How To Check DV Lottery 2026 Results in Kenya

    Disclaimer: This blog is an independent informational resource. It is not affiliated with any government agency, including Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
  

The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, commonly referred to as the Green Card Lottery, is an annual program run by the U.S. Department of State that offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas to people from countries with low immigration rates to the United States. Kenya is one of the eligible countries, and thousands of Kenyans apply every year in hopes of winning a chance to live and work in the U.S. permanently.

If you applied for the DV-2026 Lottery (applications submitted in 2024), your results will be available in 2025, specifically starting May 4, 2025, on the official Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) website.

Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide for checking your DV Lottery 2026 results in Kenya:

How to Check DV Lottery 2026 Results in Kenya

Step 1: Understand the Timeline

Before checking your results, it’s important to understand the DV process:

DV-2026 application period: October – November 2024
Result release date: May 4, 2025
You can check results until: September 30, 2026

This means you can access the results over an extended period, so there’s no need to panic if you can’t check on the first day.

Step 2: Ensure You Have a Stable Internet Connection

You’ll need a working smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access. If you live in an area with poor connectivity, consider visiting a local cyber café.

Checking your results is completely free, and no agent is needed – be cautious of fraudsters who may try to charge you.

Step 3: Retrieve Your Confirmation Number

When you submitted your application in 2024, you were provided with a 16-character confirmation number, which typically looks like this: 20261O0DZWY3D4A9

If you’ve lost or misplaced it, don’t worry – there is a way to recover it (explained in Step 6).

You will also need the following:

Your Last Name or Family Name exactly as used in your DV entry
Your Year of Birth

Step 4: Visit the Official DV Lottery Results Portal

Open your browser and go to the official U.S. Department of State Diversity Visa program website: https://dvprogram.state.gov
Click on the “Check Status” button.
On the next page, click “Continue” to proceed to the Entrant Status Check.

Make sure you are on the correct official website. Avoid third-party websites and agents who might scam or mislead you.

Step 5: Enter Your Details Carefully

You’ll now be asked to fill out the following details:

Confirmation Number: Enter your 16-character code (case-sensitive).
Last/Family Name: Enter only your surname as submitted in your original entry.
Year of Birth: For example, if you were born in 1990, enter 1990.
Authentication Code: Type the characters shown in the CAPTCHA box to prove you’re not a robot.

Double-check all entries before clicking “Submit.”

Step 6: If You Lost Your Confirmation Number

Don’t panic if you misplaced or forgot your confirmation number. Here’s how to recover it:

1. On the Entrant Status Check page, click “Forgot Confirmation Number?”

2. Enter the following:

DV Program Year: Select 2026
Full Name: As it appeared in your entry
Date of Birth
Email Address: The same one you used during your DV application

Once verified, your confirmation number will be retrieved and displayed on the screen or sent to your email.

Step 7: View Your DV Lottery Result

After you click submit, the website will display one of two messages:

a. Selected for Further Processing

If you’ve been selected, congratulations! The page will include:

Your Case Number
Further instructions on how to proceed
A link to the DS-260 Visa Application Form

Being selected does not guarantee a visa. You must complete additional steps such as filling out forms, preparing documents, and attending an interview.

b. Not Selected

If you’re not selected, the message will simply say that you were not selected for further processing. You can try again next year – there’s no limit to how many times you can apply.

Step 8: Take a Screenshot or Print the Result Page

Whether you win or not, it’s a good idea to take a screenshot or print your result for your records. If selected, you’ll need to refer to this page during the immigration process.

Step 9: Follow Official Instructions If Selected

If you’re among the lucky winners:

Complete the DS-260 online immigrant visa form
Gather necessary documents (passport, birth certificate, police clearance, etc.)
Prepare for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi

Follow updates from the U.S. Embassy in Kenya: https://ke.usembassy.gov/

Bonus Tips: What to Do If You Are Not Selected

If your entry was not selected in DV-2026:

1. Keep your confirmation number safe until the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2026), as the U.S. may select more entries later.

2. Prepare for the next round: DV-2027 will likely open in October 2025.

3. Consider exploring other visa routes, such as:

Student visas (F1)
Employment-based visas (H-1B)
Family-sponsored immigration

Checking the DV Lottery 2026 results in Kenya is a simple but sensitive process that requires careful attention to detail. Always use the official website, avoid agents or shortcuts, and follow instructions precisely.

Being selected is a life-changing opportunity – if it happens, be ready to act promptly and correctly. If you weren’t selected this year, don’t lose hope. Keep trying, stay informed, and continue to prepare for future opportunities.