How do I apply for a Kenya visa?

Apply online at immigration.ecitizen.go.ke. You will need a valid passport (at least 6 months validity beyond your departure date), a passport-format photo, proof of accommodation or invitation, return/onward travel proof, and payment of USD 50 by card. Processing usually takes 3–7 working days. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.

How much is a Kenya visa?

Single entry eVisa: USD 50 (as of 2026). East African Tourist Visa (Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda): USD 100. The fees are payable online by card. There is no visa on arrival — all visitors who require a visa must apply in advance.

Which countries are visa-free for Kenya?

East African Community member nationals (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DRC as of recent integration) generally enter visa-free. Some other African Union member states have bilateral visa-free arrangements. Check the current list at immigration.ecitizen.go.ke as the list updates periodically.

Kenya Visa Guide: eVisa Application and Entry Requirements

Kenya requires advance visa application for most nationalities. There is no visa on arrival — the eVisa must be approved before you board your flight. This guide covers the application process, fees, and common questions.

Do I Need a Kenya Visa?

eVisa required (most nationalities, including US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, India, and most others): Apply online before travel.

Visa-free entry: East African Community nationals (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DRC) and select other countries under bilateral agreements. Check the full current list at immigration.ecitizen.go.ke — the exempt list updates periodically.

Diplomatic/official passport holders: Different rules apply. Check with your country’s Kenyan embassy.

Applying for the Kenya eVisa

Official website: immigration.ecitizen.go.ke (the only official site — be cautious of third-party “visa services” that charge additional fees for the same process)

Step-by-step:

Create an account at immigration.ecitizen.go.ke
Click “Apply for eVisa” and select your visa category
Fill in personal details, travel dates, and accommodation in Kenya
Upload: passport biodata page (scan), passport-format photo, onward/return flight proof
Pay USD 50 by debit or credit card
Receive confirmation email; monitor your application status
Approval typically arrives by email within 3–7 working days
Print or download your approval letter — carry it to the airport and present at immigration

Documents needed:

Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your departure date, with at least 2 blank pages)
Passport-format photograph (JPEG, recent)
Flight booking confirmation (return or onward)
Hotel/accommodation booking confirmation or letter of invitation from Kenyan host
Travel insurance details (increasingly requested)

Visa Types and Fees (2026)

Visa Type	Fee	Duration	Notes
Single Entry eVisa	USD 50	90 days from entry	Most visitors
East African Tourist Visa	USD 100	90 days	Covers Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda — must exit one country before re-entering another
Transit Visa	USD 20	72 hours	For airport transits requiring immigration clearance

Fees are as of 2026. Check immigration.ecitizen.go.ke for current rates.

East African Tourist Visa

If your itinerary includes both Kenya and Uganda or Rwanda, the East African Tourist Visa is more economical than individual country visas.

Coverage: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda (Tanzania has not joined this scheme — Tanzania requires its own visa)

Rules:

Must be applied for online at ecitizen.go.ke
Can enter through any participating country’s main border
Once you exit a participating country and re-enter, you need a new visa
Not a multiple-entry visa — each country crossing counts as a new entry

Cost: USD 100 as of 2026 (vs. three individual single-entry visas at USD 50+ each).

Processing Time

Standard processing: 3–7 working days. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel to allow for delays.

No expedite option is officially available — the system processes in the order received. If your travel is urgent, apply immediately and monitor the application portal.

Common Issues and Solutions

Application stuck in “processing”: Normal for up to 7 working days. Check your spam folder for approval email. If more than 10 working days without update, contact the Department of Immigration via their website’s contact form.

Passport details mismatch: Ensure your name is entered exactly as it appears in your passport (including middle names if they appear in the passport).

Photo rejection: The photo must be passport-format: plain white background, face centred, no glasses, recent (within 6 months).

Payment failure: Ensure your bank hasn’t blocked international transactions. Have a second card as backup.

Arriving in Kenya

At JKIA immigration:

Join the non-resident (foreign national) queue
Present your eVisa approval letter and passport
Complete the immigration form (may be digital or paper)
Biometrics (fingerprints) are collected on entry
Your passport is stamped with the entry date and permitted stay duration

Yellow fever certificate: If arriving from a yellow fever-endemic country, the health check counter before immigration will inspect your certificate. Without it, you may be vaccinated on the spot (a charge applies) or denied entry.

Visa Extensions

If you wish to stay beyond your initial 90-day permit, apply for an extension at the Department of Immigration in Nairobi (Upper Hill area) or through the online portal at immigration.ecitizen.go.ke. Extensions are not guaranteed and are considered case-by-case. Most tourists should not need an extension for a typical trip.

Overstaying Your Visa

Overstaying is a criminal offence in Kenya. Penalties include fines, deportation, and a potential entry ban. If you expect to exceed your permitted stay, apply for an extension before your original permit expires.