As the Kenyan government has stopped the traditional visa application process, the entire process has become more streamlined. This means applicants are no longer required to visit the Kenya embassy to get a travel document. They can apply for a Kenyan visa from the comfort of their home.
Kenya has set different visa policies for different nationality holders. While some foreign nationals enjoy visa exemptions, others must obtain a valid travel document to enter Kenya. In this article, we have discussed about Kenya visas for Canadian citizens!
Kenya Visa Options For Canadians
Except for children under 16 years of age, all Canadian citizens are required to apply for a valid visa before traveling to Kenya. Fortunately, Kenya has started the electronic visa issuance system that allows Canadian passport holders to apply for an e-visa online!
If you are a travel document holder, you are not eligible for a Kenya e-visa. In that scenario, you'll need to apply for a referral visa. Besides that, the Kenya government offers the following type of e-visas to Canadian national passport holders:
Tourist e-Visa
For tourism and leisure purposes, you can apply for a tourist e-visa. This travel document allows you to stay in the country for 90 consecutive days. It's available in two variations; single-entry visa and multiple-entry visa.
While a single-entry Kenya e-visa is valid for 90 days, a multiple-entry travel document comes with a validity period of 1 year. You can apply for a Kenya tourist visa if you want to:
Visit relatives
Explore the country
Spend holidays
Business e-Visa
If Canadian citizens want to enter Kenya for commercial and professional purposes, such as meeting with business associates and attending seminars, training programs, and conferences, they are required to apply for a Kenya business e-visa.
This one is also available in different variations, including single-entry (90-day) visa and multiple-entry (1-year) visa. You can use a Kenya e-visa to stay in the country for 90 consecutive days.
Kenya Visa Requirements
Before you apply for a Kenya visa, there are a few things you need to consider. First of all, you need to make sure you have Canadian passport valid for at least 6 more months and one blank visa page. In addition, you need the following required documents to apply for a Kenya visa:
Photograph - Applicants are required to provide a passport-style photograph with a white background, preferably taken within the last 6 months
Proof of Accommodation - A copy of the hotel reservation and any other lodgings
Business Registration - For a business e-visa, you need to provide the company registration certificate of the sponsoring company located in Kenya
Business Invitation letter - The invitation letter from the sponsoring company, address to the "Consulate of Kenya, Visa Section"
COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate - It's recommended to obtain a negative COVID-19 vaccination certificate to avoid self-isolation
Besides these, you also need online means of payment, such as a debit card, credit card, or PayPal account. Moreover, all travelers entering Kenya are required to obtain a health declaration form within 72 hours prior to the flight confirmation.
You can get your health declaration form online via VisaHQ. The processing time for the health form is 24 hours. However, it's recommended to apply for your online form at least 2 days before the intended departure date.
How To Apply Online For Kenya Visa From Canada?
Applying for a Kenya e-visa online is a straightforward process. You don't have to visit the embassy, follow complicated procedures, or schedule a visa interview. All you need to do is visit VisaHQ, select your destination and citizenship, and follow the following steps:
Fill out the Kenya visa application form
Pay the visa fee
Submit your online form with supporting documents
You can complete this entire process within 10-15 minutes. Afterward, the Kenya embassy will process your application. If everything is ok, you'll get your travel document via email.
It's noteworthy to mention here that your e-visa application form is the most important thing to get a travel document. To fill out the visa application form, you need to provide the following data:
Name and surname
Date of birth
Nationality
Passport front cover page
Passport issue and expiry date
Passport number
Phone number
Email address
Travel plans
Make sure to double-check the provided data to ensure there are no errors or mistakes in your application. Otherwise, your e-visa will be delayed or denied by the Kenya embassy.]
Processing Time
The processing time for a Kenya visa varies from applicant to applicant. On average, it can take around 3-5 business days to get an e-visa and 24 hours to get a health declaration form. However, due to secondary checks and high demand, you may need to wait a little longer. Therefore, it's advised to apply for a Kenya e-visa at least 2 weeks prior to the intended departure date.