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..

COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR EVISA

Following complaints arising from failure in Evisa payments, the State Department for Interior and Citizen Services has clarified as follows:

  • 2021: Payment for Evisa are sometimes declined due to insufficient funds or restrictions by the applicant’s bank;
  • 2022: The 3D secure protection/restriction that had been enforced was removed on 9th November, 2021. Users now only require visa/master card to make payments.

The Ministry of Interior through the Office of the Director General has dedicated Mobile telephone Number: +254 110922062 to address any other challenges and to assist applicants who may have difficulties while making payments.

Payment complaints or queries can also be channeled to Evisa email address; evisa@immigration.go.ke

Visa Regulations

A visa is required for entry by all visitors traveling to Kenya, with the exception of those who fall under the following categories:

  1. Persons in possession of valid permit or pass.
  2. Ship’s passengers arriving and departing by the same ship, and who do not leave the ship.
  3. Aircraft passengers transiting through Kenya, and who do not leave the international transit area of the international airport in Kenya.
  4. Holders of a laissez-passer issued by one of the organizations listed here below (a-q), while on official business for the organization in question, and upon presentation of an official document from this organization:
    1. United Nations (UN)
    2. African Union (AU)
    3. African Development Bank (AfDB)
    4. Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)
    5. International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa (IRLCO-CSA)
    6. Desert Locust Control Organization (DLCO)
    7. Common Market for Eastern & Southern Africa (COMESA)
    8. International Monetary Fund and World Bank (IMF/World Bank)
    9. Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
    10. African Airlines Travel Association (IATA)
    11. Environment Liaison Centre International (ELCI)
    12. Union of Radio, Television Network of Africa (URTNA)
    13. International Labor Organization (ILO)
    14. Preferential Trade Area/Common Market of East & Southern African Bank (PTA/COMESA)
    15. European Union (EU)
    16. International Potato Centre (CIP)
    17. African Reinsurance Corporation (ARC)
  5. Diplomatic and Service Passports from The Islamic Republic of Iran for a period not exceeding (30) Days stay.
  6. 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.
  7. Diplomatic, Official or Service Passports from the Federal Republic of Brazil for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days.
  8. Serving Members of the British Military (are exempted from visa formalities).
  9. The manifested crew of ships and aircraft passing through or stopping in Kenya for periods not exceeding seven (7) days in the case of air crew and fourteen (14) days for ship’s crew.
  10. Owners of private aircraft stopping over for refueling in Kenya and who do not leave the precincts of the airport.

Citizens of countries whose nationals do NOT require visas

Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Benin
Botswana
Brunei Darussalam
Burundi
Cyprus
Dominica
Ethiopia
Fiji Island
Gambia
Ghana
Grenada
Jamaica		 Kiribati
Lesotho
Malawi
Maldives
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Papua New Guinea
Rwanda
Samoa
San Marino
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore		 Solomon Islands
St. Lucia
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Swaziland
Tanzania
Tonga
Trinidad & Tobago
Tuvalu
Uganda
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Countries whose nationals do NOT require visas if they stay in Kenya for MAXIMUM ONE MONTH:

  • Malaysia
  • South Africa

Citizens of countries whose nationals may be issued with visas on application provided that they meet the requirements of Visa Regulations

Albania
Algeria;
Andorra
Angola
Antigua & Bermuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central African Rep.
Chad
Chile
China (People’s Republic)
Columbia
Comoros
Congo,Republic of the (Congo Brazzaville)
Costa Rica
Cote d’ Ivoire/ Ivory Coast
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominican Rep
Congo,Democratic Republic of the (Congo Kinshasa)
East Timor
Egypt
El Salvador
Ecuador
Equatorial Guinea
Estonia
Finland
France		 Guyana
Gabon
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Greenland
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Haiti
Hong Kong (SAR)
MACAU (SAR)
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kampuchea
Kazakhstan
Kirghistan
Korea (South)
Kuwait
Laos
Lativia
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg Macedonia
Madagascar
Malagasy
Mali
Malta
Mauritania
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Morocco
Myanmar (formally Burma)
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand		 Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Reunion
Romania
Russia
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia and Montenegro
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sri Lanka
South Sudan
Sudan
Surinam
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan (Endorsement made on a paper visitor’s pass)
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
United States of America
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yugoslavia-and also Former States of Yugoslavia

Countries whose nationals are REFFERED to the Director of Immigration Services, Nairobi, for approval

Afghanistan
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Eritrea
Iraq		 Kosovo
Lebanon
Libya
North Korea
Palestine		 Somalia
Syria
Tajikistan
Yemen

Stateless persons and holders of refugee travel documents are also referred to the Director of Immigration Services.