How To Get Visa For Kenya

How to Apply for a Kenya Visa

To apply for a Kenya visa, travellers can choose between traditional visa application methods through Kenyan embassies or consulates in their home countries or opt for the convenient online application process via the Kenya Electronic Visa (E Visa) system. The online application process offers a quicker and more straightforward way to obtain a visa for Kenya, eliminating the need for in-person visits to embassies or consulates.

Kenya Visa Types

• Tourist Visa: Designed for individuals traveling to Kenya for leisure, sightseeing, or visiting friends and family. Valid for a single entry and typically allows stays of up to 90 days.
• Business Visa: Intended for travelers engaging in business-related activities such as meetings, conferences, or trade negotiations. Valid for a single entry or multiple entries, with varying durations depending on the specific business purpose.
• Transit Visa: For travelers passing through Kenya en route to another destination. Valid for a short duration, usually up to 72 hours, and permits transit through Kenyan territory without engaging in any other activities.
• Diplomatic Visa: Issued to government officials, diplomats, or individuals representing their countries on official missions to Kenya. Provides special privileges and exemptions from certain requirements for diplomatic personnel.

Kenya Electronic Visa (E Visa)

The Kenya Electronic Visa (E Visa) system allows travellers to apply for and obtain a visa online without the need for physical paperwork or in-person visits to embassies or consulates. The E Visa is available for tourism, business, and transit purposes and is valid for a single entry into Kenya for a specified period.

Key Information About The Kenyan Online Visa

The East African Visa: The East African visa is only recognized by the Kenyan, Uganda, and Rwandan governments. You can't enter any other African country that is not part of the visa agreement. Also, the total number of days you are allowed to stay combined if you choose to visit two or all three countries is 90 days. The days start counting from the first day you set your foot in Kenya before traveling to the others. Lastly, the passport you travel with must remain valid throughout your trip and must be the same passport used for the application.

Application Fee: There is an application fee attached to the process which must be paid with a credit or debit card.  This fee is not a guarantee that the visa will be issued if you don't meet the conditions.

Non-Convertible Visa: You should know that this visa is non-convertible once it is approved. For instance, if you apply for a single-entry visa and it is approved, you can't change it to a multiple-entry visa; the only way to change your visa is to apply for a new one. When you do that the old visa becomes invalid.

Yellow Fever Vaccination: Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory depending on your region. Visitors who have taken the vaccine must provide proof by showing a yellow fever Vaccination certificate.  Visitors who should be vaccinated but have not may get the shot at the airport but must pay for it.

Extension: An e visa can be extended under two conditions. Firstly, the applicant must apply for it before their current visa expires.  Secondly, they must submit their application to the nearest immigration office in the city where they reside explaining why they need the extension. A few will also be charged for the application and the officer in charge will decide on the number of days or weeks to extend their stay.

Not for Work or Study: The Kenyan e visa is not for work or study but for tourism, business and transit. Attempting to use it for any other purpose will be a violation. Violators will be fined and deported. Worse offenders will receive a travel ban for a period of time depending on the severity of their offense.

What Do You Need for Your Visa Application

• A scanned coloured copy of their biographical page within their current, valid passport
• Passport-style photographs for Kenya, to be attached to the eVisa.
• You may be required to show evidence of your accommodation reservations, a Kenya itinerary and a return air ticket for a tourist visa. 
• For a business visa, you must establish a business invitation or valid company registration letter and return an air ticket.
• For a family visa, you may be required to show a letter of invitation from your relative, a passport or other identity documents from your host in Kenya, and a return air ticket.  
• Suppose you are traveling from a country where Yellow Fever is a health risk. In that case, you must show your Yellow Fever certificate to border officials upon arrival in Kenya to prove your vaccination status. 
• You might be required to complete a Kenyan Travelers Health Surveillance form as a result of COVID-19 regulations for air travellers. 

How Much Does a Kenya E Visa Cost

The cost of a Kenya E Visa varies depending on the type of visa and the duration of stay. Generally, the fees range from $51 to $101 for most visa categories. Additional service fees may apply if using a third-party visa processing service or opting for expedited processing.

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