Kenya is one of the most beautiful and popular African countries, so it’s no surprise why a lot of people want to visit this destination. It has a variety of wonderful attractions, great beaches and contrasting landscapes, coupled with a brilliant diversity of wildlife and a vibrant culture to go with it, too.
You will be charmed by the dynamism of the urban city life and be intrigued by the traditional locals in the remote villages. Kenya has something to offer everyone and I truly believe that it is the apple of East Africa’s eye.
Acquiring a visa for entry in Kenya couldn’t be simpler, with the country recently instituting online applications to make the process easier. Kenya is no longer allowing visas on arrival, so be sure to apply in advance to avoid an unpleasant airport experience!
Who Needs a Visa?
With the exception of these countries, Bahamas, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Barbados, Malaysia, Malta,Singapore, Botswana, Burundi, Maldives Solomon Islands, Brunei, Darussalam, Mauritius, Swaziland, Cyprus, Mozambique,Tanzania, Fiji Islands, Namibia, Tonga, The Gambia, Nauru, Trinidad & Tobago, Ghana, Papua, New Guinea,Tuvalu, Grenada, Rwanda, St.Lucia, Uganda, Jamaica, St.Vincent & Grenadines, Vanuatu, BKiribati, Samoa, Zambia, Lesotho, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, all countries require a visa to enter Kenya.
Types of Visas
Single entry: This visa type allows you to enter Kenya just once. Single entry visas are valid for up to 90 days and generally take around 2 days to process. Currently, it costs $102 to apply for one.
Transit: Allows you to stay in the country for a short stopover and lasts up to 3 days. This is good for if you have long lay-over flights. A transit visa is only needed if you are stopping over in Kenya for more than 24 hours. The fee for this is $20.
Multiple entries: This visa type lets you enter the country multiple times. The fee for this is $100.
Visa Requirements
A passport that is valid for at least six months, travel itinerary such as copy of round trip tickets, coloured passport photographs, copy of confirmed hotel reservations and eVisa print out from https://www.ecitizen.go.ke/
How to Apply Online
When applying for a Kenyan visa online, you first need to register an account at eCitizen. From here, you can access a number of government services.
To apply, follow the steps as below:
– Click on the ‘eVisa’ on https://www.ecitizen.go.ke/
– Create an account;
– Select the visa type you want, then fill out the application form once you have read all the information carefully;
– Pay using your bank card. It can be a visa, debit or Mastercard;
– Wait for the approval email, then download and print your eVisa. You can do this from your eCitizen account;
– Be ready to show your visa to the immigration officer upon arrival in Kenya.
This article was written by KRISTIE OMAR.
