Registration for the 2016 United States Diversity Visa Program commonly known as Green Card has opened.

The program opened Wednesday and is scheduled to close on November 3, 2014, the US Department of State said.

Kenyans wishing to submit entries must do so electronically during the registration period using the electronic DV entry form (E-DV) at dvlottery.state.gov.

Applicants who submit paper entries will be rejected. All applicants are encouraged to print and retain their online confirmation page after completing their Diversity Visa entries to enable them check their entry status.

“We strongly encourage applicants not to wait until the last week of the registration period to enter. Heavy demand may result in website delays. No entries will be accepted after November 3,” the State Department said.

Entrants selected during the draw will receive instructions on how to proceed. They can then go ahead and apply for immigrant visas for themselves and their eligible family members.

A number of countries however will not be eligible to apply for this year’s program as they have sent over 50,000 immigrants to the US in the last five years.

They include including Brazil, Nigeria, South Korea, the United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, Ecuador, and Mexico.

The Diversity Visa Program was on the chopping board last year when the US Senate passed a Bill aimed at reforming the United States immigration system.

However the US House of Representatives did not follow up the Bill and it stalled maintaining the visa program.

-Daily Nation