Kenyan Visas / Visa into Kenya

Visas are now required by almost all visitors to Kenya, including Europeans, Australian, New Zealanders, Americans and Canadians, although citizens from a few smaller commonwealth countries are exempt. Visas are valid for three months from the date of entry and can be obtained on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

Cost of Visa to Kenya

The visa fee is UK £35 or US$ 50 for a single entry visa, and UK £ 70 or US$100 for multiple entries. If you have any other currencies, you’ll have to change them into shillings and then back into dollars. Tourist visas can be extended for a further three-month period-but seven day transit visas (US$ 20) cannot.

Where to get your Kenya visa

It’s also possible to get visas from Kenyan Diplomatic missions overseas, but you should apply well in advance, especially if you’re doing it by mail. Visas are usually valid for entry within three months of the date of issue. Applications for Kenyan visas are simple and straight forward in Tanzania and Uganda, and payment is accepted in local currency. Visas can also be issued on arrival at land borders with Uganda and Tanzania.

Multiple entry Visa to Kenya

Under the East African partnership system, visiting Tanzania or Uganda and returning to Kenya does not invalidate a single entry Kenyan Visa, so there’s no need to get multiple entry visas unless you plan to go further a field. The same applies to single entry Tanzanian and Ugandan visas; though you do still need a separate visa for each country you plan to visit. Always check the latest entry requirements with embassies before travel.

It’s always best to smarten up a bit if you are arriving by air; request for evidence of ‘sufficient funds’ are usually linked to snap judgments about your appearance. If it’s fairly obvious that you aren’t intending to stay and work, you’ll generally be given the benefit of the doubt.

Local tourist Information offices

Considering the extent to which the country relies on tourism, it’s incredible to think that at the time of writing, there was still no tourist office in Nairobi. There are a handful of information offices elsewhere in the country ranging from helpful private concerns to under funded government offices; most can at least provide basic maps of the town and brochure on local business and attractions.

DIANI BEACH: Tel: 040-3202234, Barclays centre

LAMU: Tel, 042-633449, Off Kenyatta Rd

MALINDI: Tel, 042-20689; Malindi Centre, Lamu Rd

MOMBASA: Tel, 041-225428; mcta@ikenya.com ; Moi

Avenue

Tourist Information Offices Abroad

The ministry of Tourism maintains a number of overseas offices. Most only provide information by telephone, post or email.

CANADA: Tel, 905-8913909; www.kcocanada.org ; Hurontario St, Suite 100, Mississauga, Ontario, L5G 451)

GERMANY: Tel, 089-23662194; think@magnum.de ; c/o The magnum group, Herzogspitalstrade 5,D-80331 Munich)

ITALY: Tel, 02-48102361; kenya@adams.it ; c/o Adam & Partner Italia, Via Salaino 12, 201144 Milano)

NETHERLANDS: Tel, 020-4212668; kenia@travelmc.com ; Leliegracht 20, 1015 DG Amsterdam)

SPAIN: Tel, 93-2920655; kenya@ketal.com ;c/o Tuset 10, 304a, 08006 Barcelona)

UK: Tel, 020-78367738; kenya@iiuk.co.uk; 69 Monmouth St, London WC2H 9JW

USA: Tel, 1-866-44-53692; infousa@magicalkenya.com ; Carlson Destination Marketing Services, P.O Box 59159, Minneapolis, MN 55459-8257)

Robert is a travel expert in Kenya east Africa and tour consultant with Landmark Safaris. Make a free enquiry on getting Kenyan visa requirements here.
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