Kenya Visa Guide

About Kenya

Kenya is a country in Africa that is famous for its safari parks, but there is a lot more that the country has to offer such as coral reefs and beaches. Kenya, also known as the Republic of Kenya, is named after Mount Kenya, the highest mountain of Kenya. It is the world's 48th largest country. Some famous cities of Kenya include Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret. The capital of nation is Nairobi which is also the largest city. However, the first capital of the country, and its oldest city, is Mombasa. The currency of Kenya is ‘Shilling’, also known as Kenyan Shilling.

Kenya is a multilingual country but the primary language of use is Swahili, still, the use of English is prevalent in the nation. Tourism in Kenya has been growing day by day because of the safari parks and national parks. Kenya has 60 national parks. Wildebeests are one of the attractions for the tourists.  It has many other attractions like Mount Kenya and the coastal beaches. Kenya has an advantage that it gives a beautiful and pleasant view of Mt. Kilimanjaro which is across the Tanzania Border.

One of the most important things thatyou need to remember if you are travelling to Kenya is that you should be vaccinated against yellow fever. Yellow fever is prevalent in the country due to Aedes Aegypti, a mosquitoe found in Kenya, which is said to be the primary cause of yellow fever.

Apart from the vaccination, you should also know the most-famos tourist spots in the nation. Here are 14 top-rated tourist spots in Kenya.

1. Maasai Mara National Reserve - Maasai Mara, is the world's magnificent game reserve. It has numerous animals but the most prominent animal is the Wildebeest.
2. Amboseli National Reserve - Amboseli National Reserve is of one of Kenya's most popular tourist parks. The reason for the popularity of the reserve is down to the elephant hordes and the magnificent view of Mount Kilimanjaro.
3. Tsavo National Park - One of the largest parks in Kenya. It comprises of rivers, waterfalls, Savannah, volcanic hills and lava rock plateau.
4. Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba National Reserves - The Reserve lies on the banks of the palm-lined Ewaso Nyiro River. You will have the chance to witness Grevy’s Zebra, an endangered species.
5. Lake Nakuru National Park – Lake Nakuru National Park is located in Central Kenya. Huge flocks of pink flamingo are seen in this park.
6. Lamu Island – Lamu Island lies in Lamu Old Town. Lamu Old town is the oldest town with origins from the 12^th century.
7. Lake Naivasha – Lake Naivasha is a perfect place for bird lovers.
8. Nairobi – Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and is also famous for its historic sites.
9. Nairobi National Park and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust – The park has animals like buffalo, leopards, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, elephants and cheetah. They also have a rhino sanctuary which allows you to witness the magnificent yet endangered rhinos.
10. Mombasa – Mombasa is Kenya’s second largest city but it has the biggest port in the nation.
11. Malindi – Malindi is a city on the eastern coast of Kenya. The city is famous as a popular tourist destination due to its splendid beaches and resorts.
12. Mount Kenya National Park – it has the famous Mount Kenya which is formed by a series of volcanic eruptions.
13. Hell’s Gate National Park – Hell’s Gate National Park is famous among the tourists as it is the only park which allows camping and travel by foot or bicycle.
14. Ol Pejeta Conservancy – It is near to Mount Kenya National Park. The Big Five Animals are found in this park.

That was a brief detail about Kenya, and you can explore more about Kenya by visiting the place. All you need to do is plan the trip and apply for the Visa.

Types of Kenya Visa

Kenya visa is mandatory for entering the Republic of Kenya. Below are the types of visa that are provided by the Kenyan Embassy.

Single Entry Visa For Kenya

Single Entry Visa is allowed to Indian travellers who wish to stay in Kenya for a short period. Single Entry Visa can be used only once. Indians who travel to a Kenya for tourism purpose or business purpose or medical purpose. The applicant needs to mention the purpose of his visit. Kenya tourist visa and Kenya work visa are the single-entry visas. The applicant has to specify the purpose whether it for tourism purpose or work purpose.

Multiple Entry Visa For Kenya

Multiple entry visa is for the Indian travellers who need to travel to Kenya regularly. Business people are entitled to Multiple Entry Visa as they require to go across the countries for trading purpose.

Transit Visa For Kenya

Transit Visa is a temporary visa that is given to Indian traveller when he/she needs to halt at Kenya to reach his/her destination. Transit visa is not granted to the people who wish to stay in Kenya for business, tourism or medical purpose. Transit Visa is a single use visa. Transit Visa is valid for at least three days.

Diplomatic Visa For Kenya

Diplomatic Visa is granted to diplomats. Diplomats are the foreign or Indian citizens who have a diplomatic passport and needs to travel to Kenya to perform his/her official duties. Diplomatic passport holders are the representatives of a particular country.

Service Visa For Kenya

Service Visa is the visa for foreign or Indian citizens who do not have a diplomatic passport but a service passport. A service passport is for government employees who travel to Kenya for work. 

Application Process for Kenya Visa

Indians can apply for Kenya Visa online. Embassy of the Republic of Kenya has an official website which contains the application form. The applicant needs to fill the application form online and then show it to the Kenyan Embassy which is India.

The applicant needs to apply for the Kenya Visa online. The online application form is available on the official website of the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya.

Fill up the application form:

Kenya visa for Indians is easy to get and does not have as many restrictions when compared to other countries such as U.S. The applicant needs to follow all the instructions and fill up the correct information. The form asks for personal details like name, age, gender, address, and contact details. Other than the personal information there are fields like the purpose of visit, type of visa, the documents that will be submitted and many more. The applicant must make sure he/she fills up all the mandatory details; otherwise the form can get rejected.

Payment method:

After filling up the application form next step is to choose a payment method for the fees, whether you want to pay the fees online or by demand drafts or cheque. If you choose the online mode, the applicant needs to fill up his/her bank details.

Confirmation email:

Once the payment is accepted the applicant will receive a confirmation email. After all the process is done, Kenya eVisa will be sent to the applicant through email. The applicant needs to attach a copy of the Kenya eVisa with the other documents that are to be submitted to the authorities. The eVisa is issued electronically. The applicant needs to show the print out of the Kenya eVisa at the airport, after checking all the details the applicant’s passport will be stamped.

Kenya Visa Requirements

The applicant is eligible only if he/she meets the requirements. The requirements are:

• The passport must be valid for six months, and it must have one blank page so that the visa can be stamped. The passport must be in good condition.
• The applicant has to submit a copy of the confirmation page of the application form with the date and applicant's signature or a print out of Kenyan eVisa.
• The applicant must provide two recent passport size photos which should be visible and identical to the photograph that is in the passport.
• The applicant has to provide a copy of his flight reservation ticket and hotel reservation ticket.
• The applicant must submit his/her recent bank statement.
• The applicant must submit the certificate of yellow fever vaccination as Kenya is a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. It is mandatory for travellers to take the yellow fever vaccination; otherwise, the applicant will not be allowed to enter Kenya.

There are some additional requirements based on the types of Kenya Visa.

Additional documents for Kenya Business Visa –

Letter of Invitation

A xerox copy of the letter of invitation should be provided to the authorities. The organisation that you are visiting should give you a letter of invitation. This letter must be written on the company’s letterhead. It should include the address and contact details of the organisation you are visiting.

Additional documents for Kenya Multiple Visa –

Multiple Visa is issued to the applicants who need to travel to the country numerous times. In case the applicant is going for medical treatment, the applicant requires to submit a copy of his/ her doctor's prescription with the recommendation letter. 

Moreover, in case the applicant is travelling for education purpose then he/she needs to provide a copy of his /her university details. It can be receipt of a fee.

Business people can also apply for multiple visas if they need to.

Additional documents for Kenya Diplomatic and Service Visa-

The applicant must apply to the Consular Office of the Republic of Indonesia. The applicant must attach a diplomatic note with the application. The note must be from official agencies or missions or international organization.

The note must include the following information of the applicant for all diplomatic and service visas, whether for temporary visits or assignments:

• Name and date of birth;
• Position and title;
• Place of assignment or visit;
• Purpose of travel;
• A brief description of duties;
• Travel date;
• Anticipated length of stay; and
• The names, relationships, dates of birth, and travel dates of the members who are accompanying in the trip.

Additional documents for Kenya Visa if the applicant is minor -

If the applicant is minor, he/she must attach his/her birth certificate with other documents. The applicant has to submit a copy of his parent's (father and mother) passport with their consent letter. The consent letter must be notarized.

Additional documents if the applicant is applying for transit -

The applicant is required to submit a copy of his/her flight booking which shows the detail of his trip.

Where to apply for Kenya Visa?

The applicant can apply online, and the process is explained above in brief. After filling up the form, the applicant needs to submit the required documents. There are countries which officially works for the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya. The applicant can submit the documents to the Kenyan Embassy in his/her country.

As far as Indians are concerned Indians can submit the documents to the Embassy of Republic of Kenya New Delhi. New Delhi is the only state which has the Kenyan Embassy.

The Embassy is open for five business days, i.e. Monday to Friday. The office remains closed on Saturday and Sunday. The office working hours are 9.00 AM to 1.00 PM and 2.00 PM to 4.30 PM. The applicant can visit the Kenyan Embassy during office hours. 

Address- D1/27 Near HDFC Bank Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, Delhi 110057

Contact details- 011 2614 6537

What is the processing time for Kenya Visa?

Kenya eVisa is processed only after the application form is filled with proper details and full payment is made. The processing time normally is three business days. If you require Kenya eVisa on an urgent basis, it will take two business days, and if you need Kenya eVisa on a super urgent basis, it will take one business day.

It is advised to apply for a visa before one month from the travel date. So that it does not delay or cancel your trip.

Kenya Tourist Visa

Tourist visa is allowed to Indian travellers who wish to stay in Kenya and enjoy the beauty of the nation. Tourist visa is allowed only for a short period. Depending on the nature and purpose of the visit, the tourist visa can be for single-entry or multiple entries. The applicant needs to mention the purpose of his visit. Kenya tourist visa and Kenya work visa are the single-entry visas. The applicant has to specify the purpose whether it’s for tourism purpose or work purpose.

Documents Required for Kenya Tourist Visa

The documentation required for Kenya tourist visa is like those mentioned above. Moreover, even the eligibility criterion is the same. However, you will need to mention and share the following in addition to the documents mentioned above:

• Your tentative travel itinerary
• Your tentative place(s) of residence in Kenya
• Proof of sufficient funds for sustenance

What is Visa on Arrival or VOA?

Visa on arrival is also known as VOA. Visa on arrival is a visa that is issued to the applicant after the applicant reaches the destination. There is no need to issue your visa beforehand. Visa on arrival might sound like an easy process, but sometimes it can be a lengthy process. As people have started using VOA more frequently, people have to wait for their turn. All the countries do not offer visa on arrival.

Indians can apply for Visa on Arrival as Kenya permits only a few countries, India is one of them.

Kenya Visa Cost

The Kenya visa fees paid will be non-refundable. The cost will be paid to the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya.

Kenya eVisa Service Fee:

The charge for Kenya eVisa Service Fee is Rs 4,200 for one person. The fee may exceed if there are more people. This is the standard fee.

If you need a visa on an urgent basis, the fee can exceed to Rs 10,000 per person, and if you need a visa on a super urgent basis, the cost will reach up to Rs 12,000 per person.

Kenya Visa Government Fee (based on the types of Visa):

Please note that the applicant has to pay a service fee as well as the government fee. The cost may exceed depending upon the number of travellers and the type of Visa.

Mode of Payment

The fees can be paid by demand drafts or by visa card, master card and other debit cards.

FAQs about KENYA VISA

Are Indians eligible for Visa on Arrival?

Yes, Indians are eligible for Visa on Arrival. However, the applicant needs to have all the required documents. Moreover, the documents provided must be accurate.

Can we apply for Kenya Visa online?

Yes, the applicants can apply online. There is an online application form available on the official website of the Kenya Embassy.

What are the basic Kenya Visa requirements?

The basic requirements are like:

• The applicant must have a passport which must be valid for six months with one blank page in it.
• The applicant must have applied for the visa based on the purpose of his/her visit.
• The applicant must submit all the necessary documents that are demanded by the embassy of Kenya.
• The applicant must submit a photograph that is the same as the photograph in the passport.
• The applicant must submit the certificate of yellow fever vaccination.

What is the Kenya Business Visa?

Kenya Business Visa is issued to the applicants who travel to Kenya for business related work. Business people are entitled to Business Visa. Business Visa can be a single-entry visa or multiple entry visa.

Can Indians apply for Kenyan Visa online?

Yes, Indians can apply for Kenyan Visa online either by filling the application form online that is available in the official website of the Kenyan Embassy or by personally going and inquiring at the Embassy of Republic on Kenya New Delhi.

Can we apply for Kenyan Tourist Visa online?

Yes, the applicants can apply for any Kenyan Visa based on the type of Visa they need. Type of Visa is based on the purpose of the visit. If it is for tourism purpose applicant can apply for a tourist visa, if the visit is for business purpose the applicant can apply for a business visa.

What is yellow fever?

A mosquito bite causes yellow fever. Not all mosquito causes yellow fever only a mosquito namely Aedes Aegypti causes yellow fever.

Do we need to take any kind of precautions for yellow fever?

Yes, before you go to Kenya, you need to take the yellow fever vaccine, and you need to submit the certificate of yellow fever vaccination with the other documents to the Kenyan Embassy.

Is the yellow fever vaccine necessary?

Yes, the yellow fever vaccine is mandatory; otherwise, you will not be allowed to enter Kenya without the vaccine and the vaccination certificate. It is advisable to take the vaccine ten days before your trip.

Why does Vitamin A lack in residents of Kenya?

Yellow-fleshed sweet potato is said to be the source of Vitamin A. Kenyans produce the red, white and purple variety of sweet potato. There is a deficiency of Vitamin A in Kenyan's diet.

Should I take travel insurance for my trip to Kenya?

It is always recommendable to take travel insurance to Kenya. One of the prime concerns when you travel abroad is hospital cost, among other things. However, if you have travel insurance then you don’t have to worry in case you fall sick. Your travel insurance will allow you to use medical services in the nation. Furthermore, you can create your own customized plan to ensure that you only pay for what you need.