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Types Of Kenya Visas: Kenya Visa Requirements and Costs

Jun 21, 2022

11 min read

The Republic of Kenya is known for its amazing safari trips, the Big Five, and the Great Wildebeest Migration. Believe me, when I say there's nothing like seeing the Big Five up close in their natural environment and the sunset safari rides are absolutely beautiful. You can experience all this with a Kenya visa. But, of course, there's always the question, "Which visa should I apply for." I'll take you through all the types of Kenya visas so you'll know exactly which one you should apply for.

What Is The Types Of Kenya Visas?

There are different types of visas you can apply for. It all depends on your purpose of travel and how long you want to stay in Kenya. I'll discuss each visa in length, so you know exactly which visa you must apply for.

You can apply for each visa online, also known as a Kenya eVisa (electronic visa).

What Is A Single Entry Visa?

If you're from a country that needs a Kenya visa and only wants to enter Kenya once for business, tourism, or medical treatment, this visa is for you. This visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

What Are The Entry Requirements For A Single Entry Visa?

To apply for Single Entry Visa For Kenya, you must meet the entry requirements. The entry requirements are very straightforward. All you need is a valid passport (valid for at least six months) and a return flight ticket.

How Much Does A Single Entry Visa Cost?

All evisa applications attract a 1 USD service charge and charge a card handling fee. Card handling fees will be surcharged for Debit cards, Credit cards, VISA Card, and Mastercard. For example, the visa fees for a Kenya Single Entry Visa are USD 51.

Can I Renew My Single Entry Visa For Kenya?

You can extend your stay period a further 90 days through The Department of Immigration Services website. Go on the website, click "Services Offered," and then you'll see the first thing on the website is a visa extension for the Single Entry Visa for Kenya. After that you just need to fill out another application form.

What Are The Required documents For A Single Entry Visa?

You must provide certain travel documents through the Single Entry Kenya visa application process. It could slow down the application process if you forget to attach these documents or are wrong. The documents you need depend on your purpose of travel:

For Business Visits

If your purpose of visit is for business, then you need to gather the following documents:

  • An invitation letter from the company.
  • A valid passport.
  • Passport-size photo.
  • Copies of registration of the company.
  • Return flight ticket or onward flight ticket.

For Family Visits

If you want to visit your family, you must gather certain documents for your application. You'll need the following documents:

  • A valid passport.
  • Passport-size photo.
  • Invitation letter from your family.
  • Return flight ticket.

For Tourists

If your purpose of visit is for tourism, you also need to provide certain travel documents. These travel documents are:

  • A valid passport.
  • Passport-size photos.
  • Travel itinerary with details about the places you're going to visit.
  • Return flight ticket.

What Is A Transit Visa?

These visas are for people connecting through Kenya to other destinations for a period not exceeding 72 hours. Those connecting flights without leaving the airport don't need to apply for Transit visas.

What Are The Entry Requirements For A Kenya Transit Visa?

To apply for Transit Visa For Kenya, you must meet the entry requirements. The entry requirements are very straightforward. All you need is a valid passport (valid for at least six months) and a round-trip flight ticket.

How Much Does A Transit Visa For Kenya Cost?

All evisa applications attract a 1 USD processing fee and a charged handling fee for Debit cards, Credit cards, VISA Card, and Mastercard. For example, the Visa fee for a Kenya Transit Visa is USD 21.

What Are The Required Documents For A Kenya Transit Visa?

During the application process, you must attach the following documents.

  • You'll need a valid passport biodata page.
  • A passport-size photograph.

Remember that the file formats are PDF, JPG, or Microsoft word (microsoft word documents).

What Is A Courtesy Visa?

This is a visa issued for Diplomatic, Officials, and Service passport holders coming into the country on official duties or transiting through Kenya to a third country for official business or duties. It is issued free of charge.

What Are The Entry Requirements For A Courtesy Visa?

To apply for Courtesy Visa For Kenya, you must meet the entry requirements. The entry requirements are very straightforward. The entry requirements are the following:

  • Valid travel document valid for at least six months.
  • Must be a holder of a service, official and diplomatic passport.
  • Must hold an official letter from the country of origin/ organization/ foreign affairs.
  • A round-trip ticket or a boarding pass for passengers on transit.

In cases of applicants who fall under category 3 of the Visa regime, the Kenyan visa regulations must apply whether on transit or on official business.

What Are The Required Documents For A Kenya Courtesy Visa?

During the application process, you must attach the following documents:

  • A valid passport.
  • A clear photograph.

The file formats should be PDF, JPG, or Microsoft Word (microsoft word document).

What Is A East Africa Tourist Visa?

An East Africa Tourist Visa is a Joint tourist visa issued to travelers going to Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda for tourism. It is a multiple entry visa; you can get it through Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The holder of the East Africa Tourist Visa must enter from the country that issued the visa and move within the two other countries without applying for another visa or paying another visa fee. The East Africa Tourist Visa is an eVisa, which means you can apply for the visa online (before you depart). An East Africa Tourist Visa For Kenya is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

What Are The Eligibility Requirements For A East Africa Tourist Visa?

The eligibility requirements or visa requirements for the East Africa Tourist Visa for Kenya are very straightforward. However, it has a few more documents than the previous visas I mentioned. You need the following to apply for an East Africa Tourist Visa:

  • A valid passport.
  • A passport-size photo.
  • Full travel itinerary.
  • Return flight ticket.
  • A Yellow fever vaccination certificate.
  • A invitation letter.

How Much Does A East Africa Tourist Visa Cost?

All evisa applications attract a 1 USD service charge and a card handling fee. Card handling fees will be surcharged for Debit cards, Credit cards, VISA Card, and Mastercard. For example, the East Africa Tourist Visa costs USD 101.

What Is A Multiple Entry Visa For Kenya?

This visa is for people who frequent Kenya and their nationalities require a visa to enter Kenya for business, tourism, medical, or other reasons. You must present EVisa Printout to immigration services at the point of entry. This visa is valid for 3-12 months from the issue date.

What Are The Entry Requirements For A Multiple Entry Visa?

There are some basic requirements for the Multiple Entry Visa for Kenya. These requirements include a valid passport (valid for at least six months), and you need a return flight ticket.

How Much Does A Multiple Entry Visa Cost?

All evisa applications attract a 1 USD service charge, and a card handling fee will be surcharged. Card handling fees will be surcharged for Debit cards, Credit cards, VISA Card, and Mastercard. This Multiple Entry Visa for Kenya costs USD 101.

What Are The Required Documents For A Multiple Entry Visa?

If you're traveling to Kenya with a Multiple Entry Visa to visit family, you need a letter of invitation and an identity card from the host. If you're traveling for business purposes, you'll need an invitation letter from the company and a copy of the company's registration. Finally, if you're visiting for tourism, you'll need a travel itinerary detailing the places you're going to visit and your hotel bookings.

Remember that you also need your passport and a return flight ticket.

What Is A Five-Year Multiple Entry Visa For Kenya?

This visa is for USA nationals who require a visa to enter Kenya for business or tourism. A 5-year Multiple Entry visa is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. You must present an EVisa Printout to immigration control at the port of entry.

What Are The Entry Requirements For A Five-Year Multiple Entry Visa?

The entry requirements for a 5-year Multiple Entry Visa are as straightforward as those other Visas. All you need is a valid passport which, again, should be valid for at least six months from the day you arrive in Kenya. You also need a return flight ticket.

How Much Does A Five-Year Multiple Entry Visa Cost?

All evisa applications attract a 1 USD service charge and a card handling fee. Card handling fees will be surcharged for Debit cards, Credit cards, VISA Card, and Mastercard. For example, the Five-Year Multiple Entry Visa costs USD 201.

What Are The Required Documents For A Five-Year Multiple Entry Visa For Kenya?

You must attach the certain travel documents during the application process, the type of documents depend on your purpose of travel. If you're traveling for business purposes, you need an invitation letter from your company and a copy of the company's registration. If you have a five-year multiple visa and you're traveling to visit family, you need an invitation letter from your family and an identity card from your host. Finally, if you're traveling for tourism, you need a travel itinerary detailing your trip and the places you're going to visit and proof of hotel bookings. The file formats that may be attached are PDF, JPG, or Microsoft word.

You also need your valid passport and a passport-size picture.

What Are The Requirements For The Passport-Size Photographs?

You need to provide passport-size photographs, but these photographs need to meet some requirements. You need to ensure that you follow these requirements. Otherwise, they could reject your visa application. Be sure you follow the following requirements:

  • Don't take a photograph of or scan the photo in your passport.
  • You must take the photo within the past 6 months, showing your current appearance.
  • Must be in color.
  • Must show your full face, front view with a plain white background.
  • Must show a full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background.
  • Must be taken in normal street attire.
  • Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
  • If you usually wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig, or similar articles, you sure wear them for your picture.
  • Dark or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

Do US Citizens Need A Visa For Kenya?

Yes, US citizens need a visa to enter Kenya. Previously, US passport holders could apply for a Visa On Arrival in Kenya, but unfortunately, the Kenyan Government suspended the Kenya Visa On Arrival. So now you must apply for a Kenya eVisa (electronic visa). The visa application process for a Kenya Online Visa is easy and fast.

How Much Does A eVisa For US Citizens Cost?

For each Kenya e-Visa, the government added a USD 1 service charge and card handling fee. The Single Entry Visa costs, the Multiple Entry Visa costs USD 101, and the 5yr Multiple Entry Visa costs USD 201. These amounts are available on the official Kenya e-Visa website.

All Done!

Experience the thrill and treat your family to an amazing safari-filled vacation. Eat some of the amazing authentic cuisines and the rich culture. It all starts with the first step, which is applying for your Kenya Visa.

Written By: Laliq Schuman
Fact Checked By: Richard Nathan

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Visit Kenya Without Applying For An eVisa?

Residents from the following countries can enter Kenya without applying for an e-Visa:

Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Burundi, Cyprus, Dominica, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Mauritius, Malaysia, Malawi, Maldives, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, The Solomon Islands, South Africa (30 days), Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, St. Vincent, and the G., Saint Lucia, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Sudan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Is Kenya Safe For Tourists?

There are a few places I recommend you should avoid, like:

  • Kenya-Somalia border counties and some coastal areas due to terrorism and kidnapping.
  • Areas of Turkana County due to crime.

and maybe reconsider traveling to:

  • Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera and Mombasa at all times due to crime and kidnapping. Be especially careful when traveling after dark anywhere in Kenya due to crime.
Do Minors Need An eVisa For Kenya?

No, they don't. Anyone under 16 doesn't need to apply for a Kenya e-Visa. However, remember that you'll need to add their information to your visa application. Minors (under 16) are part of the visa exemption program which means they travel visa-free.

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