Important Notice

• Beginning March 01 2013,  all K1 applicants will be expected to complete form DS–160 in addition to Form DS-156K. Form DS-156 will no longer be accepted.  
• Announcement:  Effective February 1, 2013, all individuals issued immigrant visas overseas must pay a $165.00 USCIS Immigrant Fee before traveling to the United States.  Only prospective adoptive parents whose child(ren) is/are entering the United States under either the Orphan or Hague Process, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants who were employed by the U.S. government, returning residents, and those issued K visas are exempt from the new fee.  The below USCIS website has more details on the new fee, including contact information for USCIS, if there are further questions: www.USCIS.gov/immigrantfee

New Visa Application System

The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has implemented a new system to make the visa application process faster, simpler and less stressful for Immigrants securing family-based, employment-based and Diversity visas.

Information on the Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic violence in the United States and Facts about Immigrating on a Marriage-Based Visa is available on our website. Please click here for detailed information.

Applicants will be able to schedule or re-schedule immigrant visa appointments (Including K-1 and K-3 visas) by themselves via a new website or through the assistance of a new call center at (+254 20) 619-0600 +254 20 500-6656 (in Kenya) or +1 703 439 2302 (in the United States). Applicants must ensure that they select a DHL location as they schedule an appointment. This service is free of charge to our applicants. Immigrant visa applicants will continue to pay for any required visa fees at the U.S. Embassy cashier.

Important Notice:

We are closed to the public the last Wednesday of every month and any Kenyan or American holidays.

Please note that all applicants below 14 years are required to have a guardian accompany them to the Embassy for their interview.  The guardian must bring with them the original power of attorney from the petitioner, stating that they are authorized to sign documents on behalf of the petitioner. The guardian must also bring a government issued photo identification to be allowed access to the Embassy.

Customer Service Statement to Visa Applicants

If you're a citizen of a foreign country and intend to live/reside permanently in the United States, you'll need an Immigrant Visa to enter the United States whether or not you plan to seek employment.

The Immigrant Visa Unit conducts immigrant visa interviews by appointment only. When your visa interview is scheduled, you will be notified of your appointment date in a letter from either the National Visa Center or Kentucky Consular Center for Diversity Visa.

Note that the appointment time for all interviews is 6:30 am Monday through Thursday, excluding Kenyan or American Holidays and the last Wednesday of the month. If the beneficiary does not appear with all the required documents and appropriate issuance fee on their appointment day, they will be required to reschedule their interview to a later date.

The Consular Section in Nairobi will contact K Visa and Expedite visa applicants directly with instructions on the visa process as soon as their files are received from the National Visa center.

If the beneficiary does not appear with all the required documents and appropriate interview/issuance fee on time on the appointment day, they will be required to reschedule their own interview appointment to a later date.

Returning Resident

In general, if a legal permanent resident remains outside of the United States for more than one year, without having a valid re-entry permit, the domicile in the U.S. is considered abandoned and the residency status is terminated.  In certain cases, permanent resident aliens, who are unable to return to the United States within one year, may apply to the nearest U.S. consular office for a special immigrant Returning Resident (SB-1) visa. 

To qualify for SB-1 Visa, one is required to have the following:-

• Fill out the Returning Resident Form (DS-117) by going to h   ttp://www.travel.state.gov/visa/forms/forms_1342.html
• Attach the reason for your over stay
• A non-refundable fee of $275 to determine returning resident status is required or the equivalent in Kenyan Shillings.
• Once you have all the above documents and fee please come in to the consular section at 1.30pm any Monday to Thursday except on Kenyan or American holidays and every last Wednesday of each month.

Once all the above is submitted to the Consular section, the Consular officer reviews the documents and determines whether or not one is qualified as a returning resident.  If approved, the applicant is sent a packet of instructions on how to apply for the visa.

If one fails to qualify for a Returning Resident visa, the only other option is for the U.S. Citizen or Legal resident relative filing a new petition for immigrant visa.  For more information, please visit the State Department website.

 Submission of fake documents or misrepresentation of facts in any way could render you permanently ineligible for an immigrant visa to the United States of America.

Please do not make any travel arrangement until you have your visas at hand.

Once you have been interviewed and approved for an immigrant visa, collection of the immigrant visa will be within one week from the day it has been approved via DHL location selected.  Please Make sure you are properly registered to facilitate collection of your visa.

Important Notice:

There are specific procedures that American citizens resident abroad should follow if they wish to sponsor an immediate relative (spouse, parent or minor child) for an immigrant visa. The immediate relative petition (I-130) must be filed with the USCIS office responsible for the petitioner's place of residence (that is, the place of residence of the American citizen who is filing the petition). The consular section will continue to provide guidance to American Citizen Petitioners and their family members. However, responsibility for acceptance and approval of I-130 petitions lies solely with USCIS. The US embassy in Nairobi has a USCIS/DHS office which is responsible for the approval of I-130 petitions that are filed in Nairobi. American citizens who intend to file a petition for a family member may contact the local Department of Homeland Security office to ascertain if they meet the requirements to file a particular petition.