How to Apply for a Kenyan business Visa

The business visa is issued to persons whose nationalities require visa to enter Kenya either for business reasons. The type of visa you must have is defined by the Kenyan and Visa Regulations, and relates to the purpose of your travel. The following is a Procedure on How to Applying for a Kenyan business Visa

1. Single Journey Visa: Issued for Single or Multiple entries to persons whose nationalities require visas to enter Kenya.
2. Transit Visa: Issued for periods not exceeding three days to persons whose nationalities require visas to enter Kenya and who intend to transit through Kenya to a different destination.
3. Diplomatic Visa: Issued for Single or Multiple entries to holders of Diplomatic passports who are on official duty. Coming Soon
4. Courtesy/ Official Visa: Issued to persons holding Official or Service passports on Official duty and to Ordinary passport holders who are not entitled to a Diplomatic visa; but where it is considered by the Director to be desirable on the grounds of international courtesy. Coming Soon
5. East Africa Tourist Visa: This is a joint tourist visa that entitles holders to travel to and within the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Uganda for the purpose of tourism. Validity of East Africa Tourist Visa: 90 (Ninety days) Multiple Entry. Coming Soon

Visa Type	Visa Type
Single entry visa (Business or Tourism)	$51
Transit visa	$21
East Africa Tourist Visa Coming Soon	$101
Courtesy Visa Coming Soon	N/A

Apply Online for Kenyan business Visa

1. The first step is to register on eCitizen through the following link eCitizen Online Platform. Click on create account then click on the create an Account icon under the eVisa tab.
2. You will need to fill in your personal information so to register for an eCitizen account. This includes your Passport number, Name, Email address and nationality to complete the registration.
3. Once you have registered you will then need to login to your eCitizen account and navigate to Department of Immigration Services and then submit application.
   • Click on “Get service now”, then select the Blue button” Make Application” on the next window.
   • Click on the Plus (+) sign on the Kenyan Visa tab and select Apply for a Single Entry Visa
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. These details include:-
   (a) Traveller information ( Name, Date and place of birth, Occupation, Parents names)
   (b) Nationality and residence ( Nationality, Country of residence, Physical address in country of residence, Phone number)
   (c) Passport/ Travel documents information ( Passport number, Date of issue, Expiry date )
   (d) Travel information
   (i). Reason for travel. Select your reason for travel as Business.
   (ii). Proposed date of entry and departure from Kenya ,
   (iii). Full names of friend or relative in Kenya , their physical address and telephone numbers
   (iv). Full names of hotels, places or firms to be visited in Kenya.
   (e) Travel history ( previous travels to Kenya , any denial of entry to any county including Kenya ,criminal history )
   (f) Upload Supporting Documents (upload your passport’s bio data page ,Upload additional Documents e.g. official Invitation letter, Hotel Booking or travel Itinerary, Upload a passport size photo , select mode of arrival and point of entry)
   tick declaration from and the click continue.
   (g) This will direct you to the next page where you are to review your entry details. If everything is in order Click Submit button to finish.
   (h) This will direct you to the next page where you are supposed to make payment for the Business Visa. Make your payment using the provided payment methods provided and click on the submit button. A fee of USD $ 51 is charged for the Business Visa.
   (i) You will receive a notification of payment receipt in your email address confirming payment.
6. Once the Business visa is approved, the visa will be made available in your eCitizen account. You will also receive a notification email in your email address once your visa is available. This is usually after a period of two (2) days.
7. You must print a copy of the visa from your eCitizen account and carry it with your passport when you travel to Kenya.
8. When you arrive in Kenya, you must have your Business Visa printout with your passport and present it to the immigration officer at the port of entry.
   

Apply in Person for Kenyan business Visa

1. The Business Visa application can also be done in person. The first step is to write a detailed and signed Cover letter requesting for the Business Visa addressed to the Director of Immigration Services.
2. Visit the Kenya Missions/ Embassy abroad to make the application .Here you are required to present the cover letter to the immigration officer at the Kenyan Embassy. The immigration officer will provide you with Application for a Visa Form 22 to fill and submit.
3. State your reason for travel to Kenya as Business when you fill the application form
4. You should then proceed to pay the application fees for the Business Visa and acquire proof of payment receipt. A fee of USD 51 charged for a Single Entry Business Visa and USD 101 for a Multiple Entry Business Visa.
5. You should then attach the following documents to the application form before submission.
   (i). Detailed and Signed Cover letter from the applicant addressed to the Director of Immigration Services requesting Medical Visa.
   (ii). Two (2) recent collared passport size photographs
   (iii). Copy of a valid national passport / National ID (bio-data page) for both the applicant and the Dependant.
   (iv). Valid passport with at least one blank page with clear bio-data page and photograph
   (v). Valid travel document not less than six months.
   (vi). Invitation letter / Official letter showing reason for business visit
   (vii). An onward ticket
   (viii). Proof of payment receipt.
6. You should then lodge the completed application to the Kenya mission abroad.
7. After lodging the application the Business Visa will be ready for collection after review at the Kenya mission / Embassy after 5 working days.
8. You are required to bring proof of identification when collecting the Business Visa
9. You will be contacted through text and/or email when to collect your ready document.

Required Documents for Kenyan business Visa

1. Valid passport with at least one blank page with clear bio-data page and photograph
2. Valid travel document not less than six months.
3. An onward ticket
4. Invitation letter / Official letter showing reason for business visit
   

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

Mombasa-Immigration Department Office
PC’s Office Building
Tel: +254-41-2222676

Kisumu-Immigration Department Office
New Provincial Headquarters
Tel: +254-057-2024935/2025438/0700596071

• eCitizen Department of Immigration Services

Eligibility for Kenyan business Visa

• Persons whose nationalities require visa to enter Kenya either for business purposes are eligible to make the application.
• A list of Visa exempted countries can be accessed here.
• Children sixteen (16) year and below are exempted from visa payment and are not expected to make visa application.
  

Fees for Kenyan business Visa

• A fees of USD $ 51 is charged for a single entry business visa.
• A fees of USD $ 101 is charged for a multiple entry business visa.
  

Validity for Kenyan business Visa

• A Single Entry Business Visa to Kenya is valid for 3 months before you travel once it is issued.
• Once you present yourself to immigration control at the port of entry, you may be issued with a stay period not exceeding 90 days, which may be renewed for a further 90 days at the immigration headquarters.
• The maximum number of days of stay in Kenya of a visa is 6 months.
  

Documents to Use

• Applications are done online though the eCitizen -Department of Immigration Services
• Applications can also be done In Person by filling the following application document Application for a Visa Form 22

Processing Time

• It takes two days to process

Instructions

1. Click register on E-Citizen online platform.
2. Select Register as a Visitor.
3. Once Logged in, Select Department of Immigration services.
4. Select Make Application.
5. Click the plus sign on Kenyan Visa.
6. Select the Apply for a Single Entry Visa, read the Instructions Carefully and click on the Apply Now button.
7. Fill in the application form (select reason for travel as Business), upload supporting documents, review your entry then click submit.
8. Make payment for the Single Enter Visa using either a Visa Card, MasterCard and/ or other Debit Cards.
9. Await approval via email, then download and print the Visa from your eCitizen account.
10. Present your printed eVisa to the immigration officer at the port of entry
    

Required Information

1. Country you are making application from
2. Who are you making the application for (self/ child/ agent)
3. Full names
4. Gender
5. Date, Place, Country of birth
6. Fathers and Mothers name
7. Current Nationality
8. Country of residence
9. Physical address in country of residence and phone number
10. Passport number, place of issue, date of issue and expiry date
11. Previous visits to Kenya.
12. Previous denied entry into other country
13. Criminal history
    

Need for the Document

• Visas are the permission granted by a sovereign nation to a traveller permitting entry for a specific purpose.
• The business visa is issued to persons whose nationalities require visa to enter Kenya for business reasons e.g. Doing short consultancy work/short business trips/ short trainings
• A business visa allows one to enter Kenya and engage in business activities without joining Kenya’s labour market. For example, an individual may require a business visa if they are travelling to a country to do business with another company or if they are attending a business conference. The visitor typically must show that they are not receiving income from the country.
  

Information which might help

• This visa is only for those doing short consultancy work/short business trips/ short trainings. If you are formally employed/ contracted, your activities will include actual work or you are more than likely to “sit” in an office/ have duties assigned to you from the offices in Kenya, you are NOT eligible for this visa. You must either apply for a Special Pass or a Class D Permit.
• Visa processing fee is non-refundable.
• Incomplete applications will be rejected.
• The possession of a visa is not the final authority to enter the Republic of Kenya.
• Engaging in any form of business or employment without a requisite permit or pass is an offence.
• Please note that a visa is required prior to entry into Kenya.
• Please Note Children sixteen (16) year and below are exempted from visa payment and are not expected to make visa application.
• In the event of lapse during payment please do not re-apply, contact the administrator on dis@immigration.go.ke .
• Holders of travel documents (not a national passport) should not make eVisa applications, they should apply to the director of immigration services through the nearest Kenya mission.

External Links

• How to apply for an eVisa
  

Others

• The possession of a visa for Kenya is not the final authority to enter Kenya.
• Business visit, includes the following business activities:

Business activities not engaged as a employee

1. to discuss matters in the framework of trade transactions;
2. to make on-the-spot observations and to discuss trade commodities for the import-export business;
3. to discuss with Kenyan enterprises/companies matters related to capital or commodity production by overseas enterprises/companies;
4. to investigate possibilities for merchandising in the framework of capital investment with prospective partners in Kenya;
5. to join an international show/exhibition;
6. to give a lecture or join a non-commercial seminar/conference in social, cultural or governmental fields, with the permission of related agency/institution/department;
7. to give consultation, guidance, information or training in applying and innovating technology in order to increase the quality or design of products, as well as to further marketing efforts abroad.
   

Business activities of temporary work

1. inspect company branches in Kenya;
2. conduct emergency/urgent work;
3. conduct after-sales services;
4. install or repair equipment;
5. give a lecture at a seminar;
6. do non-permanent construction work;
7. hold professional sport activities;
8. do medical activities;
9. do work on board a ship/floating installation operating in Indonesian waters, territorial seas, a continental shelf installation, or a Kenyan exclusive economic zone;
10. perform tests on of work instruments/equipment for prospective foreign employees.