Did you know that as a Kenyan, you have the privilege to explore over 70 destinations without needing a visa? Yes, you read that right – a world of visa-free or visa-on-entry countries is waiting for you!
Kenyans looking to travel internationally often bump into the challenge of fulfilling visa requirements. Yet, there exists a generous list of countries welcoming Kenyans without the need for a pre-arranged visa.
From stunning locations on remote islands to economically booming nations and several neighboring African countries, the Kenyan traveler is spoiled for choice. Whether your travel plans include vacationing, health-related trips, education, shopping, or business, there's a destination ready to welcome you.
We've compiled a list of countries that offer visa-free access or visa-on-arrival for Kenyan passport holders – all you have to do is book, fly, and smile!
Kenya visa-free countries: Where can Kenyans travel without a visa?
According to the Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports by how many countries they allow the holder to visit without a visa, there are 76 countries that Kenyans can travel to without a visa.
This includes countries where Kenyan passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival, a visitor's permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA) upon entry. In this instance, an e-visa also counts as a visa on arrival if the requirements for obtaining it are uncomplicated, e.g., visa fee, return ticket, and hotel reservation.
Here's a list of countries that are visa-exempt for Kenyan passport holders:
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Antigua and Barbuda |
Dominica |
Kiribati |
Rwanda |
The Bahamas |
Eritrea |
Lesotho |
Saint Kitts and Nevis |
Barbados |
Eswatini |
Malawi |
Senegal |
Benin |
Ethiopia |
Malaysia |
Singapore |
Botswana |
Fiji Islands |
Mauritius |
South Africa |
British Virgin Islands |
The Gambia |
Micronesia |
South Sudan |
Burundi |
Ghana |
Montserrat |
St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
Cuba |
Grenada |
Namibia |
Tanzania |
Cayman Islands |
Haiti |
Niue |
Trinidad and Tobago |
Democratic Republic of Congo |
Hong Kong |
Panama |
Uganda |
Cook Islands |
Jamaica |
The Philippines |
Vanuatu |
Zambia |
Zimbabwe |
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Djibouti |
Which countries issue visas on arrival to Kenyan passport holders?
There's more good news on the travel front for Kenyans: beyond the visa-exempt countries, many destinations offer Kenyan passport holders the opportunity to obtain a visa upon arrival.
This means even more countries you can visit without worrying about getting a visa beforehand, making spontaneous trips and last-minute plans easier than ever.
Here's the updated list of countries where Kenyans can enjoy the flexibility of getting a visa on arrival:
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Bolivia |
Jordan |
Nepal |
Sudan |
Burkina Faso |
Laos |
Nigeria |
Timor-Leste |
Cambodia |
Macau |
Palau Islands |
Togo |
Cape Verde |
Maldives |
Samoa |
Tuvalu |
Comoro Islands |
Mali |
Seychelles |
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Guinea-Bissau |
Mauritania |
Sierra Leone |
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Indonesia |
Mozambique |
St. Lucia |
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Which countries do Kenyan citizens need to apply for an e-visa?
After exploring countries that offer visa-free entry and visas on arrival, let's look at where Kenyan citizens need to secure an e-visa before they travel. Luckily, getting an e-visa is usually a pretty simple process. It usually involves filling out the visa application form online and uploading a scan of your passport.
Because the process takes place online, you can handle everything from the comfort of your home without the need to visit an embassy or consulate. It's a convenient way to plan your trip.
Here are the countries that require Kenyans to get an e-visa:
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Madagascar |
India |
Qatar |
Ivory Coast |
Kazakhstan |
São Tomé and Príncipe |
Iran |
Kuwait |
Suriname |
Albania |
Kyrgyzstan |
Tajikistan |
Bahrain |
Moldova |
United Arab Emirates |
Colombia |
Myanmar |
Vietnam |
Gabon |
Oman |
Bhutan |
Georgia |
Pakistan |
Equatorial Guinea |
Guinea |
Papua New Guinea |
Mongolia |
Countries that require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for Kenyan passport holders
Let's discuss another travel document: the Electronic Travel Authorization, or ETA. Think of an ETA as a lighter, easier visa version. You still have to apply for it before your trip, but it's usually quicker and involves less paperwork. The main idea is to make it simpler for travelers to get the green light to visit a country without the more extensive visa process.
For Kenyan passport holders, there's one place where you'll need an ETA: Sri Lanka. It's the only country that currently asks Kenyans for this type of travel document.
Where can you travel visa-free, and when do you need to apply for an e-visa beforehand? Stay informed by using our handy Visa Checker Tool.
Traveling to Kenya: How do I know if I'm from a visa-free country?
Now, let's flip the script and talk about what nationals from other countries need to know when planning a trip to Kenya. If you're looking to visit Kenya, you might need to get a travel permit before coming. In fact, people from more than 100 countries have to sort this out before landing in Kenya.
In fact, there are only 6 countries whose citizens can come to Kenya without a travel authorization. The visa-exempt countries for Kenya are:
So, if you're lucky enough to be from one of these countries, your trip to Kenya just got much simpler. For everyone else, read on as we give you more details about the Kenya ETA.
From Mombasa to the Maasai Mara: How many days can I stay in Kenya if I'm from one of the visa-free countries?
The six countries we listed above are member states of the East African Community, a regional economic organization formed to improve connections, trade, and travel between partner countries.
Nationals of these countries are allowed to stay in Kenya for up to six months without needing a visa. Additionally, they can leave and re-enter Kenya multiple times during this period.
Kenya ETA: What if I'm not visa-free to enter Kenya?
If you're looking to visit Kenya and aren't from one of the visa-free countries, you'll likely need to apply for the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you set off.
The Kenya ETA is an online travel authorization that has replaced of the traditional Kenya eVisa. It's a digital pass designed to make travel planning smoother and more convenient.
Learn more about the Kenya ETA.
If you've got questions about applying for a Kenya ETA, you can reach out to our customer support team. Please send us a message on our live chat or at help@iVisa.