UPDATE ON THE NEW KENYA EVISA PROCEDURES

Update – Sep 4, 2015:

Following the implementation of E-VISA application for all visitors to Kenya, the following has been agreed upon by Kenya Airways and Kenyan Immigration:

1. There will be four counters available in Nairobi for those who have not submitted their e-visa application to do so on arrival. However passengers should be aware that there will be long queues on this counters and the approval process takes a while. As such their entry into Kenya may be delayed.
2. The counters will remain open for a period of 60 days after which there may be withdrawal of this service.
3. Payments will only be made by means of a debit card only. Cash and credit cards will not be accepted.

No guest coming to Nairobi should be denied boarding due to nil E-visa application however they should be informed that the process may be tedious and time consuming and would be better off applying online before taking their flight.

Things you will need to apply for the Kenyan eVisa

1. A Digital Passport Photo of 500px x 500px max.
2. Know the type of Visa you need.
3. Scanned copy or photo of the biodata page on your passport (the page with your photo, name and biographical data).
4. A credit card for online payment (Visa or MasterCard Credit or Debit card).
5. Additional Documents e.g. Invitation letter, Hotel Booking or travel Itinerary.

Types of Visas for Visiting Kenya

The type of visa you must have is defined by the Kenyan and Visa Regulations, and relates to the purpose of your travel.

1. Single Journey Visa : Issued for Single or Multiple entries to persons whose nationalities require visas to enter Kenya. Used for both business and tourism.
2. Transit Visa : Issued for periods not exceeding three days to persons whose nationalities require visas to enter Kenya and who intend to transit through Kenya to a different destination.
3. Diplomatic Visa : Issued for Single or Multiple entries to holders of Diplomatic passports who are on official duty. Coming Soon
4. Courtesy / Official Visa : Issued to persons holding Official or Service passports on Official duty and to Ordinary passport holders who are not entitled to a Diplomatic visa; but where it is considered by the Director to be desirable on the grounds of international courtesy. Coming Soon
5. East Africa Tourist Visa : This is a joint tourist visa that entitles holders to travel to and within the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Uganda for the purpose of tourism. Validity of East Africa Tourist Visa: 90 (Ninety days) Multiple Entry. Coming Soon

Costs of Kenyan Visas

How to apply for an Kenyan eVisa online

1. Visit http://evisa.go.ke/ and click on the Create an Account .
2. Fill out your registration information and click on Continue .
3. You will see a message to verify your email address.
4. Click on the verification link on your activation email.
5. Once you click on the verification link, you will see a page on the eVisa website saying your account has been verified. Click on Next .
6. You will be asked to upload your photo. Click on Choose file , locate your photo, resize it, and then click on Continue .
7. Click Get Service Now under Department of Immigration Services.
8. Click on Submit Application .
9. Select Kenyan Visa .
10. Choose the appropriate visa by clicking on the blue title. For tourists click on 1. Apply for a Single Entry Visa .
11. Review the information on Types of Visa and then click on Apply Now .
12. Complete the application accurately, process payment, and you should receive a confirmation in your email once the Visa has been approved. You can then login to eVisa website to print out your Visa to present at the port of entry.

Things to note when applying for a Kenyan eVisa

1. Visa processing fee is non refundable.
2. Incomplete applications will be rejected and reapplication means you will have to pay the processing fee again.
3. The possession 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 offense.
5. A visa is required prior to entry into The Republic of Kenya.
6. The eVisa printout must be presented at the port of entry.
7. 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.
8. The 90-Day Visa Validity commences from the date of E-Visa approval … not of one’s arrival into Kenya. Visitors are therefore urged not to apply too early.
9. There are some web browsers (e.g. Internet Explorer) that for one reason or another are experiencing problems with the E-Visa portal. We recommend that clients use Google Chrome which has been found to be quite effective.
10. The E-Visa Portal is mobile enabled and one can complete the application from a mobile phone – including taking and uploading a picture from the phone.
11. The inclusion of additional languages is still pending but Google Chrome has the ability to translate the entire website into a language of your choice.
12. It should take between 12 – 24hours to receive the E-Visa approval. The official timeline given is however about 48hours.
13. The required photo can be uploaded from a mobile phone – no special equipment (scanners) is necessarily required.
14. Tourists can upload their tour itinerary and not necessarily an “invitation letter”.
15. The Single Entry Visa to Kenya allows for free re-entry to Kenya as long as one is travelling within the EAC countries.
16. The EAC Tourist Visa allowing travel to Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda is not available online. This can only be applied for and issued on arrival at the Airport.
17. For a limited duration of Two months, Immigration will have E-Visa Terminals whereby visitors arriving without E-Visas can apply for them at JKIA. Clients are however encouraged to apply for the E-Visa to avoid unnecessary delays at the Airport.
18. At this point in time Airlines should NOT deny boarding to a traveller on account of lack of the E- Visa – unless such persons are from nationalities required to have the Visa before coming to Kenya.