Do I need a visa for Kenya?

The short answer is yes. All nationalities – except 43 exempt nationalities including South Africa, Cyprus, Malaysia, Singapore, Tanzania and Zimbabwe – require an electronic visa to enter Kenya for travel, business or transit purposes. The good news is that the process of getting an e-visa is fairly quick and easy. It takes just under 10 minutes to complete as long as you meet all the requirements and have the right documents. You'll need to apply for an e-visa online prior to travel as visas on arrival are not available. 

Children under 16 years of age are exempt from visa requirements and will only need to present a valid proof of identity on arrival. Nationals of the following countries will need to apply for a referral visa:

  • Afghanistan
  • Armenia
  • North Korea
  • Iraq
  • Kosovo
  • Lebanon
  • Libye
  • Palestine
  • Somalia
  • Syria
  • Tajikstan
  • Yemen

How much is a Kenya visa?

Single-entry visas (business or tourism) cost around USD50, and a transit visa (valid for three days) is approximately USD20. If you want to visit neighbouring countries and reenter Kenya, you might be better off applying for the East Africa visa which allows multiple entries into Kenya – provided you have not left East Africa – and is valid for a period of 90 days. 

Kenya e-visa requirements

The four-step e-visa procedure is done through the Kenyan immigration website and requires visitors to submit an application form. To complete the online e-visa form you'll need to submit your personal information, a scanned copy of your passport and answer travel-related questions related to your itinerary. The e-visa takes around seven working days to process. You'll then need to print your visa so it's ready to show to authorities when you enter Kenya. If you're travelling on an itinerary that re-enters Kenya, you'll need to print multiple copies of your visa to present at each border crossing.

E-visa requirements vary depending on the purpose of travel but you typically need:

  • a valid identity document (e.g. passport) that is valid for at least six months and has at least two blank pages 
  • to enter at one of Kenya's 10 recognised border crossings, seaports or airports
  • provide a travel itinerary 
  • provide confirmation of your return ticket 
  • provide confirmation of an accommodation reservation for at least one night after your arrival date
  • a passport-sized photograph 
  • an active email address

Our Kenya tours 

8 Days From 1831

Roam the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, camp beside Lake Victoria and spot Africa's...

7 Days From 3855

Embark on a seven-day Premium journey through Kenya’s wild grasslands and vast plains...

16 Days From 3702

Encounter the wildlife of Kenya and Uganda on this 16-day adventure including a gorilla...

15 Days From 12985

Embark on a 15-day Premium Adventure through Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana...

15 Days From 10643

Discover the best of Kenya and Tanzania on a Premium adventure through the Masai Mara,...

31 Days From 25945

Set off on the adventure of a lifetime through Africa on a 31-day Premium journey,...

12 Days From 2600

Experience the beauty of the Ngorongoro and Serengeti, Usambara Mountains and Zanzibar...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

27 Days From 6826

Go deep in East Africa on this 27-day trip including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar.

13 Days From 10875

Search for Gorillas in Uganda, uncover the history of Rwanda, and explore the wild...

8 Days From 1380

Experience Kenyan wildlife on an eight day trip travelling from Nairobi to Lake...

15 Days From 3332

Uncover Kenya and Tanzania on a 15-day trip with Serengeti safaris, Ngorongoro, Nakuru,...

10 Days From 4065

Travel through East Africa from Kenya to Tanzania, stopping at the Masai Mara, the...

15 Days From 4914

Explore the wonders of Tanzania and Kenya including a trek to the summit of Mt...

63 Days From 12895

Set out on a mighty African adventure through Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe...

10 Days From 1868

Hit the (dirt) road through Kenya and Tanzania. Safari in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro...

20 Days From 4212

Step out onto the Serengeti and keep your eyes out for rhinos, lions, leopards and a...

13 Days From 2378

Explore the wildlife-rich plains of Kenya and Tanzania and then unwind in Zanzibar....

42 Days From 8866

Explore Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe on a 42-day trip including a...

12 Days From 2216

Get a true taste of eastern Africa on a 12-day trip to Zanzibar, the Serengeti,...

48 Days From 7848

Tour Africa's best from Kenya to Cape Town through Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zimbabwe...

28 Days From 5425

Discover East African wilderness and the animals that call it home on an adventure...

43 Days From 10140

Take a 43-day trip through eastern Africa, via Victoria Falls, the Serengeti and...

27 Days From 5024

Explore the wilds of East Africa on this 27-day trip from Nairobi to the Serengeti,...

9 Days From 2142

Explore Tanzania on this nine-day trip travelling to Nairobi via the Serengeti and the...

18 Days From 9780

This 18-day tour hits Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania for tracking gorillas in...

27 Days From 7465

Spend 27 days exploring the wonders, wildlife and tribal cultures of East Africa to...

49 Days From 7654

Experience the ultimate African adventure on this 49-day tour including Kenya, Botswana...

16 Days From 6286

Explore the wonders of Tanzania and Kenya including a trek to the summit of Mt...

52 Days From 12060

The waterways of Botswana, the beaches of Zanzibar, the savannahs of the Serengeti and...

15 Days From 5667

Explore the wonders of Tanzania and Kenya including a trek to the summit of Mt...

31 Days From 7460

Take a 32-day tour through Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and...

8 Days From 1857

Track your way across the plains of Kenya on this thrilling safari, covering Nairobi,...

8 Days From 2273

Experience the people, culture and wildlife of Kenya and Tanzania on a small group...

13 Days From 5030

Travel through East Africa from Kenya to Tanzania, stopping at the Masai Mara, the...

9 Days From 2248

Marvel at East Africa from Nairobi to Stone Town on a nine-day trip with safaris, hikes...

3 Days From 1505

Travel to Kenya and visit Nairobi. Embark on a journey across the Great Rift Valley to...

64 Days From 13885

This 64-day journey with explores Southern Africa in detail including Botswana, Kenya,...

21 Days From 17757

Search for Gorillas in Uganda, uncover the history of Rwanda, explore the wild plains...

16 Days From 4586

Experience the people, culture and wildlife of Kenya and Tanzania on a small group...

37 Days From 7244

Travel the waterways of Botswana, the beaches of Zanzibar and the savannahs of the...

37 Days From 32715

Set off on the adventure of a lifetime through Africa on a 37-day Premium journey,...