How to Apply for a Kenyan Student Visa

Kenyan Student Visa is a document issued to applicants (foreign students) (section 30(1) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations 2012, who wish to purse their education in Kenya’s Education or Training Institutions where they have been accepted or admitted. The applicant (foreign student) must be accepted as a student by an approved Educational or Training Establishment.

Procedure – Kenyan Student Visa

• The immigration Act Cap 172 provides for issuance of Kenya Pupils’ Passes to applicants (foreign students) who wish to pursue their education in Kenya’s education or training institutions.
• Application are to be submitted three months before commencement of studies.
  

Apply Online – Kenyan Student Visa

1. The first step is to register with the Kenya electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal through the following link eFNS Online Platform.
2. Click on create account then click on the Create an Account to register.
3. You will need to fill in your personal information so to register for an eFNS account For Kenyan citizens, you will need your national ID number while foreigners residing in Kenya will need your foreigner certificate. If you do not have national ID or foreigner certificate, select other and use passport details to register.
4. Once you have registered you will then need to login to your eFNS account and under the Submit application tab click on Submit new applications.
5. This will direct you to the next page where you should make your next selection. Under the Permit and Passes Services Section, click on the Apply Now link in the Student Pass Tab.
6. This will direct you to next page; here you should read the instructions carefully; make sure you have all the requirements to make the application and then click on the Apply Now button which will direct you to the online application form.
7. Fill in the online application form with all the required details and upload supporting documents. These details include:-
   (a) Start by uploading your passport photo
   (b) Select type of pass you wish to apply for i.e Student Pass
   (c) Current immigration status
   (d) Full names
   (e) Nationality
   (f) Date and place of birth
   (g) Passport ( number, date of issue, expiry date )
   (h) Education institution’s ( Name, postal address , physical address )
   (i) Course duration
   (j) Kenyan Contacts ( phone number, postal address, physical location )
   (k) Application type ( new application / renewal )(l) Date of arrival in Kenya
   (m) Upload clearance certificate
   Then click on save.
8. This will take you to the next page where you are to fill in your Academic/Professional/Technical qualifications. Here you are supposed to give the following details:-
   (a). Education Institution
   (b). Course duration
   (c). Award/ attainment to be achieved
   (d). Upload academic sertificates.
   Click on save then click on the proceed button.
9. This will direct you to the next page where you are required to print your student pass application.
10. You shall receive automatic notifications via email and on your online account about the progress of your application
11. After your application is approved, an invoice will be generated which you can see by clicking on “Dashboard” then “Payments” Tab. If you have already logged in eFNS, you can click here to make a payment.
12. If unable to pay using any of the online modes, print your invoice by clicking on “Dashboard” then “Payments” Tab (If you have already logged in eFNS, you can click here to print your invoice). Present your invoice and Banker’s cheque at the Immigration Office Counters and pay for the pass at the port of entry.
13. Make sure you present all the required documents to the immigration offices.
14. Once you have made the payment of Ksh, 5000, the student pass application from will be stamped and you will be able to use it to enter into Kenya.

Required Documents – Kenyan Student Visa

1. A duly filled, signed and stamped application Form 30, by the institution’s authorized personnel (Both new and renewal cases)
2. Detailed cover letter from the institution addressed to the Director of Immigration Services indicating the course to be pursued and the duration
3. Valid copy of National Passport (the bio-data page and Current Immigration Status for the student).
4. Two coloured passport size photos of the applicant.
5. Copies of basic academic certificates (for those joining tertiary institutions)
6. National passport copy of the sponsor
7. Commitment letter from parent/guardian/sponsor
8. Proof of funds (for self-sponsored students)
9. Consent letter from the parents (for minors)
10. Copy of parent’s national passport (for minors)
11. Copy of birth certificate (for minors)
12. The institution applying must be registered as an educational establishment. If the institution is relatively new a copy of registration must be submitted together with the application.
13. Clearance letter from the Department of Refugee Affairs (for refugees)
14. Certified copies of progress report/transcripts obtained(by the issuing institution) -for renewal cases
15. Copy of student’s pass previously held -for renewal cases
16. Police Clearance Certificate from the country of origin, or if a resident, from the Kenya Police Service
    

Note:

• In addition to the above, Nigerian nationals must provide an original National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Clearance Certificate
• Documents in foreign languages should be translated into English by either the Embassy, Public Notary, or authorized /recognized institution -both new and renewal cases
  

Office Locations & Contacts

Department of Immigration Services
Nyayo house
Passport Section Ground Floor,
Kenyatta Avenue/ Uhuru Highway
P.O. Box 30191, 00100 Nairobi. Tel: +254-20-2222022, +254-20-2217544,+254-20-2218833
Email: dis@immigration.go.ke
Website: Department of Immigration Website

• Kenya electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal

Eligibility

• Foreign students who wish to pursue their education in Kenya’s Education or Training Institutions where they have been accepted or admitted.
• The applicant (foreign student) must be accepted as a student by an approved Educational or Training Establishment.
  

Fees – Kenyan Student Visa

• Issuance fee of Ksh.5, 000 paid upon approval.
• All citizens of the East Africa Community (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi) are exempted from payment of Student / Research / internship pass fee.
  

Validity

• The validity period is one year.
  

Documents to Use

• Applications are done online though the Kenya electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal

Processing Time

• The processing time is immediate.

Instructions

1. Register with the Kenya electronic Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal through the following link eFNS Online Platform.
2. Login to your eFNS account and under the Submit application tab click on Submit new applications.
3. Under the Permit and Passes Services Section, click on the Apply Now link in the Student Pass Tab.
4. Read the instructions carefully; make sure you have all the requirements to make the application and then click on the Apply Now button which will direct you to the online application form.
5. Fill in the online application form with all the required details and upload supporting documents, then click on save.
6. This will take you to the next page where you are to fill in your Academic/Professional/Technical qualifications. Click on save then click on the proceed button.
7. This will direct you to the next page where you are required to print your student pass application.
8. After your application is approved, an invoice will be generated which you can see by clicking on “Dashboard” then “Payments” Tab.
9. If unable to pay using any of the online modes, print your invoice by clicking on “Dashboard” then “Payments” Tab. Present your invoice and Banker’s cheque at Immigration Office Counters and pay for the student pass at the port of entry.
10. Once you have made the payment of Ksh, 5000, the student pass application from will be stamped and you will be able to use it to enter into Kenya.
    

Required Information

1. Type of pass you wish to apply for i.e. Student Pass
2. Current immigration status
3. Full names
4. Nationality
5. Date and place of birth
6. Passport ( number, date of issue, expiry date )
7. Education institution’s ( Name, postal address , physical address )
8. Course duration
9. Kenyan Contacts ( phone number, postal address, physical location )
10. Application type ( new application / renewal )
11. Date of arrival in Kenya

Need for the Document

• This student pass makes it possible for foreign students to pursue their education in Kenya’s Education or Training Institutions.
• Foreign students are able to apply for admission as a student in approved Educational or Training Establishments.
  

Information which might help

• Any kind of payment made should be done through the provided online module.
• It is an offence to receive education or training at any educational or training establishment within Kenya without a pupil’s pass (section 30 (7) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations,2012).
• Student’s pass is not an authority to engage in any form of employment either for gain or not.
• All citizens of the East Africa Community (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi) are exempted from payment of Student / Research / internship pass fee.
• Application are to be submitted three months before commencement of studies.
• Nigerian nationals must provide an original National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Clearance Certificate.
• Documents in foreign languages should be translated into English by either the Embassy, Public Notary, or authorized /recognized institution -both new and renewal cases

External Links

• Requirements for Issuance of Kenya Pupil’s Pass/Student’s Permit
• Checklist of requirements
  

Others

• Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Engaging in any form of business or employment without a requisite permit or pass is an offence.
• Application print-outs must be presented to the Immigration headquarters
• It is an offence to receive education or training at any educational or training establishment within Kenya without a pupil’s / student’s pass (section 30 (7) of the Kenya citizenship and Immigration Regulations,2012)

If you are going to Kenya to study, you are going to need to get a student visa. The main hurdle for this type of visa is getting an admission letter from a relevant institution in Kenya and getting a Pupils Pass.

As stated here at the Embassy of Kenya website, non-Kenyan students intending to pursue studies in Kenya at any level (including internships), must obtain a Kenya Pupils Pass from the Director of Immigration Services before embarking on their studies.

Your best bet is to come to the country on a Kenya Tourist Visa and then get your Pupils Pass (a.k.a. Kenya Student Visa) at the Department of Immigration in Kenya.