Kenya Travel Without Visa

By Andrew Lewis on 18 Sep 2023

Tourist visas are constantly evolving and changing to meet the needs of modern travelers and a fast-paced, interconnected world. Whereas it used to take weeks to months to process, now most travelers can get an electronic visa (or an electronic travel authorization) within days or minutes. Some countries have even eliminated tourist visas for official passport holders to make visiting more accessible and straightforward.

If you’re planning a trip to Kenya, you may be wondering about Kenya’s visa-waiver policy, how to obtain a visa on arrival, and whether or not you can travel visa-free. We’ve got the answers you’re looking for about the visa requirements to visit.

Can I Travel to Kenya Without a Visa?

No, the visa on arrival for Kenya was discontinued at the end of 2020. From January 1, 2021, non–Kenya passport holders need to obtain an online visa.

Which Countries Don’t Need Visas for Kenya?

Even if they’re not traveling on a Kenyan passport, citizens of certain countries do not require a visa to visit for tourism purposes.

These visa-free countries include some belonging to the All East African Community Partner states; they are Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Several Caribbean and Pacific countries receive visa-free access, including Barbados, Belize, Fiji, Grenada, Jamaica, Kiribati, Maldives, Nauru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

A number of African countries are also exempt from providing a valid visa to visit Kenya. They extend to Botswana, Eswatini, The Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Kenya Visa on Arrival

Kenya does not have a visa on arrival. All foreigners visiting Kenya for tourism, medical, or business need to apply for a Kenyan visa online.

Getting an Overseas Citizen of Kenya Card

There’s an Issuance of Foreign Nationals Certificate (Alien Card) that enables Kenyan citizens to maintain their connection to the country while living abroad. It recognizes the status of a person as an overseas citizen of Kenya.

To apply for this card, these documents and payment are required:

  • Copy of the bio data page from a valid passport
  • Proof of residence (i.e., permit, permanent residency, or dependent/student pass)
  • Two current passport photographs taken in color against a white background
  • For renewal cases, a copy of the previous alien card
  • A charge of KSh1000 per year (or part thereof)

How Do I Get a Kenyan Visa?

To decide between Kenya’s electronic visas, determine the reason for your visit, the length of validity you’ll need, and the category that works for your visit, be it a single or multiple-entry visa.

You will be required to submit the following documents with your application:

  • A clear, color scan or photo of the biodata page of your passport (the page with your photo, name, and personal details)
  • Your completed application
  • A recent passport-style color photo
  • Payment of the required visa fee

Be Visa-Ready for Kenya

Obtaining a visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting a Kenyan visa. Start your visa application process.

For more information on other aspects of travel to Kenya, including what parts of the country are safe to visit and details on local culture and customs, visit our Kenya content hub.