The US department of State has sent out letters to 4,689 Kenyans notifying them that they have won a chance to migrate to the US after being picked in the Diversity Visa 2011 (Green Card) lottery.
Kenya has the seventh highest number of winners picked among the more than 16.1 million entries submitted. Last year, however, the country had the fifth largest number of winners.
The number of winners represents an increase over last year, in which 4,619 were picked. For an applicant to be issued with an immigrant visa, they must have a high school education or the equivalent, or have the proof of having worked for two years in an occupation that needs two years’ training or experience in the last five years.
Ghana has, for the third consecutive year, maintained the highest number of winners, with 6,002, followed by Nigeria 6,000.
A total of 100,600 applicants from various countries in the world have been registered and notified to apply for an immigrant visa at the various US embassies. But only 50,000 visas are available for this period despite the number of those notified.
The “green card”, also referred to as a permanent resident card, is an identification document affirming a foreigner’s residency status in the US.
It is usually off-white, and the only prominent green feature is the background of the lettering on the back.
It is proof that the holder is a lawful permanent resident and has been officially granted immigration benefits, including the permission to live and work in the US.
It is the document which shows that the person is a legal permanent resident of the US.
The holder is expected to maintain his or her permanent resident status, but it can be forfeited if certain conditions of such a status are not met.
A card holder 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.
A holder in the US cannot work for either state or federal governments.
Additional reporting by Joy Wanj
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