Kenya visa for US citizens

If you are a US citizen planning to travel to 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 Americans need a visa to enter Kenya? 

Yes, they do. In addition, they will need to have a passport with a validity of 6 months and 2 blank pages and more additional documents.

How to apply for a visa to Kenya?

Getting your visa to go to Kenya 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 

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 required to travel to Kenya from the United States?

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?

The local 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.  

Is Kenya safe to travel?

The U. S. department of state, as of december 9 2022 has catalogued Kenya in its Level 2: Exercise increased Caution. This means that due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping some areas have increased risk.

This does not mean, however, that overall the country enjoys a relatively low risk, especially in the most touristic areas. With careful planning and a little common sense, you can enjoy the incredible things that Kenya has reserved for you.

Since February 2018, it is advisable to avoid the Kenya-Somalia border counties of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa; Areas of Turkana County; the Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera and some areas of Laikipia County.

Kenya's main tourist attractions are not included in any of these restricted areas. Therefore, you will not miss its main attractions.

Although you cannot guarantee being 100% secure, there are ways to reduce the probabilities:

• As in most cities, crime is worse in the poorest neighbourhoods, the outskirts and more remote areas or in illegal settlements. Avoid these areas unless you travel with a trusted native or guide.
• Do not travel alone at night.
• Do not show off expensive jewellery or devices.
• Take enough money and keep it safe.