Visa Categories

Cat 1: No Visa Required: See details here

Cat 2: Visa Required. Visa can be issued at port of entry: See details here

Cat 3: Visa Required: Visa MUST be issued before departure to Kenya. See details here

Prohibited Persons: (will not be issued with Visa)

1. Any person incapable of supporting himself/herself or his/her accompanying dependants if any in Kenya..
2. Any person suffering from a mental disorder or being a mental defective.
3. Any person who refuses to submit to medical examination on arrival when required to do so by an Immigration Officer in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Act.
4. Any person certified by a medical practitioner to be suffering from a disease, which shall make his/her presence in Kenya undesirable on medical grounds.
5. Any person who, not having received a free pardon has been convicted in any country including Kenya, of murder, or of any offence for which a sentence of imprisonment has been passed for any term and who, by reasons of such conviction and imprisonment is considered to be an undesirable immigrant.
6. Any person whose entry and presence in Kenya is deemed by the Minister to be contrary to national interests, including persons suspected to be involved with or sympathetic to terrorist groups.
7. Any prostitute or person living on or receiving or who has lived on or received the proceeds of prostitution.
8. Any person in respect of whom there is in force an order directing him/her to remain out of Kenya.
9. Any person who is involved or suspected to be involved in illicit trafficking and trade in narcotics.
10. Any person or groups of persons involved or suspected to be involved in human trafficking.
11. Any person(s) or group(s) of persons involved or suspected to be involved in human rights violations as defined in international human rights law.
12. Any person involved or suspected to be involved in illicit arms trade.
13. Any person involved or suspected to be involved in money laundering.
14. Any person who, upon entering or seeking to enter Kenya fails to produce a valid passport to an immigration officer on demand or within such time as that officer may allow.
15. Any person whose presence in or entry into Kenya is unlawful under any written law other than the Immigration Act.
16. Any dependants of the persons mentioned in the foregoing categories and classes.

Guidelines for Visa Application

Single Entry Visas:

1. Two visa application forms V.1 to be duly filled, signed and dated.
2. Copy of an Invitation letter accompanied by Kenyan Identity Card or Kenyan Passport from host in Kenya.
3. Copy of marriage certificate if visiting spouse.
4. Two passport size photographs of the applicant.
5. Two copies of Passport/travel document of the applicant(s) showing Bio data page.  The passport/travel  document should be at least six months valid.
6. Copy of medical report from a hospital or a doctor for medical cases
7. If host in Kenya is a non-Kenyan, copy of residency permit (certified at Kenya Immigration Department) is required.

Single Entry Visa Application from Companies/Organisations

1. Two visa application forms V.1 to be duly filled, signed and dated.
2. Two copies of valid Passport with a validity of at least six months.
3. Two passport size photographs of the applicant.
4. Cover letters to be on company/organization’s letterheads.
5. Should specify the reason for applicant’s visit.
6. Specify proposed date of entry and duration of stay.
7. Show connection between applicant and the company/organization.
8. The letter should have the name and signature of the person countersigning it.

Multiple Entry Visa

1. Four visa application forms V.1 to be duly filled, signed and dated.
2. Four passport size photographs of the applicant.
3. Letter from the applicant/company detailing the need for multiple entry visa.
4. Copies of previous visas if any.
5. Applicants applying for multiple entry Visa’s to visit their spouses should avail in addition to the above, the following:
   1. Their spouses National identity Card if Kenyan
   2. Residential/Work permit if spouse is a foreigner
   3. Copy of marriage certificate
6. Parents applying for Multiple entry Visa’s to Kenya to visit their children in schools should avail copies of valid pupil’s passes and copies of Valid residential permits in their countries of residence

Multiple Entry Visa for Companies/Organisations

1. Four visa application forms V.1 to be duly filled, signed and dated.
2. Four passport size photographs of the applicant
3. Copies of previous visas if any.
4. Letter from the company detailing the need for multiple entry.  The letter should bear the company/organization’s letterhead.
5. The letter should have the name and signature of the person countersigning it.
6. Two copies of applicant’s valid resident permit if not residing in their country.

Transit Visas

1. Two visa application forms V.1 to be duly filled, signed and dated.
2. Two passport size photographs of the applicant.
3. Two copies of valid Passport/travel document with a validity of at least six months.
4. Copies of onward ticket/itinerary to a third destination.
5. If applicant belongs to countries listed under Category 3, the visa should be issued before before they travel.  Click here for details of Category 3.

Note: Under no circumstances shall a paper visitor’s pass be issued in advance to a person intending to come to Kenya for holiday or business.