Kenya - Apply for a Diplomatic Visa

ProcedureEdit

The diplomatic visa is issued for Single or Multiple entries to holders of Diplomatic passports who are on official duty.
The Courtesy/ Official Visa is issued to persons holding Official or Service passports on Official duty and to Ordinary passport holders who are not entitled to Diplomatic visa; but where it is considered by the Director to be desirable on the grounds of international courtesy.

Apply OnlineEdit

The first step is to register on eCitizen through the following link eCitizen Online Platform. Click on create account then click on the create an Account icon under the eVisa tab.
You will need to fill in your personal information so to register for an eCitizen account. This includes your Passport number, Name, Email address and nationality to complete the registration.
Once you have registered you will then need to login to your eCitizen account and navigate to Department of Immigration Services and then submit application.
- Click on Get service now, then select the Blue button Make Application on the next window.
- Click on the Plus (+) sign on the Kenyan Visa tab and select Apply for a Courtesy/Diplomatic Visa
Read the instructions carefully; make sure you have all the requirements to make the application. and then click on the Apply Now button which will direct you to the online application form.
Fill in the online application form with all the required details and upload supporting documents. These details include:-

(a) Traveller information ( Name, Date and place of birth, Occupation, Parents names)

(b) Nationality and residence ( Nationality, country of residence, physical address in country of residence, phone number)

(c) Passport/ Travel documents infomation ( passport number, date of issue, expiry date )

(d) Travel information ( reason for travel, proposed date of entry and departure from Kenya , full names of friend or relative in Kenya , their physical address and telephone numbers, mode of arrival and point of entry)

(e) Travel history ( previous travels to Kenya , any denial of entry to any county including Kenya ,criminal history )

(f) Upload Supporting Documents (upload your passport’s bio data page ,Upload additional Documents e.g. official Invitation letter, Upload a passport size photo )

tick declaration from and the click submit.

(g) After you fill all the details you will then be asked to review the form and ascertain that the details therein are correct. If everything is okay then you should click on the submit button.
Once the visa is approved, the Courtesy /Diplomatic Visa will be made available in your eCitizen account. You will also receive a notification email in your email address once your visa is available. This is usually after a period of two (2) days.
You must print a copy of the visa from your e-citizen account and carry it with your passport when you travel to Kenya.
When you arrive in Kenya, you must have your Visa printout with your passport and present it to the immigration officer at the port of entry.

Required DocumentsEdit

Must be a holder of a valid (At least six months validity and at least one blank page) service, official and diplomatic passport.
- Passport must have clear bio data page and clear passport photograph
Travel documents not less than six months
Official letter from the country of origin/ organization/ ministry of foreign affairs
Passengers on transit must hold onward ticket / boarding pass to their final destination.

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Department of Immigration Services - Head Office
Nyayo house
Passport Section Ground Floor,
Kenyatta Avenue/ Uhuru Highway
P.O. Box 30191, 00100 Nairobi.
Tel: +254-20-2222022, +254-20-2217544,+254-20-2218833
Email: [email protected]
Website:Ministy of Immigration Contacts

eCitizen -Department of Immigration Services :eCitizen

EligibilityEdit

Persons holding Diplomatic, Official and Service passport coming into the country on official duties, or transiting through Kenya to a third country for official business or duties are eligible to make the application for the diplomatic/courtesy visa.
Government officials and dignitaries on official duties but holding ordinary passports are eligible to make the application for the diplomatic/courtesy visa.

FeesEdit

It is issued free of charge / gratis.

ValidityEdit

A diplomatic visa to Kenya is valid for 3 months before you travel once it is issued.
Once you present yourself to immigration control at the port of entry, you may be issued with a stay period not exceeding 90 days, which may be renewed for a further 90 days at the immigration headquarters.
The maximum number of days of stay in Kenya of a visa is 6 months.

Documents to UseEdit

Applications are done online though the eCitizen -Department of Immigration Services

Sample DocumentsEdit

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing TimeEdit

It takes two days to process

InstructionsEdit

Click register on E-Citizen online platform.
Select Register as a Visitor.
Once Logged in, Select Department of Immigration services.
Select Make Application.
Click the plus sign on Kenyan Visa.
Select the Apply for a Courtesy/ Diplomatic visa, read the Instructions Carefully and click on the Apply Now button.
Fill in the application form, upload supporting documents, review your entry then click submit.
Await approval via email, then download and print the Visa from your eCitizen account.
Present your printed eVisa to the immigration officer at the port of entry.

Required InformationEdit

Country you are making application from
Who are you making the application for (self/ child/ agent)
Full names
Gender
Date, Place, Country of birth
Fathers and Mothers name
Current Nationality
Country of residence
Physical address in country of residence and phone number
Passport number, place of issue, date of issue and expiry date
Previous visits to Kenya.
Previous denied entry into other country
Criminal history

Need for the DocumentEdit

Visas are the permission granted by a sovereign nation to a traveller permitting entry for a specific purpose.
The diplomatic visa is issued for Single or Multiple entries to holders of Diplomatic passports who are on official duty.
The Courtesy/ Official Visa is issued to persons holding Official or Service passports on Official duty and to Ordinary passport holders who are not entitled to Diplomatic visa; but where it is considered by the Director to be desirable on the grounds of international courtesy.

Information which might helpEdit

Spouses and children accompanying Diplomatic, Service or Official passport holders on duty, but travelling on ordinary passports do not qualify for courtesy visa whether on transit, business or holiday.
All incomplete applications will be rejected.
The possession of a visa is not the final authority to enter the Republic of Kenya
Engaging in any form of business or employment without a requisite permit or pass is an offence.
Please note that a visa is required prior to entry into Kenya.
After the initial days allocated by the immigration control at the port of entry have elapsed, you renew your visa at the immigration headquarters in Nairobi. The maximum number of days a visitor may stay in Kenya is 6 months.

External LinksEdit

How to apply for an eVisa

OthersEdit

The possession of a visa for Kenya is not the final authority to enter Kenya.
The Immigration Officer at the port of entry may refuse such a person permission to enter if he is satisfied that such a visitor is unable to fulfil the immigration requirements and that the entry and presence of such a visitor, in Kenya would be contrary to national interests even though such a person may be in possession of a valid visa for Kenya, provided that any such refusal is consented to by the Director of Immigration Services Nairobi, his Deputy or Provincial Heads of Immigration at Mombasa, Kisumu, and Garissa or any other Senior Officer so authorized to deputize.