- Download our Moving to Kenya Guide (PDF)
Traditional visas are no longer issued in Kenya. An Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system has been in place since January 2024, and most visitors must apply for an eTA online before they travel. This includes citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most European countries.
Nationals of nearly every African country are exempt and can enter visa-free for up to two months. The only exceptions are Somalia and Libya, whose citizens still need an eTA. You can check the official eTA portal for the current list of exempt countries. Citizens of East African Community countries can stay for up to 180 days and may enter with a national ID card.
You can apply for the eTA up to 90 days before travel, and it's wise to do so at least three days ahead. Approval usually takes around three working days, sometimes longer. Visa on arrival is no longer an option, so you cannot simply turn up at the airport and pay for entry.
You'll need a yellow fever vaccination certificate only if you're arriving from, or passing through, a country where the disease is present. Travellers who fly in directly from Europe or North America generally don't need one.
Tourist visas for Kenya
Tourist visas for Kenya are issued electronically through the eTA system. The eTA is valid for a single entry, and you can stay for up to 90 days. You must enter the country within 90 days of the date it's issued, and once you arrive, the immigration officer sets the exact length of your stay.
When you apply, you generally need to provide a travel itinerary that sets out where you plan to go, proof of accommodation such as a hotel booking, a passport valid for at least six months, and a return or onward ticket. If you're staying with friends or family, an invitation letter that states their address is accepted instead.
The standard eTA is for a single entry. If you expect to visit Kenya regularly, a multiple-entry eTA that is valid for up to five years is available to some nationalities, including US citizens.
Extensions
To extend your stay, apply for a visitor's pass extension at the Immigration Headquarters in Nairobi or your nearest immigration office. You can lodge the application online through the eFNS portal and generate Form 22. You'll need the following documents:
- A copy of the bio-data page of your passport
- A copy of your previous visa endorsement
- Proof of a pending application, if applicable
- A valid passport with at least six months before expiry
- Two passport-sized photos
An extension is valid for up to 90 days, and you can renew it one more time. In total, you can stay for up to 180 days on a visitor's pass. Apply at least two weeks before your current pass expires to give the office time to process it.
Useful links
Business visas for Kenya
For a business trip to Kenya, you apply for the same eTA that tourists use. It is valid for 90 days and can be extended for a further 90 days, which is long enough for the few months a project or a run of meetings might take.
On an eTA, you can carry out a range of business activities:
- Attending meetings and negotiations
- Exploring business ventures and carrying out market research
- Joining conferences, seminars, workshops, and trade fairs
- Negotiating contracts and agreements
- Running pre-sales activities or product demonstrations
You cannot take up paid employment or work for a Kenyan company on an eTA. To work in Kenya, you need a permit.
To apply, you provide documents that prove the purpose of your visit:
- An invitation letter from the host company in Kenya
- Proof that you can support yourself financially during your stay
- A travel itinerary that includes your flights and accommodation
- Company registration documents if you are representing a company
- A tax compliance certificate, if applicable
- Copies of previous visas if you have travelled to Kenya before
Useful links
Family visit visas for Kenya
Family visit visas for Kenya are handled through the eTA as well, so relatives who come to stay with you for a few months apply online, just like any other traveller. To qualify, the visitor must be a family member of a Kenyan citizen or of a foreign national resident in Kenya. Close relatives such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings usually qualify.
The visit has to be genuinely for seeing family, not for work or business. On a family visit eTA, you cannot work or do business of any kind.
You'll need to prove your family relationship, which usually means one or more of the following:
- A marriage certificate for a spouse
- A birth certificate for a child
- Affidavits or legal documents for less direct relationships
- Official identification of the Kenyan citizen or resident, such as an ID or passport
A family visit eTA is valid for up to 90 days, like a tourist eTA, and you can extend it if you need more time.
Work and residence permits for Kenya
Work and residence permits for Kenya are required for any stay beyond six months. If you plan to live or work in the country for the long term, you'll have to arrange the right permit before you arrive. There are several classes of permits, each intended for a particular purpose, such as employment, business, investment, or retirement.
The most common route for employees is the Class D permit, which an employer applies for on your behalf once you have a firm job offer. The process can be involved, and you may wait several weeks to a few months for approval. A relocation company can take a lot of the paperwork off your hands.
Work Permits for Kenya
Relocation Companies in Kenya
Visa and permit rules can change at short notice. Check the official eTA portal or a Kenyan embassy or high commission for the latest details before you travel.