Kenya is one of the most popular destinations for travellers, and with good reason. The pristine beaches, thriving wildlife in national parks and game reserves, endless hiking adventures and friendly people will make your visit even more memorable. Read on to find out how to apply for the Kenya visa.
Summary
| Requirement type | Mandatory for travellers
|
| Purpose of travel | Tourism, family visits, business, medical
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| Valid | 6 months from issue; 30 days from arrival; extension of up to 90 days from arrival |
| Entry/exit | Single or multiple, depending on the type of visa
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| Processing time | 8 working days, or 4 working days for urgent applications
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| Cost | EUR 99
|
| Application method | Online or by post to the Kenya High Commission in London |
| Payment method | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal |
What Is the Kenya Visa?
The Kenyan Vias, or e-visa is an electronic document that you can apply for online on the Kenya Immigration and Nationality website and receive via your email. It is mandatory for all travellers into Kenya. In addition, you will need to submit a copy of your passport and recent photos during the application process, along with other documents depending on the type of visa you need.
You can apply for your Kenyan visa online or by post to the Kenya High Commission in London. The Kenya e-visa is mandatory for travellers to arrive at 10 selected airports, 10 selected seaports, and 11 selected border crossings in Kenya. Confirm your entry point into Kenya with your travel agent.
Types Of Kenya Visas
There are six types of Kenya visas available today for travellers:
- Single entry visa: This is the most popular type of visa for tourism, family visits, business and medical visits to Kenya.
- Diplomatic official visa: This is for diplomats travelling to Kenya on their official duties.
- East African visa: This gives multiple entries and exit for tourists travelling between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
- Transit visa: This allows travellers a short stop-over or overnight stay in Kenya.
- Referred visa: This is for nationals of certain countries with visa approval from Kenya’s Director of Immigration Services. These include Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, North Korea, Eritrea, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Syria, Tajikistan and Yemen.
This guide focuses on the single entry, multiple journeys, East African visa and transit visas in Kenya.
Requirements For the Kenya Visa
The general requirements for the Kenya visa are:
- A scanned passport with 6 months validity remaining
- At least one empty page on the passport
- A return ticket from Kenya
- Accommodation booking or invitation from a Kenyan organisation or individual
- A passport photo taken within the last 6 months
If you need a Kenya visa to visit your spouse in Kenya, you also need a copy of:
- Your marriage certificate
- Your spouse’s passport or ID
- Your spouse’s residence or work permit if they are not Kenyan
If you need a Kenya visa to visit your child who is studying in Kenya, you will need a copy of:
- Your child’s birth certificate
- Your child’s passport
- Your child’s student or pupil pass
For the multiple journey Kenya visa, you will also need:
- Scanned copies of at least 3 previous visas to Kenya
- 1 year validity on your passport
- At least 2 blank pages on your passport
For the East African visa, you will need:
- 6 months validity on your passport
- At least 2 blank pages on your passport
Who Needs a Kenya Visa?
All travellers going to Kenya need a visa, except for children under 15, travelling with their parents or guardians. If your transit through Kenya does not require you to leave the airport, you don’t need to apply for a Kenya visa. However, any individuals under 18 who are travelling alone need their visa, accompanied by their parent or guardian’s written consent.
How Long Does the Kenya Visa Last?
The Kenya e-visa is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and allows a maximum stay of 30 days with an extension of up to 90 days. However, the East African visa is valid for 90 days with no room for extension. Therefore, it is convenient for travellers who would like to visit Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda without paying for separate visas from the other countries every time they cross borders.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Kenya Visa?
Your Kenya e-visa takes 8 working days for normal processing or 4 working days for urgent applications if you apply online. However, it takes on average 5 working days to process when applying by post (allowing an extra day for dispatch to you).
How Much Does the Kenya Visa Cost?
Your application for the Kenya e-visa costs £74.95 per person, but an additional charge of £17.50 is due for urgent applications. You can pay for your Kenya e-visa through American Express, Visa, Mastercard and PayPal. The East Africa visa, transit visa and multiple journey visas have different costs, so contact your travel agency or check the official Kenyan High Commission website, https://www.kenyahighcom.org.uk/visas, for updated rates.
Extra tips
- The Kenya e-visa application requires several documents attached, including air tickets, itineraries, identification documents, invitation letters from family or friends in Kenya, the work permits of the hosts, and for business visits, the business permit of the inviting company. Gather these documents as PDF, JPG or MS Word files for easy upload and submission.
- Ideally, apply for your Kenya visa at least two weeks before your travel date.
- Ensure that you complete your Kenya e-visa application accurately before submission. Otherwise, the immigration office will reject your application, and you also lose the non-refundable visa fee.
- You must take a PCR test 96 hours before arrival in Kenya, except for children under 5 years old.
- On arrival, you will fill in a Covid-19 health surveillance form. This form is available on the Jitenge (self-isolate) app, and it generates a QR code that you present to the immigration authorities in Kenya. The Jitenge app is available on the Google Play Store.
- After your entry into Kenya using the QR code, it is upon you to self-monitor and report daily using the Jitenge app during your 14-day quarantine.
- There are 11 government-designated quarantine hotels in Nairobi and one in Mombasa. Book your hotel well in advance to secure a place for your quarantine.
- You must bring along a valid yellow fever vaccination and certificate as there is a risk of yellow fever transmission in Kenya.
- If you intend to work while in Kenya, you must apply for a work permit, even if self-employed. This work permit must be on your person throughout your stay in Kenya to avoid risking deportation.
- You cannot work using a visit visa to Kenya.
Get Your Kenya Visa Today
Whether you’re planning a holiday escape to Kenya or a trip through the neighbouring East African countries, your Kenya visa application takes only a few minutes to complete. Apply for your Kenya visa today.