Visa policy and requirements in Kenya – Types of visas, visas for visitors to Kenya with details of exempted nationalities and those required in advance.
Visa policy in Kenya.
The Visa requirements and policy in Kenya are basically universal. Visas are required for most nationals and cost $50. A visa can be obtained on entry, however, we recommend one be obtained before arrival to avoid airport lengthy queues. Visa application forms are available online. A visa is required by all visitors travelling to Kenya with the exception of those holding a re-entry pass to Kenya and citizens of Ethiopia, San Marino, Turkey and Uruguay. Note that the reciprocal visa abolition agreements with Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Spain and the Republic of Ireland no longer apply and nationals of these countries now require a visa.
Kenya visa requirements.
The Visa requirements and policy in Kenya need a valid passport with a sufficient number of unused pages for endorsements abroad. The passport must be signed and valid for at least six months. Visa application form duly completed and signed by the applicant. Two recent passport size photographs are attached to the application form. Valid round trip ticket or letter from your travel agent certifying that the applicant holds prepaid arrangements. A self-addressed stamped envelope for express mail, courier, registered mail, etc., if the visa is urgently required. Meter stamps are not acceptable. Home and work telephone numbers. Please fill out the form correctly and enclose the photographs and payments to avoid delay and disappointment.
Visa application to Kenya goes online. All applications will be made via
www.ecitizen.go.ke
How to apply.
- Click register on www.ecitizen.go.ke.
- Select Register as a Visitor.
- Once Logged in, Select Department of Immigration services.
- Select submit Application.
- Select Kenyan Visa.
- Select the type of Visa and read the instructions carefully.
- Fill in the application form.
- Pay using Visa card, Mastercard and other debit cards.
- Await approval via email, then download and print the eVisa from your
eCitizen account. - Present your printed eVisa to the immigration officer at the port of entry.
Single Entry Visa:
- Issued for citizens who require a visa to enter Kenya for business, tourism or medical reasons.
- A single entry visa is valid for 3 months before you travel to Kenya.
- At the immigration control at the port of entry, you may be issued with a stay period not exceeding 90 days.
- This period may be renewed for a further 90 days at the immigration headquarters in Nairobi.
- Kindly note that a visitor may be allowed to stay in Kenya for a period of 6months, but not more.
The different types of Evisa
Single Entry Visa
Issued for single entry to citizens who need a visa to enter Kenya either for business, tourism or health reasons.
Business Visits
1. Invitation Letters from company / Invitation letter for business visits
2. Copies of registration of the company
Family visits
3. Invitation Letters from family.
4. Identity card / Passport / Alien card / Entry permit of the host.
Tourists
5. Travel itinerary (Details about places to visit if going as a tourist).
6. Hotel bookings.
Identity Documents
1. Clear Passport biodata page.
2. A clear photograph.
Transit Visa
Issued to travellers transiting through Kenya to other destinations for a period not exceeding 72 hours. Travellers transiting to Kenya without leaving the airport do not need to apply for Transit visas.
1. Valid travel document not less than six months.
2. At least One Blank page in the holder’s passport.
3. An onward ticket
Courtesy Visa
The courtesy visa is issued to Diplomatic, Official and Service passport holders travelling to Kenya on official duties, or transiting through Kenya to a third country for official business and is free of charge.
1. Valid travel document not less than six months.
2. Must be a holder of service, official and diplomatic passport
3. Must hold an official letter from the country of origin/ organization/ foreign affairs.
4. At least One Blank page in the holder’s passport.
5. Spouses and children accompanying Diplomatic, Service or Official passport holders on duty, but travelling on ordinary passports do not qualify for courtesy visa whether on transit, business or holiday.
6. An onward ticket or a boarding pass for passengers on transit.
7. 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.
1. Please note that children below the age of 16 yrs are not charged visa fees.
2. The reduced visa fees were affected on 1st March 2009, as a directive from the ministry of tourism on attracting more tourists into the country.
3. Travellers can pay in – US dollars, British pounds, Euro or Swiss Franc
Departure Tax:
Departure tax is payable on departure from the International airports and is equivalent to $40 per person. We have two major entry points to Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport. Mombasa is the main port of entry by water.
Hand Luggage:
The following may be carried in your hand luggage only if they are stored in containers up to 100 ml in size and placed in a transparent resealable plastic bag and thereafter screened separately from other items carried in the hand luggage. The capacity of the transparent plastic bag must not be greater than 1 litre.
Liquids gels and aerosols include:
{Water and other drinks, syrups, creams, lotions and oils. Perfumes and spray gels including hair and shower gels. Pastes including Vaseline and eye-shadow. Pressurized containers such as shaving foam and deodorants.Other items with similar consistency.}
The following items are allowed in hand luggage:
{a} Medicine needed during the flight.
{b} Baby’s food needed during the flight.
You may buy any liquids beyond the security checkpoints including duty-free or in-flight items. Items purchased must be packed in security tamper-evident bags and accompanied by proof of purchase when presenting them at the security checkpoint.
Visa exemption
Visitors to Kenya require a visa unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries or can receive a visa on arrival. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
East African Tourist Visa is also available, which is valid for Rwanda and Uganda and vice versa if first used in a country that issued the visa
As per Visa requirements and policy in Kenya, citizens of all other countries that do not require a prior visa can obtain one on arrival except for the following 43 countries which do not require a visa to visit Kenya for up to 90 days:
Exempted Visa regions.
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Visa required in advance
Visa requirements and policy in Kenya states that citizens of the following countries and territories require a visa in advance to visit Kenya:
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Visa requirements and policy in Kenya dictates that visitors who have recently been to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are refused entry due to the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa even if holding a visa. Passengers arriving and departing from Kenya MUST hold a varied Covid-19 free certificate.
Incoming travelers are required to have a QR code for a completed Travelers Health Surveillance Form which they can access from this website https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/. When they register on the website, the code is sent to their email.
Visa on arrival
All other nationalities may obtain a visa on arrival.
For online support E-mail: info@maraexpeditions.co.ke
info@maraexpeditions.com maraexpeditions15@gmail.com