
Last reviewed on June 26, 2026
Kenya invitation-letter guide: when an invitation helps, what it should include, and how to keep your Kenya eVisa file consistent with accommodation and trip purpose.
60 answers covering Kenya eVisa documents, fees, processing times, entry rules, and common application issues. Tap a question to read the full answer.
An invitation letter is especially useful when:
The strongest letters are clear and practical. They should normally include:
If the host is a company, any supporting business details can also help the file look more complete.
Even with an invitation letter, you may still need:
The invitation letter works best when it matches the rest of the story. If the dates, location, or purpose conflict with your other documents, it can weaken the application rather than strengthen it.
The biggest mistake is treating the letter as a magic shortcut while the rest of the file stays inconsistent. The invitation should support the application, not compensate for wrong passport details, unclear travel dates, or missing documents.
Before you submit, review the full Kenya visa requirements page so your invitation letter, accommodation details, and trip purpose all align. When the file is ready, continue to the secure application flow.
A Kenya eVisa is an electronic travel authorization that allows eligible foreign nationals to enter Kenya for tourism, business, or transit purposes. The eVisa system enables travelers to apply online without visiting an embassy or consulate, making travel to Kenya more convenient and accessible.
The Kenya eVisa is linked to your passport and must be printed and presented upon arrival at Kenyan entry points. It's valid for single entry and allows stays of up to 90 days depending on the visa type.
Most foreign nationals require a Kenya eVisa to enter Kenya. This includes citizens from:
Visa-Exempt Nationalities:
Important: Always verify your specific nationality's requirements using our eligibility checker before applying.
Kenya eVisas have different validity periods depending on the visa type:
The eVisa must be used within its validity period. Once you enter Kenya, the immigration officer will determine the exact length of stay (up to the maximum allowed by your visa type).
Kenya offers three main eVisa types:
1. Tourist ETA (Single Entry)
2. Business ETA (Single Entry)
3. Transit ETA (Single Entry)
Applying for a Kenya eVisa is straightforward with our platform:
Step 1: Visit our secure platform and select Kenya eVisa Step 2: Complete the online application form with accurate information Step 3: Upload all required documents (passport, photo, accommodation proof, etc.) Step 4: Review your application carefully Step 5: Pay the government fee and service charge securely online Step 6: Track your application status through our customer portal Step 7: Receive your approved eVisa via email as a PDF document
Our expert team reviews every application before submission to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Essential Documents:
Valid Passport
Passport-Size Photograph
Travel Documentation
Financial Proof
Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
Additional Documents for Business Travelers:
Kenya eVisa processing times vary:
Processing times are estimates and may vary based on:
Our expert review process helps ensure faster processing by catching errors before submission.
Kenya tourist and business ETA listings currently show 1 working day urgent handling. Transit ETA is already listed at 1 working day. Expedited handling may help when you have:
Contact our support team to request urgent processing for your application.
If you notice an error before payment and submission, you can go back and correct it. However, once payment is made and the application is submitted, corrections become more difficult.
If you discover an error after submission:
Common mistakes to avoid:
Our expert review process helps catch errors before submission, significantly reducing the need for corrections.
Kenya eVisa fees vary by visa type:
Additional Costs:
All fees are clearly displayed before you submit your application.
We accept multiple secure payment methods:
All payments are processed through secure, encrypted channels to protect your financial information.
Government fees are generally non-refundable if an application is denied. However, our service includes:
Our high approval focus demonstrates our commitment to helping clients submit strong, complete applications.
Kenya eVisa holders can enter through:
Always carry your printed eVisa approval letter and valid passport when traveling.
Yes, visa extensions are possible for valid reasons. To extend your Kenya visa:
Extensions are granted at the discretion of immigration authorities and require valid justification.
Current Kenya eVisas are single-entry only. If you plan to leave Kenya and return, you'll need to apply for a new eVisa before your return trip.
Planning multiple visits?
Upon arrival in Kenya with your eVisa:
The immigration officer will determine the exact length of stay (up to 90 days for tourist/business visas).
Yes, each traveler regardless of age needs their own Kenya eVisa. This includes:
Additional requirements for minors:
Having a criminal record doesn't automatically disqualify you from obtaining a Kenya eVisa. However:
Important: Always be honest in your application. Providing false information can result in permanent visa bans.
Your passport must meet these requirements:
If your passport doesn't meet these requirements, renew it before applying for your Kenya eVisa.
Yes, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry into Kenya. Requirements:
Important: Without a valid yellow fever certificate, you may be denied entry to Kenya, even with an approved eVisa.
You can track your application status through:
Application Status Stages:
If your Kenya eVisa is denied:
Common reasons for denial:
Our expert review process helps minimize denial risk by catching issues before submission.
Once payment is made and the application is submitted, cancellation may not be possible. However:
Dry Seasons (Peak Travel):
Wet Seasons:
Considerations:
Wildlife and Safari:
Coastal Areas:
Cities:
Kenya is generally safe for tourists, especially in:
Safety Tips:
Mandatory:
Recommended:
Important: Consult with a travel health specialist before your trip to Kenya.
While not mandatory, comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended for:
Kenya has good healthcare facilities in major cities, but medical costs can be high for visitors without insurance.
In addition to standard requirements, business travelers need:
No, you must apply for a business eVisa if you plan to:
Using a tourist eVisa for business purposes may result in entry denial or visa violations.
Yes, if you're transiting through Kenya, you can apply for a Transit eVisa:
Important: Even if you're not leaving the airport, you may still need a transit visa depending on your nationality and flight routing.
If your travel plans change:
Best Practice: Apply for your eVisa close to your actual travel dates to minimize the need for changes.
A Kenya eVisa only allows entry to Kenya. To visit other countries, you'll need:
East African Tourist Visa: Consider this option if planning to visit multiple EAC countries.
Join thousands of satisfied travelers who have successfully obtained their Kenya visa through our platform. Our customer reviews consistently highlight fast processing, excellent customer service, and stress-free application experiences.
Yes. You can complete the Kenya eVisa application online, upload required documents, and pay securely through the application flow. Common options include: Tourist ETA (Single Entry for 90 days) / Business ETA (Single Entry for 90 days) / Transit ETA (Single Entry for 72 hours).
Most applicants need a valid passport, a compliant passport-style photo, travel details, and accommodation information for Kenya. Some routes also require invitation, sponsor, financial, or itinerary evidence, so it is important to match your uploads to the exact visa type you selected and verify the live checklist before payment.
Kenya currently supports Single Entry. The option available to you depends on the visa type and eligibility. Typical stay duration: 90 days or 90 days.
For Kenya, many travelers enter intended flight details rather than fully paid tickets, but exact booking expectations vary by visa type and nationality. Confirm what the Kenya application asks for before you pay, and keep your onward or return plan consistent with the travel dates on your file.
Accommodation details are commonly requested for Kenya, so be ready to provide a hotel booking, host address, or invitation depending on your trip type. Keep the address and dates aligned with the rest of your Africa itinerary so the application is reviewed without inconsistencies.
Yes, when your trip type requires sponsor or host details. Invitation documents may strengthen the file for business or private-visit purposes.
Plan for at least one blank passport page for most Kenya trips, and keep two blank pages when possible if your route could involve extra entry/exit stamps, overland borders, or additional immigration checks. The practical goal is to make sure officers have enough clear space to stamp your passport without questioning whether the document is travel-ready.
Do not rely on blank pages alone:
Use the live Kenya visa requirements before travel if you want the full checklist in one place.
Your passport should usually stay valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip to Kenya, but you should check the exact rule for your nationality and visa route before submitting the application. Border officers and airlines look at both validity and physical passport condition, so a passport that is near expiry, damaged, or almost full can still create problems even if your visa is approved.
Before you travel:
For the latest document checklist, review Kenya visa requirements.
Yes. For Kenya, each traveler including minors normally needs an individual eVisa approval unless a specific exemption is published by the authorities. Apply per child with their own passport and photo, and keep their details consistent with the adult itinerary so the whole Africa trip is reviewed without mismatches.
Minor corrections may be possible if you catch the mistake early, but once a Kenya eVisa application is already under review you may need to submit a fresh application with corrected details. The most serious errors are usually passport number, name order, date of birth, nationality, and travel dates that no longer match your supporting documents.
If you spot an error:
Before paying again, re-check the destination checklist on Kenya visa requirements so the same mistake does not repeat.
A torn, water-damaged, or unreadable passport can cause a Kenya eVisa rejection or boarding denial even after approval, because officers check both your data and the physical condition of the document. Renew the passport before applying if the photo page is unclear, the machine-readable zone is worn, or pages are loose — particularly when entering Africa, where document checks can be strict.
Digital proof of your Kenya eVisa may be accepted in some cases, but a printed backup is safer in case your phone battery, connectivity, or app access fails at check-in or Africa immigration. Treat the print copy as your fallback, not your only option.
Kenya applications are assessed per person, so there is no single household form — each traveler needs their own passport details, photo, and documents that match the selected visa type. You can complete several Kenya applications back-to-back in one session, which is convenient for families, but you submit and pay for each applicant individually.
Use a recent passport-style photo with a plain background, clear face visibility, and even lighting, then match the exact upload format and size shown in the Kenya application form. Because Kenya eVisa decisions are made from your uploaded file, a blurry or non-compliant photo is one of the most common causes of delay for Africa applications, so review the image quality before you submit.
Carrying a printed Kenya eVisa is strongly recommended even where digital copies are accepted, because airline check-in staff and Africa border officers may still ask for paper proof. Keep the printout together with your passport and accommodation details so check-in and arrival go smoothly.
Typical reasons include incomplete forms, passport mismatch, poor document quality, ineligible nationality, or unclear travel purpose.
You can usually track your Kenya eVisa status through the application portal using the same reference details, passport information, and contact email used at submission. Common status stages include submitted, under review, approved, or action needed if more information is required.
If your status does not move as expected:
For a full pre-travel checklist while you wait, review Kenya visa requirements and the Kenya FAQ hub.
Yes. Carry a printed copy along with accommodation and return-plan proof for smoother check-in and arrival.
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These Kenya answers are practical guidance based on our latest Africa data and do not replace official immigration authority decisions.
FAQ reliability note (June 26, 2026)
Typical processing is 3 working days. Faster options: 1 working day.
Always confirm final entry decisions with official Kenya immigration authorities.