4,459 Kenyans Set to Receive Green Cards Under the DV-2025 Lottery Program

The United States Diversity Visa program is poised to welcome an increased number of Kenyan immigrants in the coming year.

The US State Department has announced that 4,459 Kenyans will receive permanent visas under the DV-2025 Diversity Visa Lottery program, a notable rise from the previous year's 3,760 allocations. This program, established by the Immigration Act of 1990, aims to diversify the immigrant population in the United States by offering opportunities to individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates.

The timing of this increase is particularly significant given Kenya's current economic climate. The country is grappling with high unemployment rates, especially among its youth. According to the Federation of Kenya Employers, an alarming 67 per cent of young people aged 15-34, who constitute 35 per cent of Kenya's population, are unemployed.

Each year, over one million young Kenyans enter the job market, often lacking the necessary skills for stable employment. For many skilled Kenyans, the prospect of pursuing opportunities in the United States has become increasingly attractive. A Bloomberg survey in 2023 highlighted that Kenyan immigrants in the US rank as the third most diligent foreign workers, underscoring their strong work ethic and valuable contributions to the American economy. Many of these immigrants possess bachelor's degrees or higher qualifications, with a significant number working in the nursing sector.

While this surge in migration opportunities offers individual Kenyans a chance to improve their livelihoods, it also raises concerns about potential brain drain and its impact on Kenya's development. The exodus of skilled professionals could potentially hinder growth in crucial sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology. However, the Kenyan economy has also benefited substantially from its diaspora population. Remittances from Kenyans working abroad have become a vital source of foreign exchange, surpassing earnings from traditional sectors like agriculture and tourism. In 2023, these remittances reached a record high of $4 billion.

Recognizing the importance of these remittances and the potential of its diaspora, the Kenyan government has initiated an aggressive campaign to secure employment opportunities for Kenyans abroad. Bilateral agreements have been established with countries such as Canada, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to facilitate the migration of skilled and semi-skilled workers. These efforts aim to address the high unemployment rate among Kenyan youth while ensuring that the country benefits from the skills and experience gained by its citizens working overseas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been actively conducting awareness campaigns to educate Kenyans about the Diversity Visa program application process and its benefits.

This proactive approach reflects the government's recognition of migration as a potential solution to some of the economic challenges facing the country. It is worth noting that the Diversity Visa program is highly competitive, with millions of applicants worldwide vying for a limited number of visas. Successful applicants and their eligible family members must complete the visa process by September 30, 2025, to benefit from the DV-2025 program.