Securing a Win in the US Diversity Visa Lottery: What You Need to Know
Winning the US Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery is widely regarded as one of the most secure and legal ways to immigrate to the United States. A successful applicant receives the much-coveted Green Card, which allows them to relocate to the US along with their spouse and children.
The hope of a better life in America is what drives hundreds of thousands of Kenyans to apply for this opportunity each year. Every May, results are announced, and a few thousand fortunate Kenyan applicants are chosen for the next stage of processing.
However, many of those selected are unaware that winning the DV Lottery is just the beginning of a longer journey. Being chosen does not guarantee immigration to the United States.
According to the US Department of State, selection in the DV Lottery only makes you eligible to apply for an immigrant visa. It does not automatically grant you permanent residency. Applicants must still meet all the necessary requirements to qualify for a Green Card.
Furthermore, some individuals who are selected may never make it through the final stages due to the limited number of available visas. While 55,000 Diversity Visas are issued annually, the number of people selected is typically much higher—often more than twice the total number of visas allocated. This system ensures that any disqualified or ineligible applicants are replaced, helping the program meet its full quota.
A notable example occurred in September 2023, when several Kenyans who had received confirmation of selection were later informed that they would not be processed for immigration. The available slots had already been filled, meaning those individuals had to reapply in the next lottery round.
One such notice came in a letter dated September 6, 2023, from the Immigrant Visa Unit at the US Embassy in Nairobi. The letter clarified that starting September 7, all pending DV appointments would be canceled, regardless of how far along in the process an applicant was.
In another communication, the Embassy warned DV 2023 winners who had not yet attended interviews not to undergo medical exams at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) clinic in Nairobi. The reason: interviews were being called off due to the visa cap being nearly reached.
“The DV 2023 program is close to reaching its maximum visa issuance for the year. Soon, the Embassy will have to cease all processing for diversity visas. Completing a medical exam with IOM does not ensure an interview slot at the Embassy. Once the limit is reached, any remaining appointments will be canceled, no matter the stage,” the Embassy explained.
To improve the chances of successfully completing the process, selected applicants are urged to promptly submit the DS-260 form and transfer their case to active US embassies. “We advise all selected individuals to fill out the DS-260 form as soon as possible in order to schedule an interview at the appropriate US Embassy or Consulate,” the State Department recommends. This form requires your DV case number and allows you to confirm and update the details you originally submitted.
Even after selection and form submission, applicants may still be denied if their documentation is incomplete or if they do not perform well during the visa interview. Supporting documents such as birth certificates and truthful answers to interview questions are critical in determining final approval.