Key information about getting a Kenya visa for US citizens

If you are a US citizen planning to visit Kenya for tourism, business or family reunion, you will need a visa to enter the country.  This is regardless of whether you are travelling by land, air or sea.

Getting a visa is not an easy task. Visagov helps you with that and gives you all the information you need in order to travel securely to this beautiful African country.

Do US citizens need a visa for Kenya?

Yes, they do. In addition, they will need to have a passport with a validity of 6 months and 2 blank pages. US citizens can read our article about travel requirements for Kenya to be up to date on all the necessary documentation.

Visa requirements for Kenya for US citizens

Getting your Kenya visa is very simple; all you have to do is go to the visa section of our website and click on "Choose a visa". Then you select Kenya and choose the visa that best suits your trip.

Once selected, you will have to fill in the fields with your details as they appear on your travelling documents and pay. After that, you will only have to wait approximately 48 hours to have your visa approved. You will receive your visa in your email address.

The cost of a Kenya visa for US citizens

To visit Kenya we have different visa options. You should carefully look at the details and choose from:

• Single Entry Visa for 90 days of stay (valid for 3 months). Service fee: 29 EUR and Visa fees: 52 EUR.
• East Africa Visa for 90 days of stay (valid for 3 months) and multiple entries. Service fee: 29 EUR and Visa fees: 104 EUR.
• Transit Visa (not exceeding 72 hours). Validity: 90 Days with no Multiple entries. Service fee: 29 EUR and Visa fees: 21 EUR.

Are vaccines part of Kenya's entry requirements for US citizens?

Yes, there is only one required vaccine: the yellow fever. To enter the country you should have proof of yellow fever immunizations.

We recommend you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for further health news in Kenya.

Where is the Kenya’s embassy in the United States?

Address: 2249 R Street Nw, Washington DC 20008

Telephone number: +2023876101/ +2027962079

Webpage: https://kenyaembassydc.org/

Where is the United States' embassy in Kenya?

Address: US Embassy, United Nations Avenue, Off Limuru Rd, Nairobi, Kenya

Telephone number:  +254 20 3636000

Webpage: https://ke.usembassy.gov

What is the time difference between the United States and Kenya?

Kenya is 8 hours ahead of Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States of America.

If it is 7:50 AM on Friday in Washington D. C., District of Columbia, United States of America, then it is 15:50 on Friday in Kenya.

What is the currency of Kenya and the exchange rate to the US dollar?

Kenya's currency is the Kenyan shilling and it has been in circulation in the country since 1995. The approximate conversion, since the exact value can vary depending on the day, is 0,0079 $ for 1 shilling.

You should be aware that the U.S. Department of State- Bureau of Consular affairs states that there is a currency restriction for exit of a maximum of 100,000 Kenyan Shillings.

To exchange the money you can count on doing it in the capital of the African country, Nairobi, where you will have banks, exchange offices and hotels. However, it is recommended to do it in an exchange office or in the bank, since the hotels will charge you higher commissions.

For the withdrawal of cash you will have no problem because there are several ATMs at the airport and in different cities. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you always carry some cash in case the ATM is damaged or you cannot find one for several kilometres.

As for card payment, many shops and practically all hotels accept VISA. There are still shops that do not have a card reader.

Are there direct flights from the United States to Kenya?

Yes, there is one:

• Direct (non-stop) flights from John F Kennedy International New York to Jomo Kenyatta International Nairobi with Kenya airways. The flight time is 14 hours and 30 minutes, the distance is 7396 miles and the average cost for the ticket is 1340$. 

Then there are a multitude of airlines that can take you from different US airports to different Kenyan airports and cities. Some of the best are known to be Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Egyptair, Delta Airlines and United Airlines. These do have stopovers in other countries.