Do I need a visa?
 

I am traveling to Kenya in Nov. Do I need to get a visa in advance or can I obtain one at customs when arriving in Kenya? Does it take long in Kenya to go through the Visa process if it is possible to obtain there.

Visas depend on your country of citizenship. Without stating this it is impossible to answer your question.

The debate is not over whether travel6492 needs a visa, that appears to be a given.

In the UK I prefer to get my visa in advance for Kenya in advance. It usually takes less than 5 working days and you can send and get back by recorded post.

However if you're from UK, EU USA it's not a problem getting one at the airport... unless you don't bring dollars for your visa and the exchange rate can be quite "imaginative".

You can just get one in the airport in Nairobi. It's $50 US (I think they only take $$ or Ksh) and the paperwork is there too. It took us 5 minutes.

I believe GBP and EUR are also accepted at the airport, but I didn't think KES was (at least it's not listed as one of the currencies on my receipt).

There are a few nationalities that are exempt from visas when entering Kenya. Also passport holders of certain countries must obtain a visa in advance rather than at the airport so it would be really helpful to know the OP's citizenship.

I bet the OP is from the USA. Americans think that everyone is who travels.

Download the Visa application and instructions from the Kenyan Tourism site. The instructions will advise from which country you can obtain visas on arrival and from those you can't. If a US citizen, you can get your Visa on arrival with completed application* and USD$50. No photos are required (only if you obtain prior arrival), and it's for a Single entry.

When arriving at Immigration, use the two desks/windows on the right.

It can take a few minutes, sometimes more, but you still have to wait for your luggage to come off the plane, so a good use of time. Also, while waiting for luggage you can obtain some local currency, KSh, from the ATM or currency exchange window. Rates are usually best from the ATM, but the exchange windown is competitive.

*There are applications available in NBO, but it's easier to just complete this beforehand.

what about Canadians? Does anyone know if we can get a visa at the airport?

jonathon

how long to get a visa? - who cares?
- why ?
Sandi is reading my thoughts again...
i wanted to write a comment about visa time vs. luggage but ESP-wizzard-sandi
already wrote: "It can take a few minutes, sometimes more, but you still have to wait for your luggage to come off the plane, so a good use of time"
...

aby - great minds

jonothon - same for you, read the instructions from downloaded Visa application; believe Canadians have same rules/regs/prices as Americans.