Kenya Visa for Indians

Kenya, nestled in East Africa, has diverse landscapes and a rich cultural tapestry. Nairobi, its bustling capital, blends modernity with a deep-rooted history, while coastal cities like Mombasa offer a glimpse into Swahili culture and pristine beaches. Renowned for its wildlife, Kenya boasts some of the world's most famous national parks, making it a magnet for safari enthusiasts. You can visit Kenya for work, tourism, study, and other purposes.

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About Kenya Visa

From the iconic savannahs of the Maasai Mara to the stunning Rift Valley, Kenya's geography is as varied as its people. In January 2024, Kenya announced that it is now a visa-free country.

To enter, Indians only need to fill out an online form called 'Electronic Travel Authorisation' and submit a few documents. Before we get into the details, here's a glimpse into the key facts about Kenya.

Category	Information
Capital	Nairobi
Currency	Kenyan Shilling (KES) (KES 1= INR 0.61)
Language	Swahili and English (official)
Time Zone	East Africa Time (EAT) UTC+3
Popular Tourist Destinations	Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Lamu Island, Tsavo National Park, Lake Nakuru, Nairobi National Park
Visa Validity Period	Single-entry visa: up to 90 days
Kenya Visa Processing Time	Usually processed within 2-3 working days when applying online through the eVisa portal.

Features of a Kenya Visa

Here are some unique features of a Kenya visa:

Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA): Kenya is a visa-free country. However, you need to submit your personal details, documents, and other information through a process called 'Electronic Travel Authorisation' to determine whether you are eligible to visit the country.
Multiple-Entry Option: For frequent travellers or those planning to visit Kenya multiple times within a specified period, a multiple-entry visa (eTA) is an option. This type of visa allows holders to enter and exit the country several times within its validity period.

Documents Required to Apply for a Kenya Visa

You need to submit documents related to your identity, travel purpose, financial means, etc., while submitting your Kenya visa application (eTA application). Here's a table describing the general requirements needed for all types of applications.

Document	Description
Valid passport	A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of arrival. It should have at least one blank page.
Selfie or passport-style photo	A recent photograph of the applicant, meeting the specifications for passport photos.
Contact information	Includes email and phone details for communication purposes during the visa application process.
Entry and departure details	Comprehensive itinerary outlining the planned dates and means of entry and exit.
Hotel booking	Proof of reservations or bookings for accommodation during the stay.
Means of payment	Credit/ debit card,/another acceptable form of payment.
Financial means	Submit financial documents like- 1. A letter from your bank 2. Details of your financial assets
Proof of travel purpose	Submit proof of your travel purpose. 1. Medical treatment: An appointment letter from the doctor or the hospital referring you. Vaccination or results of tests may also be needed. 2. Conference: An invitation/participation letter. 3. Work: Employment contract 4. Resettlement: Evidence supporting plans for resettlement, such as a letter from an organisation or sponsor in Kenya.

Additional Documents for Different Kenya Visa Types

Specific additional documents are required for the following travel purposes.

Documents for those Travelling to Kenya for Business

Document Required	Description
Invitation	A formal invitation from the Kenyan company detailing the purpose and duration of the visit.
Copy of company registration	Proof of the business's registration, verifying its legal status in the country.

Documents for Travellers Visiting Family

Document Required	Description
Invitation	Invitation from the family member or host in Kenya, outlining the relationship and purpose of the visit.
Identity card or Passport/Alien card/Entry permit of the family member/host	Identification document of the family member or host in Kenya.

Documents for Diplomats

Document Required	Description
Diplomatic/Official/Service passport	A passport issued to individuals travelling on official diplomatic missions.
Official letter from India /Organization/Foreign Affairs	Formal correspondence from the originating country or organisation endorsing the diplomatic travel.

Kenya Visa Types

The first step to a successful Kenya visa application is selecting the right visa type. Here's a summary of the various Kenya visa types you can apply for.

Kenya Visa Types	Description	Validity
Single Entry Visa	Issued for a single entry to individuals from nationalities requiring a visa for business, tourism, medical, or other purposes.	90 days from the date of visa issuance
Transit Visa	Issued to individuals from visa-requiring nationalities transiting through Kenya to other destinations. No visa is needed for direct airport transfers.	Up to 72 hours
Multiple Entry Visa	Issued for multiple entries to individuals from visa-requiring nationalities for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, medical, or other reasons.	90 days from the date of visa issuance
Courtesy Visa	Issued to holders of Diplomatic/Official and Service passports for official duties. Also issued to Ordinary passport holders on grounds of international courtesy.	90 days from the date of visa issuance

Visa Guide

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Who Can Apply for a Kenya Visa?

To ensure that your application is accepted, you must meet the Kenya visa requirements. Here's a checklist to help you understand who can apply for a Kenya visa.

Indian citizens planning to travel for studies, work, business, tourism, transit, or other valid travel purposes.
Individuals holding a valid Indian passport that remains valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of arrival in Kenya, with at least one blank page available.
Applicants who have a comprehensive itinerary detailing the dates of arrival and departure from Kenya.
Applicants who can provide a confirmation of hotel bookings for the duration of their stay in Kenya.
Applicants who can submit a document evidencing their travel purpose.

How to Apply for a Kenya Visa?

A visa to Kenya is now replaced by an 'Electronic Visa Authorisation'. The electronic system decides whether you are eligible for a Kenya visa (eTA) or not. All Kenya visa applications are submitted through the e-visa portal. Here are detailed steps explaining how to apply for a Kenya visa.

Step 1: Visit the official Kenya eVisa website

Step 2: Click on the "Apply Now" button on the homepage

Step 3: Select the option for "Tourists and Visitors"

Step 4: Choose whether you are applying as an individual or as a group (up to six travellers can apply together if they are family, a couple, or friends).

Step 5: Select your country of residence as India.

Step 6: Upload a scanned or digital photo of the biographic page of your passport. This page contains your photo, name, and other personal details.

Step 7: Submit the required documents along with your application.

Pay the visa fees using a credit/debit card, or any other accepted method of payment.

After submitting your application and payment, wait for processing. On average, Taiwan visa processing takes about 3 days, but it could take longer depending on the volume of applications.

Kenya Visa Fees

Here's a summary of Kenya visa fees for different types of visas.

Kenya Visa Type	Kenya Visa Fee
Single entry visa (eTA)	USD 32.5 (INR 2719.09)
Multiple Entry visa (eTA)	USD 160 sz (INR 13386.30)

*Visa fee subject to exchange rate fluctuations

How to Check Kenya Visa Status?

Here are the steps explaining how you can check your Kenya visa status (eTA status):

Visit the eTA website
Click on 'Check Your Application'
Enter your document number, date of birth, and referencing number
You can use your passport details if you don't have your referencing number
Click on 'Check Status' to see your Kenya visa status (eTA status)

FAQs

Q1: What is the average Kenya visa processing time?

Ans: Usually, the Kenya visa processing time is 3 days. However, the processing time could take longer depending on each application.
Q2: Can I get my Kenya visa (eTA) urgently?

Ans: If you need to get a Kenya visa from India (eTA) urgently, write a note at the end of your eTA application. After you submit the application, contact the eTA authority through live chat to request urgent processing.
Q3: What can I do if my Kenya visa application (eTA) gets rejected?

Ans: If your eTA application is rejected, you cannot visit Kenya. You can write an email to etakenya[@]immigration.go.ke and explain your situation to get more details about the rejection.
Q4: Can I get a visa on arrival to Kenya?

Ans: No, Kenya stopped issuing on-arrival visas to foreign nationals in 2021.
Q5: Do I need travel insurance to visit Kenya?

Ans: Travel insurance is not a mandatory requirement for a Kenya visa from India (eTA). However, it is highly recommended that you get one.

Travel insurance companies

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Disclaimer: The list of insurers mentioned are arranged according to the alphabetical order of the names of insurers respectively. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. The list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website www.irdai.gov.in