairobi will have to reapply for the next general Green Card applications in October.
However, those who have completed successful interviews at the embassy will be heading to the US.
“Dear Diversity Visa Applicant: Your visa was issued on 22nd Aug 2023 and will be sent to your DHL registered outlet. However, your derivatives will be faced with the sudden close of the DV 2023 season on September 7, 2023,” the letter reads.
According to the US Embassy, individuals who have won the Diversity Visa 2023 lottery and have not yet been interviewed should not schedule a medical examination at the IOM in Nairobi, as interviews will be cancelled.
In addition, the Diversity Visa 2023 programme will soon come to a halt as almost all available diversity visas have been allocated for this year.
As per a communication from the Consular Section at the US Embassy in Nairobi, the Diversity Visa (DV) enrollment was scheduled to close on September 7, 2023.
Also read: How you can secure an American Green Card by working for a church
The letter advises applicants to consider if they want to complete their medical exams, knowing that there is a high risk of the DV season closing before their appointment.
Kenya has one of the highest number of winners in the world.
For an applicant to be issued with an immigrant visa, they must have a high school education or the equivalent or have proof of having worked for two years in an occupation that needs two years’ training or experience in the last five years.
The green card, also called a permanent resident card, is an identification document affirming a foreigner’s residency status in the US.
It is proof that the holder is a lawful permanent resident and has been officially granted immigration benefits, including permission to live and work in the US.
The document shows that the person is a legal permanent resident of the US.
A cardholder is accorded all protection and rights under the US law, has the right to live and work in the US, even though not a US citizen, and pays US taxes.
Also read: ‘Heartbroken’ lover boy Kevin Mboya wins US green card