Are you planning a trip to Kenya soon? All travelers have to obtain a visa before entering the Kenyan borders. An eVisa allows a tourist to stay in the country for a maximum of ninety (90) days. Nationals from eligible countries may get their eVisa in just a few hours. The introduction of Kenyan eVisa eliminates the need for an appointment in the Consulate or embassy. Travelers may submit their forms online, making the application hassle-free and paperless.

Why Should You Visit Kenya?

Be one with nature and discover seven unique World Heritage sites of Kenya. The picturesque leaves travelers in awe of their natural resources and out-of-this-world tourist spots - The old town of Lamu, ruins of Thimlich Ohinga, Fort Jesus, and many more! Currently, there are a hundred operational wildlife conservancies in the country, available for public and private viewing. Kenya aims to maintain a healthy wildlife ecosystem in all safari and national parks while promoting local and international tourism.

Kenya Visa Requirements

Eligible citizens can apply for Kenya e-Visa if they fulfill the following requirements.

• Upon the intended travel date, passport validity should be at least 6 months
• A clear photograph of the passport’s biodata page
• A clear image of the applicant
• Proof of accommodation in Kenya - Hotel bookings
• Return or onward ticket within visa validity or boarding pass for in-transit passengers
• The additional requirement must be in PDF, Word, or JPG format.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Kindly check the visa type page for additional documents in each type.

Standard Photo Requirement

• Applicants must not use a selfie or take a photograph or scan the photo in their passport.
• Applicants should submit a photo taken within six months. The image must show the current appearance of the traveler.
• The photo must be clear and colored.
• The photo must have no filters or any computer alterations.
• The photo must not have any defects or damage.
• The background should be off-white or plain white, and no digital alterations.
• Wearing an eyeglass, a hat or head covering, or anything else that obscures parts of your face is strictly prohibited. Exceptions are for individuals who wear head coverings for medical and religious purposes.
• Applicant must wear ordinary attire. Uniforms and costumes are not applicable. Religious clothes worn daily are the only exception.
• Applicants who wear prescription glasses, hearing aid devices, a wig, or similar accessories also have exemptions.
• No exemption for nonprescription glasses with tinted or dark glasses unless the applicant must wear these accessories for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

Get Started with eVisa Online

Visitors to the Republic of Kenya can now apply for their eVisa services in a simple, secure, and convenient way. It's a 3 step process.

Types of Kenya eVisa:

Kenya e-Visa is of many different types. So, it may confuse travellers to determine which type of visa they need to apply for. The first thing you need to determine in this regard is whether you have to apply for a sticker visa or an e-visa. This completely depends on the purpose of your travel to Kenya.

You can apply for the following visa depending on the purpose of the travel:

Kenya single Entry Visa

Kenya single Entry Visa is eligible for travelers whose nationalities require visas to enter Kenyan borders for tourism, medical and business purposes.

Visa Validity: Three (3) months from the date of issuance

Renewal: Eligible for ninety (90) days extension

Requirements:

• Upon the intended travel date, passport validity should be at least six months
• A clear image of the passport’s biodata page
• A clear and recent photograph of the applicant
• The additional document must be in PDF, Word Document, or JPG format

Additional Requirements for Business Visit

• Company or business invitation letter indicating the name of the company and the purpose of the visit
• Registration copy of the company in Kenya

Additional Requirements for Tourist Visit

• Travel itinerary
• Hotel accommodation

Additional Requirements for Family Visit

• Invitation letter from a family member residing in Kenya
• Sponsor or host’s identity card, passport, or alien card

Kenya Transit Visa

Kenya Transit Visa is eligible for nationals or individuals transiting from Kenya to another country who has no intention of staying within the borders for more than three (3) days. Obtaining a Kenya transit visa allows the traveler to leave the airport and explore all the cities in Kenya for a maximum of seventy-two (72) hours. Travelers who will not leave the airport and transfer from one aircraft to another do not need to apply for a Transit Visa.

Visa Validity: The period of stay must not exceed seventy-two (72) hours. If the traveler requires more time to stay in Kenya, they must apply for a Kenya Single Entry Tourist eVisa.

Renewal: Not eligible for an extension, but travelers may apply for a Single Entry Visa instead.

Requirements:

• Upon the intended travel date, passport validity should be at least six months
• A boarding pass for in-transit passengers or return or onward ticket within the visa validity
• A clear image of the passport’s biodata page
• A clear and recent photograph of the applicant
• The additional document must be in PDF, Word Document, or JPG format

East Africa Tourist Visa

East Africa Tourist Visa is an exclusive travel permit for travelers visiting the Republic of Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda for leisure. This visa is eligible for multiple entries.

Visa Validity: Three (3) months from the date of issuance and will expire once the traveler leaves either one of the three countries.

Renewal: Not eligible for extension

Requirements:

• Upon the intended travel date, passport validity should be at least six months
• A clear image of the passport’s biodata page
• A clear and recent photograph of the applicant
• The additional document must be in PDF, Word Document, or JPG format
• If the travelers visit Uganda, they must present a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate

Additional Requirements for Family Visit

• Invitation letter from a family member living in Kenya
• Host’s identity card, passport, or alien card

Additional Requirements for Tourist Visit

• Trip itinerary
• Hotel lodging

Additional Requirements for Business Visit

• Company invitation letter indicating the purpose of the visit and the name of the class="p1"company
• Copy of company registration in Kenya

Kenya Courtesy Entry Visa

Kenya Courtesy Entry Visa is eligible for individuals who own Diplomatic, Service, and Official passports visiting and transiting through Kenya borders for official business and duties. This visa is issued free of charge.

Validity: Three (3) months from the date of issuance

Requirements:

• Upon the intended travel date, passport validity should be at least six months
• Return or onward ticket within visa validity or boarding pass for in-transit passengers
• A clear photograph of the passport’s biodata page
• A clear photograph of the applicant
• Official letter from the country of origin stating the foreign affairs or organization they represent.
• The additional requirement must be in PDF, Word, or JPG format.
• Applicants under category three (3) will have to follow the Kenyan Visa and Regulations whether they are transiting through Kenya or visiting for official duty.

Kenya Multiple Entry Visa

Kenya Multiple Entry Visa is eligible for individuals who visit Kenya frequently for tourism, medical or business purposes. This visa needs approval from the office of the Director of Immigration Services.

Visa Validity: Six to twelve months from the date of issuance

Requirements:

• Upon the intended travel date, passport validity should be at least six months
• Return or onward ticket within visa validity or boarding pass for in-transit passengers
• A clear photograph of the passport’s biodata page
• A clear photograph of the applicant
• The additional requirement must be in PDF, Word, or JPG format.

Additional Requirements for Family Visit

• Invitation letter from a family member living in Kenya
• Host’s identity card, passport, or alien card

Additional Requirements for Tourist Visit

• Trip itinerary
• Hotel lodging

Additional Requirements for Business Visit

• Company invitation letter indicating the purpose of the visit and the name of the company
• Copy of company registration in Kenya
• Employee ID or original copy of Certificate of Employment

Additional Requirements for Students

• Recommendation or official letter from the school stating the purpose of visit and the validity of multiple-entry visa

A 5-Year Multiple Entry Visais

A 5-Year Multiple Entry Visais offered to USA nationals to cater short or long-term business trips to Kenya. This visa is not yet applicable for online application. Applicants may go directly to the Kenya Embassy in Washington DC.

Visa Validity: Five (5) years from the date of issuance. The USA national will have six months to accomplish the first entry. Otherwise, the visa will become void.

Requirements:

• Upon the intended travel date, passport validity should be at least six months
• Return or onward ticket within visa validity or boarding pass for in-transit passengers
• A clear photograph of the passport’s biodata page
• A clear photograph of the applicant
• The additional requirement must be in PDF, Word, or JPG format.

Additional Requirements for Family Visit

• Invitation letter from a family member living in Kenya
• Host’s identity card, passport, or alien card

Additional Requirements for Tourist Visit

• Trip itinerary
• Hotel lodging

Additional Requirements for Business Visit

• Company invitation letter indicating the purpose of the visit and the name of the company
• Copy of company registration in Kenya

Kenya eVisa Extension

Kenya eVisa Extension is issued to travelers who need more days after consuming the initial period stated on their eVisa. They may renew their visa at Nairobi Immigration Headquarters for another ninety (90) days. Travelers may apply for renewal two weeks before the current eVisa expires. The only individuals who can avail of the extension are the visitors who arrived in Kenya and currently possess a Visitor’s pass. The form for the eVisa extension is available online, and applicants may fill it out in advance before going to Immigration Counter at Nyayo House, Nairobi.

Requirements:

• Existing Visitor’s pass
• Passport Copy
• Fill Out the Online Application Form

How to apply for Kenyan eVisa?

Eligible nationals can quickly apply online for a visa to Kenya. Some quick and simple steps to process your application:

1. Click Kenya eVisa Application
2. Select the Type of Kenya eVisa suitable for the visit
3. Complete the Kenya eVisa Application Form with accurate and complete information
4. Pay the visa fee using a credit card or other online payment option.
5. Receive progressive updates about the status of the application.
6. Wait for an email confirmation. You can download your eVisa and print it. Travelers may present it to border authorities upon arrival in Kenya.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• The Republic of Kenya requires a visa for all travelers before border entry.
• The Kenyan Visa application is non-refundable.
• Applications must have complete and accurate information.
• Obtaining an eVisa is not the final evaluation and does not guarantee successful entry into the Republic of Kenya. Kenyan border authorities have all the rights to deny entrance.
• Using eVisa as a leeway to get an employment and business permit in the Republic of Kenya is strictly prohibited. Kenyan Immigration recommends applying for an appropriate visa related to their purpose of visit.
• Processing of eVisa may take one to two business days.
• Parents/Guardians may submit eVisa applications for minors in a joint submission.

Checking Application Status

Applicants who have successfully submitted their form may track their visa application by following the instruction below:

• Input the Application ID – Upon successful submission online, the applicant will get their Application ID on the last page.
• Input the Passport No. in the application.

Applicants will receive a notification of every progress of the visa application.

Who is eligible to apply for a Kenya Visa?

Foreign nationals traveling to Kenya must apply for an eVisa. As of January 1, 2021, Kenya transitioned from manual application and visa on arrival to online eVisa issuance. The Government of Kenya took its first step to service digitalization, in line with its goal to give a better service to travelers entering their borders. Kenyan visa eligibility established the following categories:

Category 1 - Nationals and individuals must apply for a visa to enter Kenyan borders.

Travelers from the following countries are eligible to apply for Kenya eVisa:

Category 2 - Nationals and individuals who can enter Kenya without a visa.

The following travelers get exemption from Kenyan Visa requirements:

• Children under sixteen (16) years old (regardless of nationality)
• In-transit travelers who do not leave the ship or airport transit area
• In-transit passengers who have to arrive and leave Kenya by the same plane or have transferred to another aircraft.
• Travellers who have diplomatic, official, and service passports issued from the following countries:

Exemption for countries under [a] applies to diplomatic and service passport holders. Exemptions for countries under [b] only apply to diplomatic passport holders.

Important Conditions:

• Service and Diplomatic Passport holders from the People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran may stay in Kenya for up to thirty (30) days.
• Official, Diplomatic, Service, and Special passports from the Republic of turkey , Brazil, and Cuba may stay in Kenya for up to
• (90) days.
• Diplomatic Passport holders from the Federal Republic of Nigeria may stay in Kenya for up to thirty (30) days.
• Diplomatic Passports holders from the State of Israel and the Republic of India may stay in Kenya for up to ninety (90) days.

• Travelers who are members of the following groups also get exempted from Kenya eVisa formalities:
  • Laissez-passers holders issued by African Reinsurance Corporation
  • African Airlines Travel Association
  • African Housing Fund
  • African Development Bank
  • African Union of Broadcasting
  • African Union
  • Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa
  • Laissez-Passers of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
  • Desert Locust Control Organisation for Central and Southern Africa
  • Environment Liaison Centre International
  • European Union
  • Intergovernmental Authority on Development
  • International Monetary Fund
  • International Potato Centre
  • International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa
  • United Nations and the World Bank
  • British Armed Forces
  • Union of Radio, Television Network of Africa Laissez-Passei
  • International Labour Organization (ILO) Laissez-Passers while on ILO business
  • Crew members of aircraft may stay up to seven (7) days
  • Crew members of ships may stay up to up to fourteen (14) days;
  • Owners of private aircraft that enter Kenyan borders to refuel so long as the plane does not leave the airport.

Nationalities from the countries below may travel to Kenya without obtaining a visa for up to ninety (90) days:

Important Conditions: Countries under [1] may stay up to thirty (30) days. Countries under [2] that acknowledge themselves as nationals of Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda may use their national identity card as travel documents.

Category 3 - Nationals and individuals whose applications have passed to the Directorate of Immigration Services for further verification

Stateless people and nationalities from the following country are NOT eligible for eVisa application.

Their documents are referred to the Directorate of Immigration Services and may take tedious processing due to the following factors:

• Prohibited immigrants
• Local objection or international restriction to the country of origin country
• Persons or refugees who do not possess a valid passport or any travel documents issued from the country they originated from, including United Nations Refugee Travel Documents.
• Multiple entry visas and Five-year Multiple Entry requires a Consulate or embassy visit. Processing time may take fourteen to sixty days.

Kenya eVisa Entry Ports

The eVisa is eligible at the following ports of entry:

Documents You Need to Present at the Kenya Port of Entry:

When you show up at any port of entry in Kenya, you will have to present the border control officials with some documents to prove your eligibility to enter the country. However, this requirement is for travellers from those countries that require a visa to enter Kenya . They will provide the following documents to the officials.

• A valid passport
• An approved e-visa or sticker visa (as applicable).

Kenya Travelers Health Surveillance Form

After the scare of COVID-19, Kenya re-opened its border to all tourists in October 2021. Health Surveillance Form is an additional requirement by the Government of Kenya to certify the medical and health condition of the traveler entering its borders. Nationals and individuals must declare their travel history within fourteen (14) days of the trip to Kenya. This document is available to get online.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative RT-PCR test seventy-two (72) hours before departure to the country of origin.
• Unvaccinated travelers who fail to provide a negative RT-PCR test within the given period may be refused to get on board or may result denial of entry to Kenya.

Frequently asked questions