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Kenya · Africa
U.S. visas issued to nationals of Kenya
The reports below contain preliminary data which are subject to change. Beginning with FY 2020, individual monthly issuance reports should not be aggregated, as this will not provide an accurate issuance total for the fiscal year to date. Instead, refer to our annual Report of the Visa Office for final full Fiscal Year statistics.
In September 2025, 1,611 nonimmigrant visas were issued to nationals of Kenya, the 52nd largest count among 203 nationalities that month; that is down 18% on September 2024 (1,953).
For the full fiscal year the Department's Report of the Visa Office lists 24,278 nonimmigrant visas issued to nationals of Kenya in FY2024, 0.2% of the 10,969,936 issued worldwide and the 55th largest nationality of 197. The previous year's figure was 28,305 (FY2023).
The largest classes in September 2025 were B1/B2 (temporary visitor for business and pleasure) with 894, G2 (other representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and immediate family) with 169 and C1/D (combined transit and crewmember visa) with 122. 936 immigrant visas were issued to applicants chargeable to Kenya in the same month, led by DV (762) and IR1 (43).
The Department's adjusted refusal rate for B (visitor) visa applicants who are nationals of Kenya was 68.23% in FY2025, close to the Africa median of 55.57%; it was 63.32% in FY2024. The rate covers B visas only and is the Department's own calculation, counting each applicant once by their final status in the year.
In the Diversity Visa program, 3,949 entrants chargeable to Kenya were selected for DV-2026, 3% of all selectees that year; the count was 4,459 for DV-2025. Selection is not a visa; the Department's pages explain that selectees must still qualify and that more are selected than there are visas.
The U.S. post in Kenya (Nairobi) issued 1,581 nonimmigrant visas in September 2025, to applicants of all nationalities.
Nonimmigrant issuances by month
Compared with the Africa region and the world
| Measure | Kenya | Africa (54 nationalities) | All nationalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonimmigrant visas, FY2024, Report of the Visa Office | 24,278 | 539,434 | 10,969,936 |
| Median nationality, FY2024, Report of the Visa Office | — | 2,955 | 7,901 |
| Nonimmigrant visas, Sep 2025 | 1,611 | 23,471 | 823,557 |
| Change on Sep 2024 | -18% | — | -11% |
| Immigrant visas, Sep 2025 | 936 | — | 45,966 |
| B-visa adjusted refusal rate, FY2025 | 68.23% | 55.57% | 31.28% |
| DV-2026 selectees | 3,949 | — | 129,516 |
Fiscal-year rows are the Department's Report of the Visa Office tables; monthly rows are the September 2025 report alone. Region and world refusal figures are medians across the nationalities listed in the Department's table for that year; regions follow the Report of the Visa Office grouping.
Visa classes, FY2024, Report of the Visa Office
| Class | Description (State Department) | Issued, FY2024 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1/B2 | Temporary visitor for business and pleasure | 15,541 | 64% |
| F1 | Student in an academic or language training program | 1,902 | 7.8% |
| C1/D | Combined transit and crewmember visa | 1,802 | 7.4% |
| J1 | Exchange visitor | 776 | 3.2% |
| A2 | Other foreign government official or employee, or immediate family | 641 | 2.6% |
| G4 | International organization officer or employee, and immediate family | 520 | 2.1% |
| B1 | Temporary visitor for business | 468 | 1.9% |
| K1 | Fiance(e) of U.S. citizen | 410 | 1.7% |
| B2 | Temporary visitor for pleasure | 326 | 1.3% |
| H1B | Temporary worker of distinguished merit and ability performing services other than as a registered nurse | 319 | 1.3% |
| H4 | Spouse or child of H-1B/B1/C, H-2A/B, or H-3 | 289 | 1.2% |
| J2 | Spouse or child of exchange visitor | 258 | 1.1% |
| F2 | Spouse or child of F1 | 229 | 0.9% |
| G2 | Other representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and immediate family | 218 | 0.9% |
| K2 | Child of K-1 | 106 | 0.4% |
| C1 | Alien in transit | 85 | 0.4% |
| R1 | Alien in a religious occupation | 72 | 0.3% |
| A1 | Ambassador, public minister, career diplomat or consular officer, or immediate family | 60 | 0.2% |
| I | Representative of foreign information media, spouse and children | 36 | 0.1% |
| L1 | Intracompany transferee (executive, managerial, and specialized personnel continuing employment with international firm or corporation) | 35 | 0.1% |
| G1 | Principal resident representative of recognized foreign government to international organization, staff, or immediate family | 34 | 0.1% |
| R2 | Spouse or child of R1 | 27 | 0.1% |
| M1 | Vocational student and other nonacademic student | 24 | 0.1% |
| O1 | Person with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics | 19 | 0.1% |
| L2 | Spouse or child of intracompany transferee | 14 | 0.1% |
| P1 | Internationally recognized athlete or member of internationally recognized entertainment group | 14 | 0.1% |
| C3 | Foreign government official, immediate family, attendant, servant or personal employee, in transit | 12 | 0% |
| P3 | Artist or entertainer in a culturally unique program | 6 | 0% |
| T3 | Child of T1 | 6 | 0% |
| U3 | Child of U-1 | 6 | 0% |
From the Department's annual NIV detail table (nationality by class). Older symbol spellings in the table (B-1,2; H-1B) are shown in the current form.
Visa classes, September 2025
| Class | Description (State Department) | Issued | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1/B2 | Temporary visitor for business and pleasure | 894 | 55.5% |
| G2 | Other representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and immediate family | 169 | 10.5% |
| C1/D | Combined transit and crewmember visa | 122 | 7.6% |
| A2 | Other foreign government official or employee, or immediate family | 93 | 5.8% |
| F1 | Student in an academic or language training program | 93 | 5.8% |
| J1 | Exchange visitor | 50 | 3.1% |
| H1B | Temporary worker of distinguished merit and ability performing services other than as a registered nurse | 32 | 2% |
| H4 | Spouse or child of H-1B/B1/C, H-2A/B, or H-3 | 27 | 1.7% |
| G4 | International organization officer or employee, and immediate family | 22 | 1.4% |
| J2 | Spouse or child of exchange visitor | 22 | 1.4% |
| K1 | Fiance(e) of U.S. citizen | 22 | 1.4% |
| K2 | Child of K-1 | 16 | 1% |
| A1 | Ambassador, public minister, career diplomat or consular officer, or immediate family | 10 | 0.6% |
| B1 | Temporary visitor for business | 7 | 0.4% |
| F2 | Spouse or child of F1 | 7 | 0.4% |
| C3 | Foreign government official, immediate family, attendant, servant or personal employee, in transit | 4 | 0.2% |
| P1 | Internationally recognized athlete or member of internationally recognized entertainment group | 4 | 0.2% |
| I | Representative of foreign information media, spouse and children | 3 | 0.2% |
| A3 | Attendant, servant, or personal employee of A1 or A2, or immediate family | 2 | 0.1% |
| C1 | Alien in transit | 2 | 0.1% |
| H2B | Temporary worker performing other services | 2 | 0.1% |
| R1 | Alien in a religious occupation | 2 | 0.1% |
| G5 | Attendant, servant, or personal employee of G1 through G4, and immediate family | 1 | 0.1% |
| H3 | Trainee | 1 | 0.1% |
| L1 | Intracompany transferee (executive, managerial, and specialized personnel continuing employment with international firm or corporation) | 1 | 0.1% |
| M1 | Vocational student and other nonacademic student | 1 | 0.1% |
| R2 | Spouse or child of R1 | 1 | 0.1% |
| T3 | Child of T1 | 1 | 0.1% |
Immigrant visa classes, September 2025 (foreign state of chargeability)
| Class | Description (State Department) | Issued | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| DV | Diversity immigrant (DV1, DV2, DV3) | 762 | 81.4% |
| IR1 | Spouse of U.S. citizen | 43 | 4.6% |
| IR5 | Parent of U.S. citizen at least 21 years of age | 36 | 3.8% |
| IR2 | Child of U.S. citizen | 34 | 3.6% |
| E3 | Employment third preference: skilled worker or professional holding baccalaureate degree, spouse and child (E31, E32, E34, E35) | 22 | 2.4% |
| F4 | Family fourth preference: brother or sister of U.S. citizen at least 21 years of age, spouse and child (F41, F42, F43) | 11 | 1.2% |
| F1 | Family first preference: unmarried son or daughter of U.S. citizen, and child (F11, F12, B11, B12) | 7 | 0.7% |
| F2B | Family second preference (2B): unmarried son or daughter of lawful permanent resident, and child (F24, F25, C24, C25, B24, B25) | 7 | 0.7% |
| E1 | Employment first preference (priority workers): person with extraordinary ability, outstanding professor or researcher, multinational executive or manager, spouse and child (E11-E15) | 6 | 0.6% |
| F3 | Family third preference: married son or daughter of U.S. citizen, spouse and child (F31, F32, F33, C31-C33, B31-B33) | 2 | 0.2% |
| FX | Family second preference, exempt from country limitations: spouse or child of lawful permanent resident (FX1, FX2, FX3, CX1-CX3, BX1-BX3) | 2 | 0.2% |
| IW | Certain spouses of deceased U.S. citizens, and their children (IW1, IW2) | 2 | 0.2% |
| CR1 | Spouse of U.S. citizen (conditional status) | 1 | 0.1% |
| SB1 | Returning resident | 1 | 0.1% |
Nonimmigrant issuances by fiscal year, Report of the Visa Office
| Fiscal year | All classes | Visitors (B) | Students, exchange (F, M, J) | Temporary workers | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2015 | 22,090 | 16,474 | 1,713 | 429 | — |
| FY2016 | 27,079 | 21,288 | 2,000 | 388 | +23% |
| FY2017 | 25,677 | 20,809 | 1,945 | 376 | -5% |
| FY2018 | 22,478 | 17,515 | 1,901 | 375 | -12% |
| FY2019 | 21,590 | 15,782 | 1,922 | 376 | -4% |
| FY2020 | 8,337 | 6,049 | 769 | 193 | -61% |
| FY2021 | 6,132 | 2,515 | 1,989 | 196 | -26% |
| FY2022 | 16,206 | 10,894 | 1,734 | 695 | +164% |
| FY2023 | 28,305 | 19,152 | 2,796 | 731 | +75% |
| FY2024 | 24,278 | 16,335 | 3,189 | 841 | -14% |
Fiscal years run October to September. Every row is the Department's final annual detail table for that year; the visitor, student and worker columns add the table's class columns within one year. No monthly reports are summed.
Adjusted B-visa refusal rate by fiscal year
Dark bar: Kenya. Grey bar: Africa median for the same year. The Department's rate covers B visas only; it counts each applicant once, in the status in which the fiscal year ended, so an applicant refused and later issued in the same year counts as an issuance. Source tables: FY2023, FY2024, FY2025.
Diversity Visa selectees by program year
| Program year | Selectees chargeable to Kenya | Share of all selectees | All selectees |
|---|---|---|---|
| DV-2016 | 2,729 | 3% | 91,563 |
| DV-2017 | 2,090 | 2.5% | 83,910 |
| DV-2018 | 2,997 | 2.6% | 115,968 |
| DV-2019 | 2,107 | 2.4% | 87,610 |
| DV-2020 | 1,801 | 2.1% | 83,884 |
| DV-2021 | 2,777 | 2.1% | 132,404 |
| DV-2022 | 2,882 | 2.4% | 119,021 |
| DV-2023 | 3,417 | 2.9% | 119,262 |
| DV-2024 | 3,760 | 2.6% | 142,947 |
| DV-2025 | 4,459 | 3.4% | 131,060 |
| DV-2026 | 3,949 | 3% | 129,516 |
Counts of selected entrants as published on the Department's "selected entrants" pages; no names are published or held. Selection is not a visa: the Department selects more entrants than visas available, and DV visas are issued only to selectees who qualify before the program year ends.
U.S. posts in Kenya
- Nairobi: 1,581 nonimmigrant visas issued in Sep 2025, to applicants of all nationalities
Questions and answers
What is the U.S. visa refusal rate for nationals of Kenya?
The State Department's adjusted refusal rate for B (business and tourist) visas was 68.23% in FY2025 against a Africa median of 55.57%. The Department publishes this rate only for B visas and only by nationality; it counts each applicant once, by the status in which the year ended.
How many U.S. visas were issued to nationals of Kenya last year?
24,278 nonimmigrant visas in FY2024, Report of the Visa Office, the Department's final annual figure. In September 2025, the latest monthly report, 1,611 were issued.
How does September 2025 compare with a year earlier for Kenya?
1,611 nonimmigrant visas, down 18% on September 2024 (1,953). Months are compared one to one; the Department says its monthly reports should not be added together.
Which visa classes do nationals of Kenya receive most?
B1/B2 (15,541), F1 (1,902), C1/D (1,802), J1 (776) and A2 (641) in FY2024, Report of the Visa Office.
How many DV lottery selectees did Kenya have?
3,949 for DV-2026, 3% of all selectees. Earlier years: DV-2022 2,882, DV-2023 3,417, DV-2024 3,760, DV-2025 4,459. Being selected is not a visa; the Department selects more entrants than there are visas available.
Where do nationals of Kenya apply?
Nairobi is the U.S. post in Kenya. Nationals may also apply at posts elsewhere, subject to each post's rules, so the nationality figures on this page and the post figures are different counts.
Where does this data come from?
The State Department's monthly nonimmigrant and immigrant visa issuance tables by nationality, the annual Report of the Visa Office detail tables, the annual adjusted B-visa refusal rate tables and the Diversity Visa selectee pages. Data through 30 Sep 2025.
Provenance
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. Monthly Nonimmigrant Visa Issuances by Nationality and Visa Class; Monthly Immigrant Visa Issuances by Foreign State of Chargeability or Place of Birth and Visa Class; Report of the Visa Office NIV detail tables (workbook); Adjusted Refusal Rate, B-Visas Only, by Nationality; Diversity Visa selected entrants pages. All public domain. Data through 30 Sep 2025. See corrections.