Kenya Visa for US Citizens: Application Process & Requirements [2024]

Traveling overseas is a fantastic way to discover more about other cultures and can provide wonderful memories and experiences. Kenya is among the most distinctive and fascinating destinations available to Americans.

Many adventure-seekers dream of exploring Kenya, and as a U.S. citizen, knowing the ‘Kenya Visa for US Citizens’ requirements is a crucial step in ensuring a smooth, worry-free journey. This article provides an all-inclusive guide to obtaining a Kenya visa for Americans who need it, how to apply, the necessary requirements, and much more. Let’s unravel the intricacies of procuring a Kenya Visa for U.S. citizens.

Do US Nationals Require a Visa to Visit Kenya

Yes, a visa is required for entry into Kenya if you are a citizen of the United States and intend to visit for leisure, business, or a family reunion.  Whether you are traveling by land, air, or sea, this still applies.

Kenya Visa Application Requirements

1. Valid passport with at least six months validity
2. At least three blank pages in the holders passport.
3. Upload recent colour passport size photo with a clear background
4. Passport copy: A clean scan of your passport’s information pages from a current, signed passport
5. Passport Front Cover: A clean photo or scan of your passport’s front cover.
6. Digital passport photo: A photo that was taken within the last six months. If it complies with the requirements of a passport-type photograph, it may be taken with a cell phone against a white wall.
7. A copy of the hotel reservation or equivalent proof of lodging for the duration of the trip. The reservation must contain the applicant’s name.
8. Return ticket
9. Itinerary: A copy of the tickets for the return trip or a comprehensive schedule for the entire journey.
10. Invitation letter from host
11. Employment contract

For business visits:

1. Invitation Letter from company / Invitation letter for business visits
2. Copy of registration or incorporation certificate of the company

Things to note:

1. All visa applications attract $1 service charge.
2. Visa processing fee is non-refundable.
3. Children under sixteen [16] years are exempted from visa payment.

How to apply for a Kenya Visa for US Citizens

First of all, you will have to create an account on the Kenya e-visa portal www.evisa.go.ke.
make sure to have your passport number handy. Store your password in a safe place.

Once your account is created, you will be taken to the dashboard. It might be confusing at first because the portal serves for some other Kenyan national services. Do not fret. We are here to help.

Locate and click on “Directorate of Immigration Services (New Applications)” option. It should be the first option on the dashboard.

You will then be redirected to the “State Department of Immigration and Citizen Services” specific portal.

Click on the “eVisa Application” button and you will be taken to the eVisa application form. Make sure the read the Requirements for Kenyan Evisa on the page before clicking NEXT.
A special note on the page instructs that “Visa Processing Fee Is Non-Refundable” and you must “Print Visa Authority in Colour and Present It at the Point of Entry on Arrival”.

The application process consists of several tabs, from “Application Information” to “Review Application”.

You be asked for your information as you progress on each step.

If you’re traveling with children, you’ll need to provide their details, including names and passport numbers, in Step 5 of the application process.

Children under the age of 16 are exempt from visa fees. However, those aged 16 and above must pay the applicable visa fees.

In Step 6, you will be asked to choose your Visa Type.
From Single Entry Visa to 5-Year Multiple Entry Visa, each comes with its own fee and restrictions. We have a table for their pricing further down this article.

Select the option suitable for you and proceed.

As you progress through each step, you will be asked for your personal information, your both parents basic details, your next of kin name and phone number.

You will be asked for your reason for wanting to travel to Kenya.
You will have the following options to choose from.

• Tourism
• Visit
• Medical
• Business
• Work
• Meetings / Workshop / Seminars / Training / Retreat
• Resettlement

You will be asked for the details of your host. These includes their full names, address and contact details. Your host can be any of the following:

• Hotel
• Firm
• Friend
• Relative
• Holiday Home/Apartment
• Airbnb

Further more, there are fields for your proposed date of entry and departure, mode of entry (Air, Ship or Road) and point of entry.

The point of entry options are:

• JKIA Nairobi
• Wajir Airport
• Wilson Airport Nairobi
• MIA Mombasa
• KIA Kisumu
• Malindi Airport
• Lamu Airport
• EIA Eldoret
• Garisa Airstrip
• Lokichogio Airport
• Isiolo Airport

Step 9 is more about your travel history. They’re interested in your recent trips, any visa denials, and whether you’ve ever been convicted of a crime. Make sure to answer honestly.

Further more, you will be asked to upload the following documents:

A. Recent Passport Size Photo *

B. Passport Front Cover *

C. Passport Bio-Data Page *

D. invitation Letter From The Host *

E. Employment Contract *

If you are travelling with minors:
F. Upload Minors Passport Bio-Data Page *

G. Upload Additional Document

The required format is a JPG image that doesn’t exceed 293kb in size for each file. Personally, I find this size limit to be rather restrictive. You might need to use a photo resizer or compressor if your images surpass this size constraint.

Make sure to upload all the necessary documents to support your visa application.

Lastly, you will have the liberty to review your application for any errors or mistakes before swiping out your precious card and making payment for the visa fees.

The challenging part is now definitively over. You must now relax and wait for the processing of your Kenya visa. The processing of Category 2 visa takes upto 48 hours and the Category 3 Multiple entry visas and 5 year Multiple Entry are processed within 14 working days. Be sure you apply at least two weeks before your trip to avoid unpleasant suprises.

Once your Kenya eVisa has been approved, you’ll get an email. Make sure to print out the email as soon as you receive it and to save a digital copy on your phone.

You are required to present a physical colored print out of your visa at the point of entry on your arrival to Kenya.

Requirements For Minors For Kenya Visa

eVisa is not required for children under the age of 16. Please remember to add any child under this age in your eVisa request if you are traveling with them. Their full name, passport number, and bio page photo are all information will be required.

Minors between the ages of 16 and 18 must obtain their own eVisa. In this instance, you can reference them in your application by including their names and passport numbers, but a separate application will be required for them. The criteria will be the same as those for adult applicants.

Kenya Visa fees

There are different fees depending on the type of visa applied for.

Visa Type	Visa Fees
SINGLE ENTRY VISA + Service Charge	US$51.00
TRANSIT ENTRY VISA + Service Charge	US$21.00
COURTESY ENTRY VISA + Service Charge	US$0.00
EAST AFRICAN TOURIST VISA + Service Charge	US$101.00
MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA PROCESSING FEE + Service Charge	US$11.00
MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA + Service Charge	US$101.00
5yr MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA + Service Charge	US$161.00

How long does it take a US citizen to get a Kenyan visa?

Prior to entering the Republic of Kenya, a visa is necessary. At the port of entry, the printed e-Visa must be shown. Your eVisa should arrive in at least 2 working days. Kenyan visas are often issued under 48 hours. The processing time can occasionally take up to 15 days, though. You are hereby advised to start your Kenya visa application 15 days prior to your trip. It gives you adequate time to make sure you have time in case your visa applications run into problems.

How long can a US citizen stay in Kenya with a visa?

The duration of a US citizen’s Kenya visa is 90 days (3 months). By examining the issuance date on your Kenya visa, you may quickly determine whether your visa is still valid.

Visa Extensions

American travelers visiting Kenya can request for an eVisa extension if they want to stick around longer. They must go to the Nairobi Immigration Headquarters to request an extension of their online visa permit, which would give them an additional 90 days to stay in the nation.

Types of Kenyan Visa

The Kenya Single Entry eVisa :The Kenya Single Entry eVisa allows you to travel to Kenya for 90 days. However, you can only enter Kenya once with this type of visa; therefore, “Single Entry

The Kenya Transit Visa: Foreign nationals can travel to Kenya using the Kenya Transit eVisa for brief visits. It is only given out to those who want to stick around while awaiting a connecting aircraft to a different nation.

Kenya Courtesy Visa: Only those with Service, Diplomatic, or Official passports are eligible for the Courtesy eVisa. Therefore, if you are performing official business, it will only be issued to certain passport holders.

Kenya Multiple Entry Visa :You can enter Kenya more than once with the Kenya Multiple Entry eVisa. You can enter, exit, and return multiple times, in contrast to the Single Entry eVisa.

East Africa Tourist Visa: The East Africa Tourist Visa is a joint visa for persons traveling to Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

What are the Covid-19 Requirements?

Starting from May 9, 2023, the Kenyan government has dropped the mandate for either COVID-19 vaccination proof or a negative COVID-19 PCR test for entry into the country.

Considering these regulations, you can save your hard-earned money as COVID-19 tests are no longer a requirement for entry into Kenya.

Keep in mind, visitors exhibiting flu-like symptoms must take a rapid antigen test, which comes at a personal expense of 30 USD. If the antigen RDT result is positive, these individuals will be asked to undergo a PCR test costing 50 USD and to self-isolate following the Ministry of Health’s isolation guidelines. Individuals with severe symptoms must adhere to the current isolation protocols for mild, moderate, and severe illness.

Travelers showing flu-like symptoms upon arrival in Kenya must complete a passenger locator form on the ‘jitenge’ platform: https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/. They may also be required to take a rapid antigen test at their own expense, irrespective of age or vaccination status.

For comprehensive information on Kenya’s entry regulations concerning COVID-19, refer to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority’s official website.

Is There Visa on Arrival?

No. Visas are no longer granted upon arrival in Kenya. The Kenya Visa on Arrival program has been suspended as of the end of 2020 and the Kenya  government has also, just launched online tourist e-visa as part of its push to digitize its operations. To increase the security of Kenya’s airports and significant public locations, the government is also implementing Airport Biometrics.

Is Kenya safe to travel?

As of December 9, 2022, the United States Department of State has classified Kenya as Level 2: Exercise heightened Caution. This indicates that some locations are at more risk as a result of crime, terrorism, civil instability, and kidnapping. This does not imply, however, that there is generally a minimal risk throughout the nation, particularly in the most touristic places. You may take advantage of the amazing experiences Kenya has in store for you with careful planning.

Since February 2018, it was advised to stay away from the Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa counties that share a border with Somalia. some parts of Turkana County, the Eastleigh and Kibera regions of Nairobi, and some areas of Laikipia County. None of these prohibited zones contain Kenya’s top tourist destinations so you won’t miss its primary features as a result. Also, there are techniques to lessen the chances of being in danger, but you can’t always be certain that you’ll be safe.

• Do not travel alone at night.
• Do not show off expensive jewellery or devices.
• Take enough money and keep it safe

Where is the Kenyan Embassy Located in the US?

The Kenyan Embassy in the USA is located at 2249 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008.

Fascinating Facts about Kenya

1. 62 languages are spoken across Kenya. In addition to Kenya’s two official languages of Swahili and English which are spoken at our partner schools, there are 62 other languages which are used by different ethnic groups across the country- including the Bantu and Nilotic languages.
2. Kenya is home to Africa’s second-highest mountain
   Mount Kenya is located in the Great Rift Valley, which is also the location of most partner schools in Kenya. It takes 4 to 5 days to ascend to the top of its 5199m height.
3. Kenya has 536 kilometres of coastline on the Indian Ocean

Closing thoughts

If you enjoyed our Kenya Visa for US Citizens article, you may want to check out Ghana Visa For US Citizens guide too.

In conclusion, for a hassle-free and enjoyable trip, American residents must be aware of these Kenya visa requirements explore above. By adhering to the instructions provided in this article, you can make sure that you have all the required paperwork and satisfy the admission requirements. Plan beforehand, apply online if you can, and set out on your Kenyan journey with assurance, eager to discover the delights that this alluring nation has to offer.