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 

7 Days From 2922

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

8 Days From 1290

Roam the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Amboseli National Park to spot Africa's Big...

16 Days From 2430

Encounter the wildlife of Kenya and Uganda on this adventure including a gorilla trek...

15 Days From 8631

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

8 Days From 942

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

10 Days From 2624

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

12 Days From 1772

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 4484

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

15 Days From 2414

Uncover Kenya and Tanzania on a 2 week trip with Serengeti safaris, Ngorongoro, Nakuru,...

13 Days From 7686

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

15 Days From 10335

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

13 Days From 3209

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

63 Days From 9960

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

31 Days From 20480

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

18 Days From 7385

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

8 Days From 1640

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

8 Days From 1720

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

20 Days From 2873

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

15 Days From 3593

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

13 Days From 1620

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

9 Days From 1496

Explore Tanzania on this trip travelling to Nairobi via the Serengeti and the Usambara...

9 Days From 1480

Marvel at East Africa from Nairobi to Stone Town on this epic trip with safaris, hikes...

10 Days From 1360

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

16 Days From 5470

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

12 Days From 1724

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

27 Days From 3494

Explore the wilds of East Africa on a trip from Nairobi to the Serengeti, Usambara...

42 Days From 7250

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

28 Days From 2835

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

48 Days From 5802

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

15 Days From 3717

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

37 Days From 4260

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

49 Days From 5412

Experience the ultimate African adventure on this epic trip including Kenya, Botswana,...

27 Days From 5295

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

52 Days From 7925

Experience the waterways of Botswana, the beaches of Zanzibar, the savannahs of the...

43 Days From 6112

Take an epic trip through eastern Africa, via Victoria Falls, the Serengeti and...

31 Days From 5545

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

16 Days From 3420

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

3 Days From 1078

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

64 Days From 8946

This epic journey with explores Southern Africa in detail including Botswana, Kenya,...

21 Days From 12591

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

37 Days From 23655

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