Kenya
General visa requirements for travelling to Kenya. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Tourist visa (EAC Free Movement)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 180 days
- Processing time
- N/A - no application required
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- 6 months
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Must be a citizen of an East African Community (EAC) member state: Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Eligible countries: Burundi, Congo (Democratic Republic of the), Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, United Republic of, Uganda
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
Tourist visa (Caribbean & Pacific Visa-Free Entry)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- N/A - no application required
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- 90 days
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens of specific Caribbean and Pacific island nations including Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brunei, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kiribati, Malaysia, Maldives, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Eligible countries: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kiribati, Malaysia, Maldives, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
Student visa (Student Pass)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- 14-30 business days
- Fee
- $100 USD (KES 5,000)
- Validity
- Duration of study program (renewable)
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Eligibility
-
Purpose of visit
Must be admitted to an accredited educational or training institution in Kenya.
-
Criminal record
Applicants over 18 years must provide a police clearance certificate from their country of origin or from the Kenya Police Service if already resident in Kenya.
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Recent passport-size colour photographs
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Admission letter
Must be notarized: No; Must be original: Yes; Must show program dates: Yes
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Police clearance
Countries required: Country of origin (for applicants over 18 years); Validity months: 6
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Form 30 - Student Pass Application; Form url: https://fns.immigration.go.ke
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Cover letter
Explain the purpose of travel, travel dates, who will pay, and why you will leave before the visa or permission expires.
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Academic transcript
Provide academic records for the course, qualification or training route.
Must be notarized: Yes; Must be translated: No
How to apply
-
Online application
Create an account on the Government of Kenya single sign-in portal (ecitizen.go.ke) to access the eFNS Portal. Complete Form 30 which must be filled, signed, and stamped by the institution's authorized personnel.
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Document gathering
Gather required documents: valid passport, 2 passport photos, admission letter from institution, police clearance certificate (if over 18), certified academic certificates, and a cover letter from the institution addressed to the Director of Immigration Services.
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Fee payment
Pay the student pass fee of KES 5,000 (approximately $100 USD). EAC nationals are exempt from this fee.
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Document submission
Submit the completed application with all supporting documents through the eFNS online portal.
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Processing wait
Wait for the student pass to be processed. Processing typically takes 14-30 business days.
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Visa collection
Once approved, collect the student pass from the Directorate of Immigration Services or receive it electronically.
Work / Immigration visa (Work Permit (Class D - Employment))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- 30-60 business days
- Fee
- KES 20,000 processing + issuance fees
- Validity
- 2 years (renewable)
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Eligibility
-
Employment
Must have a confirmed job offer from a Kenyan employer. The position must require skills or qualifications not readily available among Kenyan citizens.
Required status: Confirmed employment offer from Kenyan employer
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Criminal record
Must provide a police clearance certificate from country of origin. Applicants with serious criminal records may be denied.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 12
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Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Recent passport-size colour photographs
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Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes
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Police clearance
Countries required: Country of origin; Validity months: 6
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Work Permit Application; Form url: https://fns.immigration.go.ke
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Cover letter
Explain the purpose of travel, travel dates, who will pay, and why you will leave before the visa or permission expires.
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Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
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Academic transcript
Provide academic records for the course, qualification or training route.
Must be notarized: Yes; Must be translated: No
How to apply
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Online application
Apply through the eFNS (electronic Foreign Nationals Service) portal. Create an account on the eCitizen platform to access the work permit application.
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Document gathering
Gather required documents: valid passport, passport photos, employment offer letter with salary details, CV, certified academic qualifications, police clearance certificate, and cover letter from employer.
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Fee payment
Pay the work permit processing fee of KES 20,000 via the eCitizen portal. Additional issuance fees apply upon approval.
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Document submission
Submit the completed application with all supporting documents through the eFNS online portal.
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Processing wait
Wait for the work permit to be processed. Processing typically takes 30-60 business days.
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Visa collection
Once approved, collect the work permit from the Directorate of Immigration Services.
Business visa (Business eTA)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
e-Visa
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- 3 business days
- Fee
- $30 USD
- Validity
- 90 days
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Purpose of visit
Must be visiting Kenya for legitimate business purposes such as meetings, conferences, negotiations, or short-term business activities. Not for employment.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
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Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: Recent passport-size colour photograph, white background
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Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Hotel reservation or invitation letter from Kenyan business host; Must cover full stay: Yes
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Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: No; Must show return: Yes
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Invitation letter
Host requirements: Letter from Kenyan business host or company with details of business purpose and duration
How to apply
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Online application
Apply for an eTA through the official Kenya eTA portal. Select business as the purpose of travel.
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Fee payment
Pay the eTA processing fee of $30 USD online.
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Processing wait
Wait for eTA approval, typically within 3 business days.
Transit visa (Transit eTA)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
e-Visa
- Maximum stay
- 3 days
- Processing time
- 3 business days
- Fee
- $20 USD
- Validity
- 72 hours
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Purpose of visit
Use a transit eTA when entering Kenya to continue to another destination within 72 hours. Airside transit passengers who do not leave the airport precincts are exempt.
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: Yes; Must show return: Yes
How to apply
-
Online application
Apply for a Transit eTA through the official Kenya eTA portal. Select 'Transit' as the purpose of travel.
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Fee payment
Pay the transit eTA fee of $20 USD online.
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Processing wait
Wait for approval, typically within 3 business days.
Tourist visa (African Nationals Visa-Free Entry)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 60 days
- Processing time
- N/A - no application required
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- 60 days
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Nationality
African passport holders listed by the Kenya eTA service are exempt for up to 60 days. EAC Partner State passport holders are covered separately for up to 180 days. Travellers not listed must apply for an eTA.
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Health
Yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required depending on country of origin or transit.
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever (if from endemic country)
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
International vaccination card
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic country; Validity months: 120
Tourist visa (Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
e-Visa
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- 3 business days (apply at least 3 days before travel)
- Fee
- $30 USD
- Validity
- 90 days
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Nationality
All foreign nationals who are not exempt from the eTA requirement must obtain an eTA before travel.
-
Health
Yellow fever vaccination certificate required for travelers from endemic countries.
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever (if from endemic country)
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: Recent passport-size colour photograph, white background
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Hotel reservation, or invitation letter if staying with friends/family; Must cover full stay: Yes
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: No; Must show return: Yes
-
International vaccination card
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic country; Validity months: 120
How to apply
-
Online application
Visit the official Kenya eTA portal and create an account. Complete the online application form with personal details, travel information, and passport details.
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Document gathering
Prepare a digital copy of your passport bio-data page, a recent passport-size photo, proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter), and return/onward flight details.
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Fee payment
Pay the eTA processing fee of $30 USD online during the application.
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Processing wait
Wait for eTA approval. Processing typically takes up to 3 business days. Apply at least 3 days before your planned travel date.
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Visa collection
Once approved, the eTA confirmation is sent electronically to your email. Print or save a digital copy to present at the port of entry.