Visa Requirements

Below you will find useful guidelines on visa and other requirements for entry to the Republic of Kenya. We recommend you consult the nearest Kenya Embassy or Consulate for specific up-to-date information on immigration requirements. Kindly take note extended periods of time may be necessary for application and processing of visas. You may contact Conference Secretariat for assistance in obtaining any additional information.

Visa Free Countries

Nationals of the following counries do not require VISA to enter Kenya

Rwanda Swaziland Samoa Belize Sierra Leone St.Lucia
Uganda Botswana Maldives Vanuatu Papua New Guinea
Zambia Seychelles Tonga Grenada St.Kitts and Nevis
Tanzania Lesotho Dominica Trinidad Brunei Darussalam
Burundi Zimbabwe Nauru Kiribati Solomon Islands
Namibia Mauritius Cyprus The Bahamas Malaysia (For less than 30 days stay
Malawi Tobago Jamaica Barbados South Africa (For less than 30 days stay)
Ghana Tuvalu Fiji Island Singapore St. Vincent and the Grenadines

 The following Persons do not require Visas to enter Kenya:

  • 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 do not leave the ship.iii.
  • 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 Organisation Laissez-Passers whilst on official UN Business.
  • Holders of African Union Laissez-Passers whilst on official A.U. business.
  • Holders of African Development Bank Laissez-Passers, whilst on official A.D.B. business.
  • Holders of Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa Laissez-Passers, whilst on official ABEDA business.
  • Holders of International Red Locust Control Organisation for Central and Southern Africa Laissez-Passers, whilst on official I.R.L.C.O. business.
  • Holders of Desert Locust Control Organisation Laissez-Passers, whilst on official D.L.C.O. business.
  • Holders of COMESA Laissez-Passers, whilst on official COMESA business.xi.
  • 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 on official IGAD business.
  • Holders of African Airlines Travel Association (IATA) Laissez- Passers whilst on official business.
  • Holders of Environment Liason Centre International (ELCI) 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 Organisation (ILO) Laissez – Passers whilst on official ILO business.
  • Holders of Preferential Trade Area/Common Market of East & Southern African 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 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.
  • xxiv.            Serving Members of the British Military (are exempted from visa formalities).
  • xxv.            The manifested crew of ships and aircraft passing through or stopping in Kenya for periods not exceeding seven (7) days in the case of air crew and fourteen (14) days for ships crew.xxvi.            Owners of private aircraft stopping over for refueling in Kenya and who do not leave the precincts of the airport.  

The Following countries have concluded Visa abolition Agreements with Kenya

  • Ethiopia
  • San Marino

(a) Nationals of the following countries, classes and categories of persons may be issued with visas on application, and without reference to the Director of Immigration Services, Nairobi, provided that they do not fall under the classes and categories of persons mentioned under Chapter 1, paragraph (E) of the Visa Regulations.

Albania

Algeria;
Andorra
Angola
Antigua & Bermuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Canada

Cape Verde
Central African Rep.
Chadv
Chile
China(People’s Republic)
Columbia
Comoros
Congo,Republic of the (Congo Brazzaville)
Costa Rica
Cote d’ Ivoire/ Ivory Coast
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Denmark `
Djibouti
Dominican Rep
Congo, Democratic Republic of the (Congo Kinshasa)
East Timor
Egypt
El Salvador
Ecuador
Equatorial Guinea
Estonia
Finland
France
Guyana
Gabon
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Greenland
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Haiti
Hong Kong (SAR)MACAU (SAR)
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kampuchea
Kazakhstan
Kirghistan
Korea (South)
Kuwait

Laos
Lativia
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malagasy
Malta
Mauritania
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar (formally Burma)
Nepal
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Reunion
Romania
Russia
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Serbia and Montenegro
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sri LankaSouth Sudan
Sudan
Surinam
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
United States of America
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Yugoslavia-and also Former States of Yugoslavia

(b) Delegates attending regional or international conferences, meetings, workshops, seminars and courses sponsored by regional or international organisations of which Kenya is a member.

Spouses and children accompanying delegates who fulfill the requirements of paragraph (b) above may be issued with visas on application.

(c) Diplomats arriving to take up diplomatic assignments/appointments in Kenya may be issued with gratis entry visas on application and without reference to the Director of Immigration Services, Nairobi provided that:–

  1. Such persons produce documentary evidence of their official assignment /appointment to Kenya.
  2. Wives and children accompanying such diplomats who fulfill the requirements of category 2 (c) above; and provided such persons, their wives and children do not fall under Section 33 (1) and (2) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011.

(d) Diplomats and government officials coming to Kenya to conduct official business or transiting through Kenya may be issued with entry/transit visas on application and without reference to the Director of Immigration Services, Nairobi,  provided that:

  1. Such persons produce documentary evidence of the nature of their official business or transit.
  2. Spouses and children accompanying such diplomats and government officials who fulfill the requirements of category 2 (d) above and provided such persons, their spouses and children do not fall under Section 33 (1) and (2) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011.

Note: Diplomats and government officials on private visits to Kenya and who are nationals of countries that require referred visas, shall have their visa applications referred to the Director of Immigration Officer, Nairobi, for approval, in the usual manner.

Nationals of Countries, Classes and Categories Of Persons Who Require Referred Visas.

Afghanistan Iraq Palestine
Armenia Kosovo Senegal
Azerbaijan Lebanon Somali
Cameroon Libya Syria
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea    (Formerly N. Korea) Mali Tajikistan
Eritrea    

 

b) Applicants against whom there is some local objections or doubt in the country where the application is made. c) Stateless persons or persons not holding valid passports or other travel documents issued by their own country of nationality, including recognized refugee holders of the United Nations Refugee Travel Documents.

d) Prohibited immigrants as enumerated under Section 33 (1) and (2) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act,2011 .  

N.B.

Where reference to the Director of Immigration Services, Nairobi, is necessary before the issue of a visa, the completed application forms in duplicate with the required documents of the applicant as stipulated in the guidelines mentioned shall be forwarded to the Director of Immigration Services, Nairobi, for approval in the usual manner to reach him at least one month prior to the proposed date of the applicant’s departure to Kenya.

Address for Communication

All inquiries, where necessary, shall be made to:

The Director of Immigration Services
P. O. Box 30191
Nyayo House
NAIROBI
Telephone:  000 254- 20-2222022,
Telegraphic address: “PRINCIM”
Telex: 25396 PRINCIM
Fax No. 000 254- 20-2220731
E-MAIL: Visa Section:  visa@immigration.go.ke
or visit the WEBSITE 

 

Application of New Kenyan VISA

Requirements:

Please note that the possession of a Kenyan Visa is not the final authority to enter Kenya. The immigration officer at the port of entry may deny entry if the visitor is unable to fulfill the immigration requirements and if the entry and presence of such a person in Kenya would be contrary to national interests, even if such a person is in possession of a valid visa for Kenya.

Visa Requirements

  1. A Valid Passport ( Not photocopy ) with at least 2 unused pages to be submitted along with the application form. Passport will be mailed back once your Visa has been processed.
  2. Completed (Filled in) Application Form duly signed.
  3. Copy of flight Itinerary/Letter from travel agent on company letterhead confirming booking.
  4. Two Passport size photos (NB: Computer generated pictures are not acceptable)
  5. Visa Fees: (Money order/Cashier’s Cheque Only Payable to The Kenya Consulate. Do not staple check/money order onto document)
    • US$50.00 For Single Entry (Tourist/Visitor/Business),
    • US$100.00 For Multiple Entries (Tourist/Visitor/Business),
    • US$20.00 For Single Transit,
    • Expedited Service available at an extra $20.00

PLEASE NOTE: ALL CLIENTS ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT ONLY THE EXACT AMOUNT OF THE OFFICIAL FEE FOR THE SERVICE REQUIRED IN THE FORM OF MONEY ORDER OR CASHIERS CHEQUE. NO CASH OR PERSONAL CHEQUES ARE ACCEPTED.

VISA DESCRIPTIONS:

  1. Single Entry……………………………. Allows you to enter into Kenya once
  2. Transit……………….. Allows a short stop over (up to 24 hours) in Kenya
  3. Multiple Entry……………………..Allows multiple times entry into Kenya
  4. No Visa required for direct Transit (not leaving the airport)

NB: A single entry Visa would allow re-entry to Kenya from any of the following East African Countries (Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda)

*Business Visas allow you to attend conferences, workshops, seminars or discussions. It does not mean that the holder of a business visa is allowed to work in Kenya. Those who wish to conduct temporary business in Kenya lasting up to three months require authorization from The Director of Immigration Services in Nairobi (P.O. Box 30191, Nairobi Kenya) in form of Special Pass.

  1. A Visa is required prior to entry into Kenya.
  2. Children below 16 years of age do require a visa to enter Kenya.
  3. Visas are usually valid for six months from the issuance date
  4. Visas are issued within 5 (Five) business days from date of receipt of the application being sent by mail and courier services.
  5. A self-addressed stamped return courier envelope for Fedex, Express Mail, Certified Mail or Priority Mail with delivery confirmation (NB: UPS, Metered stamps and Regular mail are not acceptable).
  6. Please ensure that all your paperwork is well organised ( i.e photo stapled at the top left side of Application form, while your itinerary and application form are together)

Visa applications without complete requirements will not be processed. Please ensure all the requirements are met.

For more information on visa application and visa categories based on nationalities, please visit www.immigration.go.ke This website provides comprehensive details on all immigration services provided by the Department of Immigration of Kenya in Nairobi including but not limited to work permit, passes, citizenship, other immigration services and frequently asked questions (F.A.Qs)

Visa applicants who intend to undertake an internship/ placement and volunteer work in Kenya are further required to liaise with their host organizations/ companies in Kenya to make application for the appropriate authorization Prior to their engagement in the respective attachments to the

Director of Immigration Services
P.O. Box 30191, Nairobi.
Telephone +254-222022

NB: Any incomplete application will be returned.

To avoid delays in processing your application please ensure that you have read all the requirements above. http://www.mfa.go.ke/?q=node/22

Visa Requirements

  1. Valid Travel Document – To be submitted along with application
  2. Completed (Filled in) Application Form duly signed
  3. Two Passport size photos (NB: Computer generated pictures are not acceptable)
  4. A letter of Visa request from applicant
  5. An invitation letter from the host (Person in Kenya inviting the applicant)
  6. A copy of your permanent residence card. (Green Card)
  7. Two certified cheques or Money Orders (Payable to Kenya Embassy)
    • US$10.00(non refundable) for Visa Processing fee
    • US$50.00(refundable ONLY when not granted) For Visa Application fee for Single Entry into Kenya
  8. A pre-paid self addressed return envelope

http://www.mfa.go.ke/?q=node/24