Kenya Visa Policy

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Visa Policy for Kenya

Kenya’s visa policy determines which visa is needed by travelers of different nationalities and in different situations. It outlines the requirements for foreign visitors who need a Kenyan visa to travel to, enter and stay within the country.

According to the Kenya visa policy, the vast majority of foreign nationals must have a visa to enter the country.

For short-term stays, such as vacations, business trips, visiting family, or seeking medical treatment, visitors can apply for a Kenya visa online.

This electronic visa, or eVisa, is simple to obtain. There is a short online form to complete with the required details. The visa is then received by email within a few days and must be printed and shown upon arrival in Kenya.

This convenient system replaced the previous Kenya visa on arrival system. Kenya amended its visa policy from the start of 2021. Now, visitors must apply for an eVisa online before traveling.

Certain travelers may need to apply for a visa in person at a Kenyan embassy or consulate. This is the case for work and study visas. In line with the Kenyan immigration policy, this also includes foreign nationals planning to move to the country.

Citizens of approximately 45 countries can visit Kenya without the need to obtain a visa, depending on the duration and purpose of the planned stay in the country.

Below you will find a complete list of Kenya travel visa restrictions from countries around the world. Travelers are recommended to check this page regularly to be informed of any changes in Kenya’s immigration policy.

Tourist Visa Policy for Kenya

Foreign visitors of most nationalities must have a tourist visa for Kenya.

According to the Kenya tourist visa policy, travelers must use the online platform to obtain an electronic visa (eVisa) before they arrive in the country.

The eVisa system provides a quick and easy way to gain authorization to travel to Kenya. Being able to apply online means that international visitors do not need to go all the way to a diplomatic mission to deal with visa paperwork in person.

Now, you simply apply from the comfort of your own home, using a computer or device connected to the internet.

In certain cases, a traveler may still need to process their application at an embassy or consulate, which is far less convenient and takes much longer.

It is normally necessary to submit a tourist embassy visa application well in advance of the intended arrival date in Kenya, as in some cases the processing time may take up to several weeks.

Nationals of a small number of countries enjoy visa exemption for Kenya. Tourists from these states may visit visa-free.

Check below for further information about Kenya visa requirements for your nationality.

Kenya eVisa

Nationals of around 140 countries and territories around the world are able to apply for an eVisa in order to travel to Kenya.

The eVisa for Kenya is a single-entry electronic visa that permit holders to visit the country for a period of stay up to 90 days.

International travelers can get their online visa rapidly thanks to the streamlined and user-friendly system. They must enter the necessary details into a quick form. This includes personal, passport and travel information.

The eVisa is then delivered by email. The entire process is done within a few business days, with many visas approved within 24 hours.

The Kenya eVisa allows eligible citizens to travel to Kenya for purposes including tourism, business, medical treatment, and transit.

An eVisa may be requested up to 80 days before a trip to Kenya. It is advisable to apply through online application at least 7 days before traveling.

The validity of an approved Kenya eVisa is 3 months from the date of issue or until the associated passport expires, whichever comes first.

According to Kenya’s visa policy, eVisa applicants must have a passport from an eligible country with at least 6 months’ validity from the expected arrival date in Kenya. This must be presented at Kenyan border control to gain entry to the country.

Find below a full list of all the nationalities that require an eVisa to visit Kenya.

Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Federated States of Micronesia
Finland
France
Gabon
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Greenland
Guam
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Reunion
Romania
Russian Federation
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam

Kenya eVisa Info

Apply Online

Embassy or Consular Visa Required

Kenya’s immigration rules identify around 160 countries for which an embassy visa is required to travel to Kenya, regardless of the length and purpose of the intended stay in the country.

Furthermore, although visa-exempt and eVisa nationalities do not need to apply for an embassy visa for stays up to 90 days, they are required to obtain an embassy visa for longer stays.

The period of validity of an approved Kenya embassy visa, and how long the applicant may stay in the country, depends on the purpose of the intended stay, whether to study, work, or for other purposes.

The protocol for obtaining an embassy visa for Kenya involves making an appointment at the nearest Kenyan government diplomatic office before the trip.

Once there, it is necessary to submit an application along with a variety of different supporting documents depending on the type of visa required. The applicant’s passport must always have a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of arrival in Kenya.

As it may take several weeks to obtain Kenyan embassy visa approval, travelers are advised to make an appointment well in advance of their intended travel dates.

Browse the list below to discover if you require an embassy visa to travel to Kenya for your nationality.

Afghanistan
Aland Islands
American Samoa
Anguilla
Antarctica
Armenia
Aruba
Bermuda
Bonaire
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Cook Islands
Curacao
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Gibraltar
Guadeloupe
Guernsey
Iraq
Isle of Man
Jersey
Lebanon
Libya
Martinique
Mayotte
Montserrat
New Caledonia
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Palestinian Territory
Pitcairn Islands
Puerto Rico
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Sint Maarten
Somalia
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Syrian Arab Republic
Tajikistan
Tokelau
Turks and Caicos Islands
United States Virgin Islands
Wallis and Futuna
Yemen

Get Embassy Info

Visa Not Required

Kenya’s visa regulations state that a visitor visa is not required for citizens of around 45 countries and territories who wish to visit the country for short stays.

Additionally, nationals of a number of countries can travel to Kenya without a visa if they are diplomatic or service passport holders.

To obtain visa-exempt entry to Kenya, it is necessary to have a valid passport from an eligible country. However, some visa-exempt nationalities can enter Kenya using their National ID card, including citizens of a number of countries in East Africa.

Kenya’s immigration requirements for visa-free citizens state that these nationalities can stay in Kenya for up to 90 days. However, as visa requirements may change over time, travelers are advised to check this page before planning any future trips to the country.

In order to travel to Kenya for periods of stay longer than 90 days, visa-exempt foreign citizens need to obtain a visa from a Kenyan embassy or consulate.

Find below a full list of the visa not required countries for Kenya.

Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Brunei Darussalam
Burundi
Dominica
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gambia
Ghana
Grenada
Jamaica
Kiribati
Lesotho
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mauritius
Namibia
Nauru
Papua New Guinea
Republic of Cyprus
Rwanda
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Swaziland
Tanzania
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Uganda
Vanuatu
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Get Embassy Info

Kenya Visa Policy

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Tourist Visa Policy for Kenya

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