How long is a visa for Kenya valid for in order to prepare your next trip to this country?
When you get an eVisa for Kenya, you need to know how long you can use it, i.e. how long it is valid. For this specific visa, the validity period is currently 3 months. Thus, the maximum period of stay allowed in Kenya with this visa is 90 days and starts on the day of your arrival in the country, even if you have indicated another date in the visa application form.
Validity of a visa for Kenya: key points
- A tourist visa or e-visa for Kenya is valid for 3 months.
- The period of validity of the Kenya visa begins on the date you obtain it.
- During this period of validity, you can stay in Kenya for up to 90 consecutive days.
The period during which the visa for Kenya is valid will depend on when you obtain this visa. Indeed, this period of validity will start on the day you obtain the visa and will last for 3 months. The beginning of this period will depend on the moment you submit your application for a visa for Kenya.
If you apply for a Kenya visa more than one month before your arrival, your application will be put on hold. It will then be processed by the authorities one month before your actual departure date. It will then take an average of 8 days to obtain the visa. The day the visa is approved will be considered the start of the 3-month validity period. It should be noted that it is also possible to postpone the date of your trip to Kenya up to a maximum of 2 months after the date of arrival initially foreseen in the visa.
If you are applying for a visa less than one month before your arrival in Kenya, you should mention this on the form so that your application can be processed immediately. Here, you will only have to wait the average of 8 working days to get your Kenya visa or 2-4 days if you want an urgent application.
Once you have obtained your visa for Kenya, you will be able to stay in the country for a maximum of 90 consecutive days from the date of arrival. This period will remain fixed regardless of your arrival date, even if it is different from the date on which you had previously planned your trip.
Of course, the date of arrival in Kenya must fall within the validity period of the Kenyan visa you have obtained.
It is also possible to extend the maximum stay in Kenya by 90 days. Indeed, by going to the Kenyan Immigration Service once you are in Kenya, you will be able to increase your stay to a maximum of 180 days. If you already know that you want to stay longer than 90 days, you can also apply for a traditional visa before you leave.
While the standard validity of a visa for Kenya is currently 90 days after your arrival date, it is possible that this period may be shortened and the time limit shortened. This can happen in the following situations:
Note that once you have arrived in Kenya, you will need to present your passport and visa to the immigration department, which will stamp both documents. They will also indicate in your visa your expected date of departure, which is the date mentioned on your return ticket or travel plan. This date will then be the maximum date on which you must leave the country, regardless of how long your visa is valid.
If you cannot avoid a check by the immigration service yourself in case of doubt, you can make sure that your passport has sufficient validity to allow you to use your visa in full.
It is important to pay attention to the validity date of your visa when planning a trip to a foreign country, including Kenya. If the validity date of a Kenya visa has passed, it can have a number of serious consequences for travellers.
Firstly, travellers may be refused entry to Kenya if they do not have a valid visa. The Kenyan authorities may consider that the traveller does not meet the necessary criteria to enter the country and may take the decision to refuse entry. This can cause significant stress for travellers, who may feel disappointed and frustrated at being separated from their loved ones or unable to fulfil their travel plans.
In addition, if the validity date of the visa has passed, travellers may find themselves stuck in a foreign country for an indefinite period of time. They may have to stay in the country until they can obtain a new visa, which can lead to additional costs and loss of time.
Finally, travellers may face additional costs to obtain a new visa. Costs may vary depending on the conditions of the visa, but may include application fees, processing fees and other fees associated with the visa application process.
In conclusion, to avoid the negative consequences of an expired visa, it is important to check the validity date of one's visa before travelling and take steps to renew it if necessary. Travellers can also consult consulates and embassies for information on visa requirements and application processes for Kenya. Finally, it is always advisable to be prepared for unforeseen eventualities when travelling, including taking out travel insurance to cover the costs of unforeseen situations.
Adeline HARMANT
As a web writer and globetrotter with a passion for travel and tourism, I have acquired in-depth knowledge of the procedures that are essential for travellers. I help travellers to complete all the formalities required for a successful trip, particularly when it comes to obtaining a visa online. With several years' experience in this field, I'd like to offer you some valuable advice to help you discover the world with complete peace of mind.
The Kenya visa is actually a single-entry visa. This means that you can only use it once to travel to Kenya. Even if your visa is still valid from the time you leave the country, its validity will expire. If you plan to return to Kenya within 90 days of your first arrival date, you will need to apply for a new visa online.
The online visa application process for Kenya is extremely fast and will take you only a few minutes to complete by filling in a simple form. Once validated, this application will be processed within an average of 8 working days by the immigration service. However, random checks can extend this time and it is therefore necessary to make sure you have enough time to secure your trip.
Once in Kenya with your 90-day visa, you have the option of extending its validity to stay in the country for longer. To do this, you simply need to go to one of the official immigration offices in the country to request an extension of 90 days.
