Kenya Visa - Requirements

My page about Kenya visa requirements. Citizens from most countries (including Americans, Canadians, Europeans, Australians and New Zealanders) now need to get a visa to enter Kenya. For exceptions, see below. Regular visas cost US$ 50 or 35 Pounds sterling, and are valid for 3 months.



The easiest way to obtain a Kenya visa is to get one after arrival at the airport (or any other entry point in Kenya) – for exemptions, see again below. There will be a waiting queue before the visa office at the aiport, but generally it doesn’t take too long.

You also need a passport that’s valid at least 3 months beyond the day of entering Kenya, and one blank page in it.

Airport Visa

At the airport visa office, you’ll have to pay in American dollars or British pounds, so it’s best to carry them with you. If you have any other currencies, you’ll first have to change them into Kenyan shillings and then into US dollars or British pounds again. You’ll typically have to show a return ticket as well.

Alternatively, you can also get a visa at the Kenyan mission in your country, either in person or through the mail. This involves more paperwork and takes some time, so you’ll have to request the visa well in advance.

If you’re also traveling to Tanzania and/or Uganda, your Kenya visa will also be valid for entering those countries, and entering Kenya again on your trip back. However, check the latest visa requirements at the foreign missions if you plan to do this.

Nationalities that need to have a visa BEFORE entering Kenya:

Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Senegal, Somali, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Yemen.

Nationalities that do NOT need a visa to enter Kenya:

Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei-Darussalam, Cyprus, Dominica, Ethiopia, Fiji Islands, Gambia, The, Ghana, Grenada, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Visa Extensions

You can renew your visa for another 3 months at the immigration offices in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Lamu and Malindi – although immigration officials in the last 3 cities may sometimes refer you back to the offices in Nairobi and Mombasa again. So the total time you can stay in Kenya on a tourist visum is 6 months.

A visa extension costs KSH 2200 and needs 2 photographs from you. Don’t try to extend your stay a few days after expiration of your visa. There have been a few cases of visitors having to spend the night behind bars because of this.

Disclaimer: Situation above as at the time of research (May 2008).

Related Pages:

Kenya Embassies Around The World
Foreign Embassies in Kenya

Kenya Customs

Kenya Police

Kenya Travel Practicalities

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