- For many Kenyans, the US Diversity Visa Lottery has long felt like the only gateway to America, but Donald Trump recently suspended it
- What many do not understand is that there are other multiple legal routes to the US depending on one’s goals and qualifications
- As uncertainty grows around the DV programme, TUKO.co.ke shares alternatives that may be the key to turning the American dream into a plan
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For years, the US Diversity Visa Lottery has been a household name in Kenya, seen as a golden ticket to permanent residence with minimal strings attached.
Source: Getty Images
However, that pathway has been muzzled over the past few weeks as part of US President Donald Trump’s attempt to restrict immigration, noting that this would benefit Americans.
Trump suspended DV Lottery Visa
On Friday, December 19, Trump’s administration suspended the DV lottery, commonly referred to as the green card, until further notice.
The suspension came after a suspect identified as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, who moved to the US on a green card, allegedly murdered a university professor at Brown University in Brooklyn.
At the same time, visa application processes are tightening, with more stringent interview requirements and consulate-specific rules for nearly all categories.
But here’s the twist: the DV Lottery is just one of many routes to the United States, that’s why TUKO.co.ke shares other established legal paths, some temporary, some leading to a green card.
1. Temporary visas
Many Kenyans begin with nonimmigrant visas, temporary stays that can open doors to longer opportunities down the line. Travel.gov+1
Student Visas (F-1 / M-1) A student visa lets you live and study in America, often with the right to work on campus and, after graduation, pursue Optional Practical Training (OPT) or employer-sponsored work visas.
Work Visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1) Professionals with specialized skills or exceptional ability can qualify for work visas.
H-1B is one of the most common for skilled professionals, L-1 allows intra-company transfers if you work for a multinational, while O-1 recognizes people with extraordinary talents in arts, sciences, business, or athletics. Travel.gov
Business and Exchange Visas (B-1, J-1) Short-term business (B-1) or educational and cultural exchange programs (J-1) can help you build U.S. networks and professional experience, sometimes leading to longer stays.
Even though these are temporary visas, they can be strategic stepping stones, especially when paired with further work or study opportunities in the US.
2. Family sponsorship
For many Kenyans, the most reliable path to permanent residence isn’t a lottery, it’s family. If you have immediate family members in the U.S. who are citizens or green card holders, they can petition for you.
Immediate relatives include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and, in some cases, parents and siblings. The process involves filing a petition (Form I-130) and showing financial sponsorship.
This route has helped a large share of Kenyans attain green cards because it’s based on real family connections, not chance.
Source: Getty Images
3. Employment-based Green Cards
Employers in the US can sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency too, especially when skills are in demand.
The EB-2 (Advanced Degrees / Exceptional Ability) is perfect for professionals with a Master’s degree or higher.
In some cases, the National Interest Waiver lets you self-petition without a specific job offer if your work benefits the US economy or society.
The EB-3 (Skilled Workers / Professionals) is another ideal approach for skilled professionals and experienced workers.
Lastly, the EB-5 (Investor Visa) is for those who can invest a substantial amount (typically hundreds of thousands of dollars) into a US business that creates jobs.
These paths take longer and require paperwork and employer cooperation, but they lead straight to a green card.
4. Love and humanitarian routes
Some lesser-known visas can also lead to a permanent future in the US, the most common being the K-1 / K-3 Visas for those who are engaged to or married to a US citizen.
The Refugee or Asylee Status also exists for individuals facing persecution. These programs offer protection and can eventually lead to permanent residence, though they’re based on strict eligibility criteria and humanitarian need.
Whether you’re drawn by education, family, work, or long-term residence, there’s more than one legal way to the US, and the Diversity Visa Lottery is just one thread in a much larger tapestry of options.
The other options should be planned, prepared for, and pursued with skill and patience, which is why one must always check the official US Department of State or US Embassy in Nairobi for the latest requirements and fees.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
