Working in the USA as a Kenyan Citizen 2026
The United States is home to over 150,000 Kenyan-born immigrants, making it one of the largest Kenyan diaspora communities in the world. Kenyans work across healthcare, technology, academia, finance, and entrepreneurship. The US offers multiple work visa pathways, from temporary work visas to permanent residence through the Green Card.
US Work Visa Options for Kenyans
| Visa Type | Category | Duration | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B | Specialty Occupation | 3+3 years | Bachelor's degree + employer sponsor, lottery-based |
| H-2B | Temporary Non-Agricultural | Up to 1 year | Employer-sponsored seasonal work |
| L-1 | Intra-Company Transfer | 5-7 years | 1 year with company abroad, transfer to US office |
| O-1 | Extraordinary Ability | 3 years | Demonstrated extraordinary achievement |
| TN | USMCA Professionals | 3 years | Only for Canadians and Mexicans |
| J-1 | Exchange Visitor | 1-3 years | Educational/training exchange programs |
| EB-1 | Green Card - Priority Workers | Permanent | Extraordinary ability, professors, multinational managers |
| EB-2/EB-3 | Green Card - Professionals/Skilled | Permanent | PERM labour certification + employer sponsor |
| DV Lottery | Diversity Visa (Green Card) | Permanent | Random selection - Kenya is eligible. See DV Lottery Guide |
H-1B Visa (Most Common Work Visa)
The H-1B is the most widely used work visa for skilled professionals. However, it is lottery-based with a cap of 85,000 per year (65,000 regular + 20,000 US master's degree holders).
Requirements
- Job offer: From a US employer willing to sponsor your H-1B
- Specialty occupation: Role must require at least a bachelor's degree
- Bachelor's degree: In a field related to the job (Kenyan degrees are accepted with credential evaluation)
- Prevailing wage: Employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and location
Process and Timeline
- Employer registers you for the H-1B lottery (March each year)
- Lottery selection announced (typically late March)
- If selected, employer files H-1B petition with USCIS (April-June)
- USCIS adjudication (3-6 months, or 15 business days with premium processing)
- Visa stamping at US Embassy Nairobi
- Start date: October 1 of the same year
Costs
Employer pays most H-1B costs: filing fee ($1,710 - $4,710), anti-fraud fee ($500), ACWIA fee ($750-$1,500). The visa applicant pays the DS-160 application fee of $205 and travel costs.
Green Card (Permanent Residence) Pathways
Employment-Based Green Cards
| Category | Who Qualifies | Wait Time | Labour Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1A | Extraordinary ability (top of field) | Current (no wait) | Not required |
| EB-1B | Outstanding professors and researchers | Current | Not required |
| EB-1C | Multinational managers/executives | Current | Not required |
| EB-2 | Advanced degree professionals | 1-2 years | Required (PERM) |
| EB-2 NIW | National Interest Waiver | 1-2 years | Self-petition (no employer) |
| EB-3 | Professionals, skilled workers | 2-3 years | Required (PERM) |
Wait times for Kenyans are generally shorter than for nationals of India and China due to per-country limits. Kenya falls under "Rest of World" with faster processing.
DV Lottery (Diversity Visa)
Kenya is eligible for the DV lottery, which provides 55,000 green cards annually through a random lottery. Registration is free (starting 2026, a $1 processing fee applies) and opens each October for about 5 weeks. See our detailed DV Lottery Guide.
Nursing in the USA (Popular for Kenyans)
Nursing is one of the most accessible pathways for Kenyans to work in the US, with severe nursing shortages across the country.
Steps for Kenyan Nurses
- CGFNS Certification: Apply for credentials evaluation through CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools)
- NCLEX-RN Exam: Pass the US nursing licensure exam (can be taken in select locations or through Pearson VUE)
- English proficiency: IELTS Academic (6.5+ overall, 7.0 speaking) or TOEFL iBT (83+)
- State licensure: Apply for nursing licence in your intended US state
- VisaScreen Certificate: Required for all healthcare workers immigrating to the US
- Employer sponsorship: Hospital or staffing agency sponsors EB-3 green card or H-1B
Timeline: The entire process typically takes 18-36 months from start to arriving in the US.
Salary: US registered nurses earn $60,000 - $95,000/year depending on state and experience. California and New York offer the highest salaries.
Salary Expectations in the USA
| Profession | Entry Level | Mid-Career | Senior Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $60,000 | $80,000 | $95,000+ |
| Software Engineer | $85,000 | $120,000 | $180,000+ |
| Data Scientist | $80,000 | $115,000 | $160,000+ |
| Pharmacist | $110,000 | $130,000 | $150,000+ |
| Accountant (CPA) | $55,000 | $75,000 | $110,000+ |
| University Professor | $65,000 | $90,000 | $130,000+ |
| Physical Therapist | $70,000 | $85,000 | $100,000+ |
Salaries vary significantly by state. California, New York, and Washington have the highest pay but also the highest cost of living.
US Embassy in Kenya
- Location: United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi
- Visa appointments: Book online at ustraveldocs.com/ke
- Visa interview: Required for all work visa applicants
- Processing time: Varies; check current wait times on the embassy website
- DS-160 fee: $205 (non-refundable)
Find more details on our US Embassy page.