ENTER KENYA WITH CONFIDENCE

Official Visitor Visa & Immigration Guide for
AI EVERYTHING KENYA / GITEX KENYA / STARTUPS NORTH STAR KENYA

May 19–21, 2026

Nairobi, Kenya
Kenyatta International Convention Centre & The Sarit Expo Centre

APPLY FOR VISA CHECK VISA TYPE

KENYA VISA POLICY OVERVIEW

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Most foreign nationals require a visa prior to travel to Kenya. Check Your Eligibility.

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Visa requirements vary by nationality, visit purpose, and duration of stay.

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Applications are processed via eCitizen.

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Early application is strongly recommended for timely processing.

KENYA
VISA POLICY

KENYA VISA POLICY OVERVIEW

1

Most foreign nationals require a visa prior to travel to Kenya.

2

Visa requirements vary by nationality, visit purpose, and intended duration of stay.

3

Applications are primarily processed via eCitizen (Kenya's official eVisa/eTA system).

4

Early application is strongly recommended to ensure timely processing.

 

Disclaimer: Fees are subject to nationality, government updates, and eCitizen portal rates. Please verify current fees on the official eCitizen website.

For business-related travel, please apply under

Business / Conference Travel (Short-Term Business eTA)
This category applies to travellers attending:

Business meetings

Conferences and seminars

Trade events and exhibitions

Short-term professional engagements

(non-employment)

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Yellow Fever Vaccination

  • Required only if arriving from or transiting through a Yellow Fever risk country
  • Based on travel history, not nationality
  • Valid 10 days after vaccination and lasts for life

Malaria Advisory

  • Not mandatory for entry into Kenya
  • Recommended for travel to safari areas, coastal regions, and outside Nairobi
  • Risk in Nairobi is low – medication usually not needed
  • Consult a healthcare provider for suitable medication before travel

ELIGIBILITY & DOCUMENTS

Everything you need to prepare your application

General Eligibility Requirements

Valid Passport

Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond travel date

Blank Pages

At least 1–2 blank pages for visa stamps

Sufficient Funds

Proof of financial means for your stay

Return/Onward Ticket

Confirmed travel out of Kenya

Clean Record

No criminal or immigration violations

Accommodation

Confirmed hotel booking or invitation

Common Required Documents

1

Completed Online Application

Via eCitizen portal (Apply Here)

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2

Passport Bio Page Scan

Clear, high-resolution copy

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3

Passport Photo

White background, recent photo

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4

Flight Itinerary

Round-trip booking confirmation

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5

Hotel Booking or Invitation

Accommodation proof for duration of stay

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6

Bank Statements or Sponsorship

Proof of sufficient funds

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7

Online Payment Confirmation

Visa fee payment receipt

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Additional Documents by Visa Category

business Visa

Employer invitation letter OR invitation from Kenyan company/organization

work Visa (Class D)

Ministry of Labor approval letter and employment contract

student Visa

Official admission letter from accredited Kenyan institution

transit Visa

Confirmed onward ticket departing within 24–72 hours

East Africa Tourist Visa

Regional travel itinerary validation for Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda

APPLICATION PROCESS

Four simple steps to your Kenya visa

1

Select Visa Type

Identify your purpose and select the appropriate visa category for your travel.

2

Apply Online

Visit etakenya.go.ke, create account, upload documents & pay online.

Processing: 2-5 business days
3

Under Review

Embassy processes your application. Embassy appearance may be required for some cases.

4

Approval & Entry

Download eVisa, print copy, and present on arrival at the Kenyan port of entry.

EXEMPTIONS & SPECIAL CASES

Who may be exempt from visa requirements

EAC Citizens Exemption

Citizens of East African Community member states— Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan— are generally exempt from visa requirements under the EAC protocol. Check here for visa exempt countries.

Diplomatic Passport Holders

Holders of valid ddiplomatic or official passports may qualify for diplomatic visa exemptions or simplified processing through government channels.

eVisa Strongly Recommended

While visa-on-arrival is technically available at entry points, it is strongly discouraged. . Apply for an eVisa in advance to avoid long delays, potential denials, and entry complications.

ARRIVAL & HEALTH PROTOCOLS

Essential requirements for entry into Kenya

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Valid Passport

At least 6 months validity beyond your travel date

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Printed eVisa

Download and bring printed copy of your approved eVisa

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Onward Ticket

Confirmed return or onward travel arrangement

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Health Declaration

Complete health declaration form if required at entry

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Yellow Fever Certificate

If applicable: Required if arriving from yellow fever endemic regions (East Africa, West Africa)

⚠ Critical for certain nationalities and previous travels
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Customs Declaration

Comply with customs regulations and declare all required items

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Port of Entry Lanes

Use designated eVisa holder lanes for faster processing

EMBASSY CONTACT DIRECTORY

Kenyan diplomatic missions worldwide

Embassy of Kenya – South Africa

Pretoria

+27 (12) 426–2249

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – Nigeria

Lagos

+234 (1) 2619–5120

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – Egypt

Cairo

+20 (2) 2335–2171

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – USA

Washington, DC

+1 (202) 387–6101

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – Canada

Ottawa

+1 (613) 563–1773

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – UK

London

+44 (20) 7636–2371

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – Belgium (EU)

Brussels

+32 (2) 643–6500

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – China

Beijing

+86 (10) 6532–6301

[email protected]

High Commission of Kenya – India

New Delhi

+91 (11) 4130–1500

[email protected]

High Commission of Kenya – Singapore

Singapore

+65 6235–2850

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – South Africa

Pretoria

+27 (12) 426–2249

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – Nigeria

Lagos

+234 (1) 2619–5120

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – Egypt

Cairo

+20 (2) 2335–2171

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – USA

Washington, DC

+1 (202) 387–6101

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – Canada

Ottawa

+1 (613) 563–1773

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – UK

London

+44 (20) 7636–2371

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – Belgium (EU)

Brussels

+32 (2) 643–6500

[email protected]

Embassy of Kenya – China

Beijing

+86 (10) 6532–6301

[email protected]

High Commission of Kenya – India

New Delhi

+91 (11) 4130–1500

[email protected]

High Commission of Kenya – Singapore

Singapore

+65 6235–2850

[email protected]

IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE TIPS

Executive advisory for smooth entry

1

Keep Printed & Digital Copies

Carry both printed and digital versions of your eVisa, passport scan, and key documents on your phone and in your carry-on luggage.

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2

Be Clear on Visit Purpose

Clearly articulate your visit purpose (conference attendee, investor, startup founder) and alignment with AI Everything Kenya event objectives.

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3

Declare Restricted Items

Comply with customs regulations. Declare any electronics, medications, or items subject to import restrictions proactively.

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4

Respect Visa Validity

Do not overstay your authorized period. Depart before your visa validity expires to avoid future entry complications.

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5

Use Proper Visa Lanes

At entry ports, look for dedicated eVisa holder lanes and queue accordingly for faster, prioritized processing.

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6

Maintain Professional Conduct

Present yourself professionally at immigration checkpoints. Clear communication and transparency facilitate smooth entry.

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7

Validate Visa Category Alignment

Ensure your stated activities align with your visa category. Misalignment can result in denial of entry or future visa complications.

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8

Follow Health Protocols

Comply with all health requirements, including vaccination certificates and health declarations as mandated by current regulations.

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AI EVERYTHING KENYA
× GITEX KENYA

The Kenya eTA is a mandatory single-entry travel authorization that replaces the traditional visa, does not permit employment, and should be applied for at least 3–7 days before travel.

Visa-Required Nationalities

COUNTRIES REQUIRING VISA

  • Abkhazia
  • Afghanistan
  • Aland Islands
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • American Samoa
  • Andorra
  • Angola
  • Anguilla
  • Antarctica
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Aruba
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Benin
  • Bermuda
  • Bhutan
  • Bolivia
  • Bonaire
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bouvet Island
  • Brazil
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Bulgaria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Cape Verde
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chad
  • Chile
  • China
  • Christmas Island
  • Cocos (Keeling) Islands
  • Colombia
  • Cook Islands
  • Costa Rica
  • Cote d'Ivoire
  • Croatia
  • Curacao
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Djibouti
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Estonia
  • Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
  • Faroe Islands
  • Finland
  • France
  • French Guiana
  • French Polynesia
  • French Southern Territories
  • Gabon
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Gibraltar
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Guadeloupe
  • Guam
  • Guatemala
  • Guernsey
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Haiti
  • Heard Island and McDonald Islands
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Isle of Man
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Jersey
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Korea, Republic of (South)
  • Kosovo
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Laos
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Macedonia, Republic of
  • Madagascar
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Martinique
  • Mauritania
  • Mayotte
  • Mexico
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Montserrat
  • Morocco
  • Myanmar
  • Nagorno-Karabakh
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Niue
  • Norfolk Island
  • Northern Cyprus
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palau
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Pitcairn
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Qatar
  • Reunion
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
  • Saint Barthelemy
  • Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
  • Saint Martin
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Seychelles
  • Sint Maarten
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
  • South Ossetia
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Suriname
  • Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Thailand
  • Timor-Leste
  • Togo
  • Tokelau
  • Transnistria
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • US Virgin Islands
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States Minor Outlying Islands
  • United States of America
  • Uruguay
  • Vatican City (Holy See)
  • Vietnam
  • Wallis and Futuna
  • Western Sahara

VISA FREE COUNTRIES

  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • Brunei
  • Burundi
  • Comoros
  • Congo, Democratic Republic of the
  • Cyprus
  • Dominica
  • Ethiopia
  • Fiji
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Jamaica
  • Kiribati
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nauru
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Rwanda
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • Swaziland
  • Tanzania
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Vanuatu
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe