Immigration

IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS

IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS

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 3 months 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.

https://dis.ecitizen.go.ke/verify

Application steps

In order to apply for an eVisa, visitors should:

Click on Create an account.

Click on eVisa Application
Fill Application form
Pay Using Visa Card, MasterCard and other debit or credit cards.
Await approval then download and print the eVisa from your eVisa account.
Present your printed eVisa to the immigration officer at the port of entry.

Points to note

Visa processing fee is non refundable.
Incomplete applications will be rejected.
The possession of an eVisa is not the final Authority to enter The Republic of Kenya.
Engaging in any form of business or employment without a requisite permit or pass is an offence.
A visa is required prior to entry into The Republic of Kenya.
The e-Visa printout must be presented at the port of entry.
It should take at least 2 working days to get your eVisa.
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.

Types of visas and the fee charged

Single entry visa	$ 51
Transit visa	$ 21
Courtesy Visa	Gratis
Multiple Entry Visa [6 months or 1 year]	$ 101
Referred Visa	$ 51
East Africa Tourist Visa	$ 101

How to Sign up for the U.S. Traveler Enrollment Program

The registration of U.S. citizens who travel abroad is now part of the Kenyan electronic visa application. When requesting the visa online, U.S. nationals are given the option to sign up for the program.

Once the visa application has been processed, the traveler’s information is communicated to the U.S. Department of State and to the relevant embassy or consulate in Kenya. No further action is required of the traveler.

Do I need to sign up with the U.S. Department of State traveler enrollment program?

No, the embassy registration service is not mandatory and it is possible to request a visa for Kenya online from the United States without enrolling in the program. Embassy registration is optional for Canadian citizens as well.

Visa Section Contacts

Visa inquiries;

+254 202 222 022

Email: evisa@immigration.go.ke

To apply: Kenya Visa is only available online through evisa.go.ke

New Embassy Travel Service Registration for Tourists

American and Canadian citizens can now sign up for the Embassy Service Registration when requesting their Kenyan visa online. The new service is hoped to offer a smoother and safer experience abroad to North American travelers who can automatically notify the embassy closest to them in Kenya of their arrival.

Kenya is a safe destination for tourists. However, by notifying the government when traveling to Kenya, visitors can stay up to date with the latest developments and security announcements and facilitate communications with their home country in case of emergency.

What Is the Embassy Travel Service Registration for Kenya?

The new safe traveler enrollment program is a faster and easier way to register with the local embassy before leaving one’s home country for Kenya.

By signing up for safe traveler enrollment, visitors notify the government when they travel to Kenya. Their nearest embassy or consulate in Kenya includes them in the list of citizens on Kenyan soil and sends them the latest security updates and news.

At the same time, the embassy or consulate can reach the traveler more easily if needed since they have their updated contact information.

The new service is part of the Kenyan electronic visa application online. The process is therefore now automatic and the visitor only has to give their consent, no need to visit the U.S. or Canadian embassy in Kenya in person to sign up.

Who can sign up for the safe traveler enrollment program?

The service is intended for both short-term visitors and American and Canadian citizens living in Kenya — long-term residents also receive information about voting and legal obligations (like taxes) in Kenya.

Currently, the electronic embassy registration service is available to Canadian and U.S. citizens only but the list may be expanded in the future.

Advantages of Registering with the Embassy’s Travel Service when Visiting Kenya

The Kenya online visa enrollment with the embassy is intended first and foremost to keep U.S. and Canadian citizens safe while abroad.

Here are some of the advantages of signing up with the embassy registration program:

Participants receive the latest security information and advice for Kenya from their government
Visitors also get updated travel advisory for the whole national territory as well as specific areas of interest so that they can make informed travel decisions
The embassy/consulate has the traveler’s updated contact information to use in case of emergency in Kenya or back home
Friends and family members will be able to get in touch with the traveler more easily in case of emergency

What will the embassy notify me of while in Kenya?

Kenya is an increasingly more popular destination for international travel. Foreign tourists often visit the country’s natural attractions and stay in the wilderness for days or weeks, without being able to watch or listen to the news.

The embassy/consulate will let them know directly of the following events (this is not an exhaustive list):

Natural disasters
Demonstrations and political unrest
Major public health concerns
Criminal activity to be aware of
Family emergencies

East Africa Tourist Visa

The Governments of the Republic of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a Single Tourism Visa with effect from 1st January, 2014.

Below are application procedures and requirements of the Visa.

Eligible Person:

A foreigner who wants to visit simultaneously the Republic Kenya Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Uganda for tourism.
An East Africa Tourist Visa is multiple entries visa and shall be valid for 90 days.
Applications for this visa shall be lodged at any of the diplomatic representation of the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Uganda, at the Immigration Offices of the respective countries or online where applicable.

Dependents: All persons must apply in their own right.

Travel document: Any genuine acceptable travel document valid not less than 6

months.

Visa Fees: $ 101

Validity of Visa: 90 days

Single or Multiple Entry: Multiple entry

The holder of the East Africa Tourist Visa shall enter from the country that issued the visa and move within the two other countries without applying for another visa or paying for another visa fee.

The holder shall also be allowed to move out of the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Uganda; and return without having to pay for another visa. This will only be applicable in the period of 90 days.

Work or No Work: Work is not permitted

Visa Extension: An East Africa Tourism Visa shall not be extended.

Requirements:

Passport (valid at least six months, 3 continuous blank pages)
One clear colored passport size photo with white background recently taken without glasses, caps and surf;
Hotel booking confirmation
E-tickets/ flight confirmation schedule prepared by travel agents or airline companies, indicating; date, place of departure, arrival, and flight number (whole schedule of going and returning)
NB. Applicants from countries that are on referral shall apply for EATV from mission whose Government has referral requirements.

Referred Visa

The requirements for this category of visas are as follows:

Valid passport/travel document with a sufficient number of unused pages for endorsements. Passport/travel document must be valid for at least six months after return.
A recent passport-size photographs in color
Fees $51
A non-refundable processing fee of $ 11
Proof of immigration status Japan e.g. alien Registration card.
Invitation letter from the host or organization to be visited in Kenya; or recommendation letter from the employer or the school (in the case of students)
Letter from the applicant stating the reasons for visit
Copy of host’s Kenyan ID/ passport
Host’s residential/physical address, postal address, and mobile phone
Proof of applicant’s employment (copy of contract or staff identification card) where applicable
Copy of registration or incorporation certificate of the host company/organization where applicable

Applications for referred visas require more time to process. Apply at least four weeks prior to the date of travel. In case the visa is approved (which is not guaranteed), the applicant proceeds for payment of $51 being Single Entry Visa Fees through online.

Multiple Entry Visa

Intended for regular visitors, particularly business people, who enter Kenya several times a year. Valid for 6 months or one year. The applications are referred to the Director of Immigration Services, Nairobi, for approval. The processing takes 1-2 weeks includes approval by Immigration HQs in Nairobi.

[Please note: visitors who travel to Tanzania and/or Uganda from Kenya, and wish to re-enter Kenya a second time (without leaving the territory of the three countries), must apply for a single entry visa (tourist/business) which will enable re-entry without obtaining another entry visa]

Requirements for a Multiple Entry Visa:

Passport (valid at least six months, 3 continuous blank pages)
A recent passport-size photographs in color
Fees $101
A non-refundable processing fee of $ 11
Letter from the company/employer, stating the reason why several visits to Kenya are required and indicating whether the visa is to be valid for 6 months or for one year.
Invitation Letter from the Host or Organization to be visited in Kenya; or recommendation letter from the employer or the school (in the case of students); stating the reasons for the visit.
Letter from the applicant
Proof of applicant’s employment (copy of contract or staff identification card)
Copy of registration or incorporation certificate for the host company/organization
Three recent single journey visas or multiple journey visa

When the visa is approved, the applicant proceeds for payment of $101 being Multiple Entry Visa Fees through online.

Courtesy Visa

Diplomatic, official, service and courtesy visa. Gratis for official duties on presentation of diplomatic, official or service passports from the relevant organisations and official communication / note verbal.

Transit Visa

Transit Visa allows you to stay for 72 hours only for transit purpose. Transit visa is a single use visa. There is no need to have transit visa if you are inside of international transit area, arrive at Jomo Kenyatta Airport by international flight and depart with international flight.

Requirements for a Transit Visa:

Passport (valid at least six months, 3 continuous blank pages)
A recent passport-size photograph in color
Itinerary/ flight schedule prepared by travel agents or airline companies, indicating; date, place of departure, arrival, and flight number (from departure to return to the country of the residence)
Fees $ 21

Requirements for a Single Entry Visa

Passport (valid at least six months, 3 continuous blank pages)
A recent passport-size photograph in color
Fees $ 51
Attachments depending on the purpose of visit as follows;

For Tourists

Return air ticket prepared by travel agents or airline companies, indicating; date, place of departure, arrival, and flight number (from departure to return to the country of the residence)
Hotel booking confirmation

For Business Visits

Invitation Letter from company / Invitation letter for business visits
Copy of company ID card for the signer of the invitation letter
Copy of registration or incorporation certificate of the company

For Family visits

Invitation Letter from family or friends.
Identity card / Passport / Alien card / Entry permit of the host.
Return air ticket prepared by travel agents or airline companies, indicating; date, place of departure, arrival, and flight number (from departure to return to the country of the residence)

VISA CATEGORIES

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

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

Children under category 2 and are aged below sixteen years.
All persons whose passports are endorsed with valid Kenya re-entry passes or any other written authority in lieu of a re-entry pass.
All passengers arriving and leaving by the same ship, and who don’t leave the ship.
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.
Holders of United Nations Organization Laissez-Passers whilst on official UN Business.
Holders of African Union Laissez-Passers whilst on official UN business.
Holders of African Development Bank Laissez-Passers whilst on official ADB business.
Holders of Arab Bank for Economic Development in Laissez-Passers whilst on official ABEDA business.
Holders of International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa Laissez-Passers whilst on official I.R.I.C.O. business.
Holders of Desert Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa Laissez-Passers whilst on official D.I.C.O. business.
Holders of COMESA Laissez-Passers whilst on official COMESA business.
Holders of International Monetary Fund and World Bank Laissez-Passers whilst on official IMF/World Bank business.
Holders of Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Laissez-Passers whilst official IGAD business.
Holders of African Airlines Travel Association (IATA) Laissez-Passers whilst on official business.
Holders of Environment Liaison Centre International Laissez-Passers whilst on official ELCI business.
Holders of Union of Radio, Television Network of Africa (URTNA) Laissez-Passers whilst on official URTNA business.
Holders of International Labour Organization (ILO) Laissez-Passers whilst on official ILO business.
Holders of Preferential Trade Area/Common Market of East & Southern Africa bank Laissez-Passers whilst on official PTA/COMESA business.
Holders of European Union Laissez-Passers whilst on official European Union Business.
Holders of CIP (International Potato Centre) Laissez-Passers whilst on official CIP business.
Holders of African Reinsurance Corporation (ARC) Laissez-Passers whilst on official ARC business.
Holders of African Housing Fund (AHF) Laissez-Passers whilst on official AHF business.
Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports from The Islamic Republic of Iran for a period not exceeding (30) days stay.
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.
Holders of Diplomatic, Official, or Service Passports from the Federal Republic of Brazil for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days.
Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports from The People's Republic of China for a period not exceeding (30) days stay.
Holders of Diplomatic Passports from Federal Republic of Nigeria for a period not exceeding (30) days stay.
Holders of Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports from Republic of Cuba for a period not exceeding (90) days stay.
Holders of Diplomatic Passports from the State of Israel for a period not exceeding (90) days stay.
Holders of Diplomatic Passports from the Republic of India for a period not exceeding (90) days stay.
Serving Members of the British Military (are exempted from visa formalities).
The manifested crew of ships and air crafts 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.
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 48 hours

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

N.B. Children under the age of 16 years and accompanying their parents are exempted from payment of visa fees and are not expected to make visa application. Only their valid travel documents will be required at the point of entry.

Single Entry Visa allows you to enter Kenya once for sightseeing and short term business purposes. The Visa is valid for three months and allows a re-entry to Kenya from Tanzania and Uganda.

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FAQ

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