The Kenyan government has stopped the traditional visa processing system. This means you don't have to visit the Kenya embassy or consulate office to apply for a travel document. Plus, you don't even have to schedule a visa interview.
Now, the entire visa application process for a Kenyan visa is streamlined. You can complete the entire process online through VisaHQ. Continue reading to learn about Kenya visa types and their validity period.
Validity Period Of Kenya Visa
Kenya is known for its national parks and reserves. The country is usually referred to as the "land of five" due to lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards, and buffalos. Each year, millions of international travelers visit Kenya to explore the natural beauty of this east-African country!
However, to enter Kenya, you must obtain a valid travel document beforehand. The national government offers different types of visas for different purposes. The following are some of the common Kenya visa options and their validity period:
Tourist Visa
For tourism and leisure, Kenya offers tourist e-visa. This online visa is perfect for you if you want to explore the country or visit relatives. This one is a single-entry visa that comes with a validity period of 90 days.
Except for children under 16 years of age, all foreign nationals are required to apply for a tourist visa. Instead of a tourist e-visa, minors need to show a copy of their parent's passport bio-data page.
Business Visa
If you want to enter Kenya for commercial and professional purposes, you can apply online for a business visa. When it comes to a validity period, Kenya offers different types of business visas, including single-entry (90-day) visas, multiple-entry (1-year) visas, and multiple-entry (5-year) visas.
Regardless of your selected visa type, all of the above-mentioned Kenyan business visas allow you to stay in Kenya for 90 consecutive days. If you have a multiple-entry visa, you can re-enter the country after 90 days!
Courtesy Visa
A courtesy visa is required if a public institute from Kenya invites you to visit the country to perform activities for the state. The Kenyan government offers a single-entry courtesy visa with a validity period of 90 days. You don't have to pay the embassy fee for this visa variation; all you need to do is pay the service fee.
Transit Visa
In case you are transiting through the country, you're required to apply for a transit visa. Although Kenya transit e-visa is valid for 90 days, it permits holders to stay in the country for just 3 consecutive days.
East-Africa Visa
An east-Africa visa allows holders to visit multiple east-African countries, including Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. This travel document is valid for multiple entries within a 90-day period.
Kenya eVisa Requirements
Before you apply for a Kenya visa, there are a few documents required to complete the application process, also known as the visa requirements. Three of the most basic Kenya visa requirements include:
Valid passport - You must have a valid passport issued by your country. Make sure your passport has at least 2 blank pages and 6 months of remaining validity
E-mail address - Applicant's email address will be linked electronically to their passport. Moreover, you'll get your approved Kenyan visa via email
Means of payment - As this entire process is streamlined, you need online payment options to pay the visa processing fee. You can use a PayPal account, credit card, or debit card
Besides these, you'll need some additional supporting documents, depending on your nationality and selected visa type. You can visit VisaHQ to find out all of the necessary Kenya visa requirements for your country.
How To Apply For A Kenya Visa Online?
Unlike a traditional visa, you can apply for an e-visa from the comfort of your home. It's a straightforward process. All you need to do is visit VisaHQ, select your citizenship and travel destination, and follow the following steps:
Fill out the online visa application form
Pay the visa fee
Submit your e-visa application with supporting documents
Before you submit your application, make sure to double-check the provided information. This is because if there are mistakes or errors in your online form, the embassy will most likely delay or deny your visa.
To fill out the visa application form, you're required to provide personal, contact, travel, and passport details, including:
Full name
Nationality
Date of birth
Passport photo
Passport number
Passport issue and expiry date
Travel itinerary
Travel plans
Once you submit your application, the embassy will process it, and you'll get your approved visa via email. Generally speaking, the average processing time for a Kenya e-visa is 3-5 business days. However, it's advised to submit your application at least 2 weeks prior to the intended arrival date to avoid issues.