Overview

The Directorate of Immigration Services has launched evisa.go.ke which allows visitors to apply for the Republic of Kenya evisa online without having to visit a Kenyan diplomatic mission, or obtain the visa on arrival.

What is an eVisa

An eVisa is an authorization document issued in PDF format which allows visitors to travel to a Kenyan entry point. The eVisa should be presented to an immigration officer at any point of entry who grants the right to enter the Republic of Kenya by issuing visitors pass and endorsing it on the holders passport.

Validity of an eVisa

Category 2 Single Entry Visa is valid for travel within 3months from the date of issue. Category 3 Single Entry Visa is valid for travel within 1 month from the date of issue.

How to verify an eVisa

The visa is accessible for viewing by your airline, or at port, through an electronic system managed by the Kenyan Government. Once the e visa is issued, the holder can travel to an entry point where their passport will be stamped then they are allowed entry. Verify your evisa below.

Verify your eVisa

Application steps

In order to apply for an eVisa, visitors should:

1. Click on Create an account.
2. Click on Evisa Application
3. Fill Application form
4. Pay Using Visa Card, Mastercard and other debit or credit cards.
5. Await approval then download and print the eVisa from your eVisa account.
6. Present your printed eVisa to the immigration officer at the port of entry.

Points to note

1. Visa processing fee is non refundable.
2. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
3. The possesion of an eVisa is not the final Authority to enter The Republic of Kenya.
4. Engaging in any form of business or employment without a requisite permit or pass is an offence.
5. A visa is required prior to entry into The Republic of Kenya.
6. The e-Visa printout must be presented at the port of entry.
7. It should take atleast 2 working days to get your eVisa.
8. Each adult visitor to the Republic of Kenya is required to submit evisa applications in their personal eVisa account. Parents can apply for their children in the parents account.

Categories of Visas

Passport holders traveling to the Republic of Kenya are divided into 3 categories.

1. Category 1 - Nationals and Persons who do not require visas to enter Kenya.
2. Category 2 - Nationals issued with Visas on application.
3. Category 3 - Countries and Persons who require referred Visas.

Category 1

A. All persons holding valid passports issued by Country of Nationality under - Category 1

B. Persons

1. Children under category 2 and are aged below sixteen years.
2. All persons whose passports are endorsed with valid Kenya re-entry passes or any other written authority in lieu of a re-entry pass.
3. All passengers arriving and leaving by the same ship, and who don’t leave the ship.
4. All passengers in transit through Kenya arriving and leaving by the same aircraft or transferring to another aircraft and who do not leave the international transit lounges at the international airports in Kenya.
5. Holders of United Nations Organization Laissez-Passers whilst on official UN Business.
6. Holders of African Union Laissez-Passers whilst on official UN business.
7. Holders of African Development Bank Laissez-Passers whilst on official ADB business.
8. Holders of Arab Bank for Economic Development in Laissez-Passers whilst on official ABEDA business.
9. Holders of International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa Laissez-Passers whilst on official I.R.I.C.O. business.
10. Holders of Desert Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa Laissez-Passers whilst on official D.I.C.O. business.
11. Holders of COMESA Laissez-Passers whilst on official COMESA business.
12. Holders of International Monetary Fund and World Bank Laissez-Passers whilst on official IMF/World Bank business.
13. Holders of Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Laissez-Passers whilst official IGAD business.
14. Holders of African Airlines Travel Association (IATA) Laissez-Passers whilst on official business.
15. Holders of Environment Liaison Centre International Laissez-Passers whilst on official ELCI business.
16. Holders of Union of Radio, Television Network of Africa (URTNA) Laissez-Passers whilst on official URTNA business.
17. Holders of International Labour Organization (ILO) Laissez-Passers whilst on official ILO business.
18. Holders of Preferential Trade Area/Common Market of East & Southern Africa bank Laissez-Passers whilst on official PTA/COMESA business.
19. Holders of European Union Laissez-Passers whilst on official European Union Business.
20. Holders of CIP (International Potato Centre) Laissez-Passers whilst on official CIP business.
21. Holders of African Reinsurance Corporation (ARC) Laissez-Passers whilst on official ARC business.
22. Holders of African Housing Fund (AHF) Laissez-Passers whilst on official AHF business.
23. The Islamic Republic of Iran for a period not exceeding (30) days stay.
24. Holders of Diplomatic Official, Special and Service Passports, from the Republic of Turkey and members of their families holding valid Diplomatic, Official, Special and Service Passports, while on Transit or Stay not exceeding ninety (90) days.
25. Holders of Diplomatic, Official, or Service Passports from the Federal Republic of Brazil for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days.
26. Serving Members of the British Military (are exempted from visa formalities).
27. The manifested crew of ships and aircrafts passing through or stopping in Kenya for periods not exceeding seven (7) days in the case of aircrew and fourteen (14) days for ship’s crew.
28. Owners of private aircraft stopping over for refueling in Kenya and who do not leave the precincts of the airport.

Category 2

Visas under this category are processed within 48hours

A. All persons holding valid passports issued by Country of Nationality under - Category 2

Category 3

A. All persons holding valid passports issued by Country of Nationality under - Category 3

B. Stateless persons not holding valid passports/documents issued by their own Country of Nationality.

C. Prohibited Immigrants

D.Multiple entry visas and 5 year Multiple Entry. Visas under this category are processed within 14 working days

Contacts

1. Telephone Number: +254202222022
2. Email address: evisa@immigration.go.ke