Visas
Visa applications can be processed through both manual and online systems. The online application system is wholly managed by the Immigration Department in Nairobi.
Consequently, visitors can obtain visas by applying;
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- Online through e-visa website
- At the Kenya Embassy
- At Ports of Entry on arrival in Kenya
The following categories of visas are issued at the Embassy;
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- Single Entry (Tourists/Visitor/Business)
- Diplomatic Visa
- Multiple entry Visa
- East Africa Tourist Visa
- Referred Visa
- Transit Visa
Visa processing at the Embassy takes 4 working days.
Kindly note that the visa processing fees are non-refundable and non-transferable
Single Entry (Tourists/Visitor/Business)
Requirements
- Duly filled application form 22. Click to download
- A national original passport that is valid for at least six (6) months and has two (2) blank pages
- One recent passport standard size coloured photograph taken on white background
- Visa processing fee of €40 payable by Postal Order/ Company Bankers Cheque or Bank draft
- Flight itinerary and ticket.
- Personal letter stating the purpose and the duration of stay
- A certified self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your passport(s) (for postal applications). The envelope should have sufficient return postage.
- A copy of Ireland Resident Permit or work permit/ student visa for non-Irish passport holders.
- A letter from the host and Local company indicating the full address and contact details (in case of a business trip)
- An invitation letter indicating full address, contact details, clear coloured copy of ID or Passport of the invitee in case of visiting friends/family
- Accommodation bookings
- Minors (under 18) travelling on their own require written consent from both parents.
- Invitation letter and a clear coloured copy of ID or Passport for the business or Humanitarian visitors
- A business Visa allows you to attend conferences, workshops, seminars or discussions BUT does not allow you to work in Kenya. Those who wish to work in Kenya (paid or unpaid) require authorization from The Director of Immigration Services in Nairobi (P.O. Box 30191, Nairobi Kenya). This can be done by your contact in Kenya. For more information, please visit the Kenyan immigration website
Diplomatic Official Visa
Requirements
- Diplomatic Note (Note Verbal) confirming that holder is travelling on official duty
- A valid national Diplomatic/Official/Service passport (with minimum validity of six (6) months or more with at least two (2) blank pages)
- Duly filled application form 22. Click to download
- One recent coloured passport sized photograph taken on white background.
- Payment is not required (Diplomatic visas are issued gratis)
Multiple Journey Visa (MJV)
All Multiple entry visa applications are referred to the Immigration Department in Nairobi for processing.
Requirements
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- Visa Application Form duly filled, signed and dated Click to download
- Three (3) recent passport standard size photograph taken on white background
- Old or current passport(s) with previous visas to Kenya
- Official Invitation letter from the host company in Kenya
- Clear coloured copy of the ID from the host company contact person
- Copy of company registration certificate of the host company
- Official letter from your company stating the nature of your business trip to Kenya
- A national original passport that is valid for at least one (1) year and has two (2) blank pages;
- Visa processing fee of €12 payable by Postal Order/ Company Bankers Cheque or Bank draft
- Kindly note that €80 is payable upon approval of the visa
Note:
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- Passports should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of intended entry into Kenya.
- The application takes at least 8 working weeks.
N.B. Kindly note that the applications are usually forwarded to Immigration Department, Nairobi for processing and the Embassy has no control over the length of time your application will take. - A certified self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your passport(s) (for postal applications). The envelope should have sufficient return postage.
All application letters should be addressed to:
THE AMBASSADOR
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA
11 ELGIN ROAD, BALLSBRIDGE
DUBLIN 4 D04 YW13,
ATTN: CONSULAR & VISA SECTION
- Applicants applying for visa to visit spouses in Kenya should avail:
- Copy of marriage certificate
- Copy of Passport/National ID of spouse
- Copy of residence/work permit for spouse if not Kenyan
- Applicants applying for visa to visit their children schooling in Kenya should include:
- Copy of Child’s birth Certificate
- Copy of Child’s passport
- Copy of child’s student/pupil pass
- Non-Irish Citizens should provide applicant’s copy of Irish residence in addition to the above
- Any other document as may be required and are applicable to specific applicants.
Note: Minors (under 18) travelling on their own require written consent from their parents.
Referred Visas
Holders of any Travel Documents/Certificates of Identity shall have their visa applications referred to the Director of Immigration Services, Nairobi for approval:
Requirements
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- Visa application Form 22 duly filled and should include telephone numbers. Click to download
- Three (3) Clear coloured passport size photographs (both ears should be visible, no hats or scarfs except for the Muslim women, no hair covering the forehead and no reflections in case wearing eye glasses)
- Original Clear Passport/Travel document which must be valid for at least one year
- A detailed letter from the applicant addressed to the Kenya Embassy requesting for the visa indicating the purpose of the intended travel
- Letter from Employer, Social welfare or school where applicable
- Clear copy of resident/ work permits
- Invitation letter from host in Kenya explaining relationship between host and applicant and signed by the host, invitations which are not signed are unacceptable (email invitations are not accepted)
- Host’s copy of ID or Passport if visiting an individual. If host is non-Kenyan copy of their resident permit will also be required. Details of the host should be clearly stated both in the invitation letter and form i.e
- Names
- Residential/Physical address
- Telephone/cell phone numbers
- E-mail address
- Non-refundable application fee of €12 and €40 upon approval
- One must travel within three (3) months from the date of visa approval
- Confirmed hotel bookings (for the tourist)
- Current 6 months Bank statement or Social Welfare payment slips if applicant is in receipt of any social welfare payments
- The process will take at least 8 business weeks
N.B:
Kindly note that the applications are usually forwarded to Immigration Headquarters, Nairobi for processing and The Embassy has no control over the length of time your application will take hence we advise that one should not make any travel arrangements until your visa has been approved.
Transit Visa (allows for a short stop-over or overnight only)
Requirements
-
- A national passport (original and copy) that is valid for at least six (6) months and has two (2) blank pages
- Duly filled application form 22. Click to download
- One recent passport standard size photograph taken on white background
- €20 Postal order, company Bankers Cheque or Bank draft payable to the Kenya Embassy
- Flight itinerary.
- A certified self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your passport(s) (for postal applications). The envelope should have sufficient return postage.
Note: Minors (under 18) travelling on their own require written consent from either parent.
East African visas (Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda only)
Requirements
Allows for Multiple Entry for tourists, to the Republic of Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. The visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
- A duly filled up application form 22. Click to download
- A national original passport that is valid for at least six (6) months and has two (2) blank pages
- Visa processing fee of €80 payable by Postal Order, company Bankers Cheque or Bank draft
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- Two (2) recent clear coloured passport size photos with white background without glasses, caps, scarf
- Flight itinerary for the three countries, Hotel bookings and details about places to visit if going as tourist
- Kenya MUST be the first point of entry
- A certified self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your passport(s) (for postal applications). The envelope should have sufficient return postage.
Note : This visa is for tourist purposes only ( no work is permitted) and cannot be extended.
Furthermore, applicants from countries that are on referral shall apply for the East Africa visa from the Mission whose Government has referral requirements. The holder of the East Africa tourist visa issued by the Embassy shall enter through Kenya and move to either Uganda or Rwanda and return to Kenya without having to apply or pay for another visa within a period of 90 days.
NB:
- Visa applications without complete requirements will not be processed. Please ensure all the requirements are met.
- Applicants should allow 4 business days to process visa applications.
For more information on visa application and visa categories based on nationalities, please visit www.immigration.go.ke This website provides comprehensive details on all immigration services provided by the Department of Immigration of Kenya in Nairobi including but not limited to work permit, passes, citizenship, other immigration services and frequently asked questions (F.A.Qs)
Visa applicants who intend to undertake an internship/ placement and volunteer work in Kenya are further required to liaise with their host organizations/ companies in Kenya to make application for the appropriate authorization to the Director of Immigration Services (P.O. Box 30191, Nairobi. Telephone +254-222022) prior to their engagement in the respective attachments.
PLEASE NOTE: PROHIBITED ITEMS AT THE EMBASSY CHANCERY
The use of mobile phones, cameras and other video recording devices is strictly forbidden. Visitors are advised to switch off their electronic devices at the entrance of the Mission.
