Kenya visa information

Overview

The Directorate of Immigration Services has launched evisa.go.ke which allows visitors to apply for the Republic of Kenya evisa online without having to visit a Kenyan diplomatic mission, or obtain the visa on arrival.

What is an eVisa

An eVisa is an authorization document issued in PDF format which allows visitors to travel to a Kenyan entry point. The eVisa should be presented to an immigration officer at any point of entry who grants the right to enter the Republic of Kenya by issuing visitors pass and endorsing it on the holders passport.

Validity of an eVisa

Category 2 Single Entry Visa is valid for travel within 3months from the date of issue. Category 3 Single Entry Visa is valid for travel within 1 month from the date of issue.

How to verify an eVisa

The visa is accessible for viewing by your airline, or at port, through an electronic system managed by the Kenyan Government. Once the e visa is issued, the holder can travel to an entry point where their passport will be stamped then they are allowed entry. Verify your evisa below.

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 Kenyan visas:

Single Entry Visa:

Issued for single entry to persons whose nationalities require a visa to enter Kenya either for business,tourism or medical reasons.

Transit Visa:

Issued to persons connecting through Kenya to other destinations for a period not exceeding 72 hours.

Courtesy Entry Visa:

Issued to Diplomatic, Official and Service passport holders on official duties, or on transit for official business or duties. It is issued free of charge / gratis.

East African Tourist Visa:This is a joint tourist visa that entitles holders to travel to and within the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Uganda for the purpose of tourism.

Application steps

In order to apply for an eVisa, visitors should:

  1. Click on Create an account.
  2. Click on Evisa Application
  3. Fill Application form
  4. Pay Using Visa Card, Mastercard and other debit or credit cards.
  5. Await approval then download and print the eVisa from your eVisa account.
  6. Present your printed eVisa to the immigration officer at the port of entry.

Points to note

  1. Visa processing fee is non refundable.
  2. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
  3. The possesion of an eVisa is not the final Authority to enter The Republic of Kenya.
  4. Engaging in any form of business or employment without a requisite permit or pass is an offence.
  5. A visa is required prior to entry into The Republic of Kenya.
  6. The e-Visa printout must be presented at the port of entry.
  7. It should take atleast 2 working days to get your eVisa.
  8. Each adult visitor to the Republic of Kenya is required to submit evisa applications in their personal eVisa account. Parents can apply for their children in the parents account.

Detailed information about Kenya & East Africa Visas & Fees

Single Entry Visa
Transit Visa
Courtesy Visa
East African Tourist Visa
Multiple Entry Visa
5yr Multiple Entry Visa
Single Entry Visa

Single Entry Visa

Issued for single entry to persons whose nationalities require a visa to enter Kenya either for business, tourism, medical or other reasons.

Basic Requirements

  1. Valid travel document not less than six months.
  2. A Return ticket

Validity

Category 2 Single Entry Visa is valid for travel with 3 months from the date of issue

Renewal

Your stay period may be extended for a further 90 days through fns.immigration.go.ke.

Fees

All evisa applications attract a 1 USD service charge and a card handling fee will be surcharged.

Card handling fee will be surcharged for Debit cards, Credit cards, VISA Card, Mastercard

$51

Attachments

During the application process, you will be required to attach the following documents. The file formats that may be attached are PDF, JPG, or Microsoft word.

For Business Visits

  1. Invitation Letters from company / Invitation letter for business visits
  2. Copies of registration of the company
  3. Return air ticket

For Family visits

  1. Invitation Letters from family.
  2. Identity card / Passport / Alien card / Entry permit of the host.
  3. Return air ticket

For Tourists

  1. Travel itinerary (Details about places to visit if going as a tourist).
  2. Hotel bookings.
  3. Return air ticket

Identity Documents

  1. Clear Passport biodata page.
  2. A clear photograph.

Photo requirements

  1. DO NOT take a photograph of or scan the photo in your passport.
  2. Must be taken within the past 6 months, showing your current appearance.
  3. Must be in color.
  4. Must show your full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
  5. Must show a full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
  6. Must be taken in normal street attire. Uniforms should NOT BE worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
  7. Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
  8. If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig, or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
  9. Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

Transit Visa

Transit Visa

Issued to persons connecting through Kenya to other destinations for a period not exceeding 72 hours. Those connecting flights directly without leaving the airport don’t need to apply for Transit visas.

Basic Requirements

  1. Valid travel document not less than six months.
  2. A round trip ticket.

Fees

All evisa applications attract a 1 USD service charge and a card handling fee will be surcharged.

Card handling fee will be surcharged for Debit cards, Credit cards, VISA Card, Mastercard

$21

Attachments

During the application process, you will be required to attach the following documents. The file formats that may be attached are PDF, JPG, or Microsoft word.

Identity Documents

  1. Clear Passport biodata page.
  2. A clear photograph.

Photo requirements

  1. DO NOT take a photograph of or scan the photo in your passport.
  2. Must be taken within the past 6 months, showing your current appearance.
  3. Must be in color.
  4. Must show your full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
  5. Must show a full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
  6. Must be taken in normal street attire. Uniforms should NOT BE worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
  7. Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
  8. If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig, or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
  9. Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

Courtesy Visa

Courtesy Visa

This is a visa issued to Diplomatic, Official and Service passport holders coming into the country on official duties, or transiting through Kenya to a third country for official business or duties. It is issued free of charge/ gratis.

Basic Requirements

  1. Valid travel document not less than six months.
  2. Must be a holder of a service, official and diplomatic passport.
  3. Must hold an official letter from the country of origin/ organization/ foreign affairs.
  4. A round trip ticket or a boarding pass for passengers on transit.
  5. In cases of applicants who fall under category 3 of the Visa regime / Regulations, the Kenyan visa regulations must apply whether on transit or official business.

Fees

No Charge

$0

Attachments

During the application process, you will be required to attach the following documents. The file formats that may be attached are PDF, JPG, or Microsoft word.

Identity Documents

  1. Clear Passport biodata page.
  2. A clear photograph.

Photo requirements

  1. DO NOT take a photograph of or scan the photo in your passport.
  2. Must be taken within the past 6 months, showing your current appearance.
  3. Must be in color.
  4. Must show your full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
  5. Must show a full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
  6. Must be taken in normal street attire. Uniforms should NOT BE worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
  7. Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
  8. If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig, or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
  9. Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

East African Tourist Visa

East African Tourist Visa

This is a Joint Tourist Visa issued to persons traveling to and within Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda for tourism.

Present EVisa Printout to immigration control at the point of entry. East Africa Visa Sticker will be issues at the point of Entry in Kenya.

Basic Requirements

  1. Valid travel document not less than six months.
  2. A Return ticket

Validity

An East Africa Visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

Fees

All evisa applications attract a 1 USD service charge and a card handling fee will be surcharged.Card handling fee will be surcharged for Debit cards, Credit cards, VISA Card, Mastercard$101

Attachments

During the application process, you will be required to attach the following documents. The file formats that may be attached are PDF, JPG, or Microsoft word.

For Business Visits

  1. Invitation Letters from company / Invitation letter for business visits
  2. Copies of registration of the company

For Family visits

  1. Invitation Letters from family.
  2. Identity card / Passport / Alien card / Entry permit of the host.

For Tourists

  1. Travel itinerary (Details about places to visit if going as a tourist).
  2. Hotel bookings.

Identity Documents

  1. Clear Passport biodata page.
  2. A clear photograph.

Photo requirements

  1. DO NOT take a photograph of or scan the photo in your passport.
  2. Must be taken within the past 6 months, showing your current appearance.
  3. Must be in color.
  4. Must show your full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
  5. Must show a full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
  6. Must be taken in normal street attire. Uniforms should NOT BE worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
  7. Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
  8. If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig, or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
  9. Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

Multiple Entry Visa

Multiple Entry Visa

Issued to Persons who frequent Kenya and their nationalities require a visa to enter Kenya either for business, tourism, medical or other reasons

Present EVisa Printout to immigration control at the point of entry.

Basic Requirements

  1. Valid travel document not less than six months.
  2. A Return ticket

Validity

A Multiple entry visa is valid for 3 to 12 months from the date of issue.

Fees

Multiple Entry Visa attracts a 10 USD processing fee and 1 USD service charge,

Once approved, you will be required to pay 100 USD application fee and, a 1 USD service charge.

card handling fee to be surcharged for Debit cards, Credit cards, VISA Card, Mastercard.

$ 101

Attachments

During the application process, you will be required to attach the following documents. The file formats that may be attached are PDF, JPG, or Microsoft word.

For Business Visits

  1. Invitation Letters from company / Invitation letter for business visits
  2. Copies of registration of the company

For Family visits

  1. Invitation Letters from family.
  2. Identity card / Passport / Alien card / Entry permit of the host.

For Tourists

  1. Travel itinerary (Details about places to visit if going as a tourist).
  2. Hotel bookings.

Identity Documents

  1. Clear Passport biodata page.
  2. A clear photograph.

Photo requirements

  1. DO NOT take a photograph of or scan the photo in your passport.
  2. Must be taken within the past 6 months, showing your current appearance.
  3. Must be in color.
  4. Must show your full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
  5. Must show a full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
  6. Must be taken in normal street attire. Uniforms should NOT BE worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
  7. Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
  8. If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig, or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
  9. Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

5yr Multiple Entry Visa

5yr Multiple Entry Visa

Issued to USA nationals who require a visa to enter Kenya either for business or tourism.

Basic Requirements

  1. Valid travel document not less than six months.
  2. A Return ticket

Validity

A 5-year Multiple Entry visa is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. Present EVisa Printout to immigration control at the point of entry.

Fees

5 Year Multiple Entry Visa attracts a 10 USD processing fee and 1 USD service charge,

Once approved, you will be required to pay 160 USD application fee and, a 1 USD service charge.

Card handling fee to be surcharged for Debit cards, Credit cards, VISA Card, Mastercard.

$ 161

Attachments

During the application process, you will be required to attach the following documents. The file formats that may be attached are PDF, JPG, or Microsoft word.

For Business Visits

  1. Invitation Letters from company / Invitation letter for business visits
  2. Copies of registration of the company

For Family visits

  1. Invitation Letters from family.
  2. Identity card / Passport / Alien card / Entry permit of the host.

For Tourists

  1. Travel itinerary (Details about places to visit if going as a tourist).
  2. Hotel bookings.

Identity Documents

  1. Clear Passport biodata page.
  2. A clear photograph.

Photo requirements

  1. DO NOT take a photograph of or scan the photo in your passport.
  2. Must be taken within the past 6 months, showing your current appearance.
  3. Must be in color.
  4. Must show your full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
  5. Must show a full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
  6. Must be taken in normal street attire. Uniforms should NOT BE worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
  7. Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
  8. If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig, or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
  9. Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

Categories of Visas

Passport holders traveling to the Republic of Kenya are divided into 3 categories.

  1. Category 1 – Nationals and Persons who do not require visas to enter Kenya.
  2. Category 2 – Nationals issued with Visas on application.
  3. Category 3 – Countries and Persons who require referred Visas.

Category 1

A. All persons holding valid passports issued by Country of Nationality under – Category 1

B. Persons

  1. Children under category 2 and are aged below sixteen years.
  2. All persons whose passports are endorsed with valid Kenya re-entry passes or any other written authority in lieu of a re-entry pass.
  3. All passengers arriving and leaving by the same ship, and who don’t leave the ship.
  4. All passengers in transit through Kenya arriving and leaving by the same aircraft or transferring to another aircraft and who do not leave the international transit lounges at the international airports in Kenya.
  5. Holders of United Nations Organization Laissez-Passers whilst on official UN Business.
  6. Holders of African Union Laissez-Passers whilst on official UN business.
  7. Holders of African Development Bank Laissez-Passers whilst on official ADB business.
  8. Holders of Arab Bank for Economic Development in Laissez-Passers whilst on official ABEDA business.
  9. Holders of International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa Laissez-Passers whilst on official I.R.I.C.O. business.
  10. Holders of Desert Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa Laissez-Passers whilst on official D.I.C.O. business.
  11. Holders of COMESA Laissez-Passers whilst on official COMESA business.
  12. Holders of International Monetary Fund and World Bank Laissez-Passers whilst on official IMF/World Bank business.
  13. Holders of Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Laissez-Passers whilst official IGAD business.
  14. Holders of African Airlines Travel Association (IATA) Laissez-Passers whilst on official business.
  15. Holders of Environment Liaison Centre International Laissez-Passers whilst on official ELCI business.
  16. Holders of Union of Radio, Television Network of Africa (URTNA) Laissez-Passers whilst on official URTNA business.
  17. Holders of International Labour Organization (ILO) Laissez-Passers whilst on official ILO business.
  18. Holders of Preferential Trade Area/Common Market of East & Southern Africa bank Laissez-Passers whilst on official PTA/COMESA business.
  19. Holders of European Union Laissez-Passers whilst on official European Union Business.
  20. Holders of CIP (International Potato Centre) Laissez-Passers whilst on official CIP business.
  21. Holders of African Reinsurance Corporation (ARC) Laissez-Passers whilst on official ARC business.
  22. Holders of African Housing Fund (AHF) Laissez-Passers whilst on official AHF business.
  23. Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports from The Islamic Republic of Iran for a period not exceeding (30) days stay.
  24. Holders of Diplomatic Official, Special and Service Passports, from the Republic of Turkey and members of their families holding valid Diplomatic, Official, Special and Service Passports, while on Transit or Stay not exceeding ninety (90) days.
  25. Holders of Diplomatic, Official, or Service Passports from the Federal Republic of Brazil for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days.
  26. Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports from The People’s Republic of China for a period not exceeding (30) days stay.
  27. Holders of Diplomatic Passports from Federal Republic of Nigeria for a period not exceeding (30) days stay.
  28. Holders of Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports from Republic of Cuba for a period not exceeding (90) days stay.
  29. Holders of Diplomatic Passports from the State of Israel for a period not exceeding (90) days stay.
  30. Holders of Diplomatic Passports from the Republic of India for a period not exceeding (90) days stay.
  31. Serving Members of the British Military (are exempted from visa formalities).
  32. The manifested crew of ships and aircrafts passing through or stopping in Kenya for periods not exceeding seven (7) days in the case of aircrew and fourteen (14) days for ship’s crew.
  33. Owners of private aircraft stopping over for refueling in Kenya and who do not leave the precincts of the airport.

Category 2

Visas under this category are processed within 48hours

A. All persons holding valid passports issued by Country of Nationality under – Category 2

Category 3

A. All persons holding valid passports issued by Country of Nationality under – Category 3

B. Stateless persons not holding valid passports/documents issued by their own Country of Nationality.

C. Prohibited Immigrants

D.Multiple entry visas and 5 year Multiple Entry. Visas under this category are processed within 14 working days

Contacts

  1. Telephone Number: +254202222022
  2. Email address: evisa@immigration.go.ke
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