Do I need a visa to transit Nairobi?
Prepare for your stopover in Nairobi by understanding transit visas: Online or traditional, everything you need to know.
When travelling internationally with a stopover in Nairobi, Kenya, it is essential to understand the visa requirements for your stopover. Nairobi is one of Africa's major transit points, welcoming travellers from all over the world. This page aims to inform you about the different visa requirements for stopovers in Nairobi, with a particular focus on transit visas. It's important to know whether you need a transit visa and, if so, how to go about it, including exploring online visa application options. By understanding these requirements, you can plan your trip with confidence and avoid any unnecessary inconvenience during your stopover in Nairobi.
Kenya transit visa: in brief
- Necessity for extended stopovers: Since January 2024, the Kenya transit visa has been replaced by the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). If your stopover exceeds 12 hours and you wish to leave the airport's transit zone, you must now obtain an ETA.
- Limited duration: The ETA, which replaces the transit visa in Kenya, is generally valid for a maximum of 72 hours. Make sure that your stopover does not exceed this period to avoid any compliance problems.
- Online application: To save time, it is recommended that you apply for your ETA online via the official website or through private service providers, as was previously the case with the transit visa.
- Documents required: As with the transit visa, you will need to prepare certain documents for your ETA application, such as a valid passport with a minimum period of validity of six months beyond your date of departure from Kenya, a return flight ticket, and a recent passport photo complying with biometric standards.
- Cost of the ETA: The cost of obtaining an ETA, which replaced the transit visa, varies according to your nationality and may be subject to change. The fee was generally around USD 35, to which service charges may be added.
What are the visa requirements for a transit or stopover in Kenya?
Since January 2024, the Kenya transit visa has been replaced by the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). The requirements for a transit or stopover in Kenya still depend on the length of your stay.
- If your stay does not exceed 72 hours, you do not need a visa. You can simply stay in the airport transit zone.
- If your stay is longer than 72 hours, you must obtain a transit visa. You can apply for a transit visa online or at your nearest Kenyan embassy or consulate.
Documents required: Although the transit visa has been replaced by the ETA, the documents required remain similar. You will need to provide :
- A valid passport.
- A recent passport photo.
- A flight itinerary.
- Pay the ETA fee, if applicable, which varies according to the length of transit and your nationality.
In short, although the traditional transit visa is no longer in force, the ETA for Kenya offers a quick and efficient solution for managing your transit requirements online.
What is a transit visa for Kenya?
The transit visa, replaced by the ETA in 2024, used to be necessary for travellers making a stopover in Kenya, especially if they stayed at Nairobi airport during their connecting flight. Now, the ETA fulfils this function by allowing travellers to stay temporarily in the transit zone of the airport, or to leave the zone briefly, without the need for a full tourist or business visa.
The ETA, like the old transit visa, is mainly applicable at Kenya's major international airports, such as Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Conditions of validity vary, but in general, this ETA is valid for a stopover of less than 72 hours.
Transit time and conditions for this visa in Kenya
With the introduction of the ETA to replace the transit visa, the rules on transit times in Kenya have become clearer. The maximum duration allowed under the ETA is 72 hours, which allows travellers to stay in the transit zone of the airport or to leave this zone briefly without needing an additional visa.
The conditions associated with the ETA are similar to those for the old transit visa: you can stay in the transit zone of the airport or, if you wish, leave the airport for a short time. However, for stays of more than 72 hours, a tourist or business visa is required.
It is essential to plan your itinerary carefully in line with the duration authorised by the ETA (formerly transit visa) to avoid any problems with the immigration authorities in Kenya.
How do I obtain a transit visa for Kenya online?
If you're planning a stopover in Nairobi, Kenya, and are interested in the ease of managing your transit visa online, here's what you need to know about this option:
Kenya offers the possibility of obtaining a transit visa online as part of its e-visa programme. This simplified process allows travellers to apply for their transit visa before arriving in Nairobi. It is designed to offer a faster and more convenient visa application experience.
One of the main advantages of applying for a transit visa online is the simplicity of the process. Travellers can submit their application from home, avoiding the need to apply in person at the Kenyan embassy or consulate. What's more, online applications are often processed more quickly, which can be essential for stopover travellers with limited time at the airport.
The online transit visa application process generally involves the following steps:
- Access the official ETA application website for Kenya or via a provider website
- Complete the online application form, providing personal information, flight details and other required documents.
- Download the necessary documents, such as your passport, a passport photo and a copy of your flight itinerary.
- Pay visa fees online, where applicable, using accepted payment methods.
- Submit your application online.
Once your application has been accepted, you will receive electronic confirmation of your transit visa, which you will need to present to immigration on arrival at Nairobi airport.
The documents required may vary depending on your nationality and the length of your stopover. In general, you will need to provide your valid passport, a recent passport photograph, a flight itinerary, and pay the visa fee, if applicable. Fees also depend on the length of transit and the nationality of the applicant.
How much does a transit visa for Kenya cost?
The price of a transit visa for Kenya used to be USD 20. This type of visa is intended for travellers transiting through Kenya on their way to another destination and whose stay in the country does not exceed 72 hours. Transfer passengers who do not leave the airport do not need to apply for a transit visa. Since January 2024, visa requirements have been replaced by the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system to simplify and speed up the entry and transit process.
The price of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Kenya, which includes transit, is USD 35.
Any service charges, which vary depending on the site through which you apply for your visa, may be added.
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