Frequently Asked Questions about Kenya

What is a Visa?
A visa is an endorsement in a passport/travel document which facilitates entry into the country subject to meeting the requirements as is stipulated in the Act /regulation. It should be noted that a visa is not an authority to enter a country.

How long does visa processing take?
1. Single entry visa issued in 3 working days
2. Multiple entry visa issued in 3 working days.
3. Transit visa is issued one (1) day after application.
4. Diplomatic visa is issued one (1) day after application.
5. Official/ service visa is issued one (1) day after application.
6. Referred visa should be applied for 2 months before the date of intended travel.

Why should someone register as an Alien?
It's a legal requirement, and failure to do so will attract a fine or imprisonment.

Who should register as Alien?
Any visitor to Kenya who is over 18 years of age and if his/her stay in Kenya exceeds 90 days from the date of entry.

What are the requirements for Application of the Alien card?
1. The Applicant must have a valid travel documents.
2. Two (2) passport size photographs
3. Registration fee of Shs 2,000
4. Applicant to present himself for fingerprinting
5. The renewal fee is Shs 1,000 per year.

How long does it take to process the Aliens Card?
It takes 5 weeks to process the card.

What is the maximum validity of the Aliens card?
Two (2) years

What happens in the case of losing the aliens card?
1. One should apply for a replacement at a fee of Sh 2,000
2. Form A1 or A2 dully filled
3. Two (2) passport size photographs
4. Fingerprints to be redone

Can I collect the card for someone?
The applicant is required to come in person for the card or a written authority from the applicant incase of illness.

What can I bring with me?
You can bring personal effects like cameras

How long does it take to fly to Kenya?
Kenya Airways flies non stop to Nairobi and takes only 9 hours.

Is accommodation readily available?
Accomodation in Kenya is readily available throughout the year, and with help of todays internet you can have everything arranged before you get there. This could be through travel agents or directly with the hotel.

Do I need to pay departure tax before leaving the country?
This is currently in the range of 20 dollars

Weather
What is the weather like in Kenya?
Kenya has a fairly warm weather throughout most of the country. However,depending on where you are it can be hot or cool to cold nights. The coast and the northern parts of Kenya are generally arid and hot.
April, May, June and November are rainy months, July to September are the coolest months with a low of 10 degrees centigrade and high of 26 degrees centigrade and December to March the warmer months. December through January are high season with Christmas and New Year being extremely busy

Medical Care
Incase you need medical attention here are some of the information that might be useful.
Aga Khan Hospital 020-3740000
Nairobi Hospital 020 374263/7 020 2722160
ambulance Dial 999
St. John Ambulance 224066
AMREF Flying Doctors Service Control Tel: 254-2-506521-4, (mobile) 254-733-628422

How do I make a call to Kenya
Making an International Telephone Call to Kenya Dial Kenya country Code which is 254. Then dial area code i.e. the particular area in Kenya. For example Nairobi is 20.
then lastly dial the required telephone number.

Security tips
Tourist Police Dial 999
Link to Foreign diplomatic missions in Kenya:
Foreign diplomatic missions in Kenya