How long does visa processing take in Kenya

Kenya is an east-African country known for its unmatchable beauty and wildlife. The country is known as the "Land of Five," referring to lions, buffalos, leopards, rhinos, and elephants. Each year, millions of tourists visit Kenya to explore the adventurous wildlife.

Before you travel to Kenya, the most important thing that you need is a visa. As Kenya offers different types of visas, the processing time varies as well. In this article, we have discussed in detail about Kenya visa types and how to apply for them!

So, without further ado, let's get into it!

Types of Kenya Visas

The Kenyan government has stopped the traditional visa application process. This means you can apply for a Kenyan visa online from the comfort of your home. No need to visit the Kenya embassy or consulate office. All you need to do is visit VisaHQ and apply for a Kenya visa online!

Currently, foreign citizens can apply for the following types of Kenyan e-visa applications online:

Tourist Visa

If you want to visit Kenya for tourism purposes, you can apply for a tourist e-visa. This travel document is valid for those who want to:

  • Visit relatives

  • Spend holidays

  • Explore the country

A Kenya tourist visa is a single-entry visa that stays valid for 90 consecutive days. Keep in mind that children under 16 years of age are exempt from getting a tourist visa. All they need is their parent's passport bio-data page.

Processing Time

The average processing time for a Kenya tourist visa is 3-5 business days.

Business Visa

Foreign nationals who want to enter Kenya for professional and commercial activities are required to apply for a business visa. Kenya offers different types of business visas, depending on the validity period.

You can apply for a single-entry travel document that stays valid for 90 days or a multiple-entry visa that comes with a validity period of either 1 year or 5 years. Regardless of your selected visa type, you can stay in the country for 90 consecutive days.

Processing Time

Whether you apply for a single-entry visa or a multiple-entry travel document, the embassy can take 3-5 business days to process your application.

Courtesy Visa

A courtesy visa is issued if a public institute of Kenya invites a foreign national to enter the country to perform activities for the State. A Kenya courtesy visa is a single-entry travel document that comes with a validity period of 90 days.

Processing Time

For a courtesy visa, you don't need to pay an embassy fee. The average processing time for a courtesy visa is 2-3 business days.

Transit Visa

In case an international traveler wants to transit through Kenya, he/she is required to apply for a transit visa. Kenya offers a 90-day transit visa that allows you to stay in the country for 3 consecutive days.

Processing Time

The processing time for a transit visa varies from applicant to applicant. The average processing time for this visa option is 2-3 business days.

East-Africa Visa

An east-Africa visa permits a holder to enter multiple east-African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. It's perfect for those who want to explore the wildlife of east-Africa. It is valid for multiple entries with a 90-day period.

Processing Time

On average, it can take up to 6 business days to get an approved east-Africa visa.

How to Apply for a Kenya Visa?

The Kenya online visa is nothing if not convenient. You can apply for this travel document from the comfort of your home. All you need is a stable internet connection and a mobile device or laptop.

To apply for a Kenya visa online, follow the following step-by-step guide:

  1. Visit VisaHQ

  2. Select your citizenship and travel destination

  3. Fill out the Kenya visa application form

  4. Pay the visa processing fees

  5. Submit Kenya e-visa application form with supporting documents

Depending on your selected visa option, it'll only take 10-15 minutes to complete this process. Before you submit your application form, make sure to double-check the provided data. This is because if there are errors or mistakes in your application, the embassy will most likely decline or delay your visa.

Kenya Visa Requirements

To get a Kenya visa, there are a few required documents that you must have! Three of the most basic Kenya visa requirements are as follows:

  • Valid Passport - You must have a passport valid for at least 6 more months with 2 blank pages for visa stamps

  • E-mail Address - Make sure you use your own active email address. This is because your email will be linked electronically to your passport, and you'll get your approved Kenya visa via email

  • Means of Payment - As this entire process is streamlined, you need online payment methods to pay the visa fee

Besides these, you need some supporting documents, depending on your selected visa option. You can visit VisaHQ to find out all of the necessary required documents for a Kenya visa.

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    This article was published by VisaHQ, a world leader in visa processing. Since 2003, VisaHQ has 20 offices in 6 countries and has helped countless tourist, business travellers, diplomats, workers, and students obtain their visa. With a 4.41 star rating on Reviews.io, VisaHQ is committed to innovation, service, security, and simplicity in the visa application process.
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