How To Extend Visa In Kenya

This article covers all the basics about applying for Visa extension in Kenya.

Certain factors can lead to the rejection of your visa application. Most common being a violation of Visa Extension Kenya rules and regulations. Thankfully, you have someone in your corner to ensure that your visa application gets approved.

Kenya is a beautiful country that has something to offer to everyone. Tourism is one industry that brings lots of money and jobs to the people. If you are visiting Kenya, you need a visa. A visitors’ visa can be extended for both long and short periods of time with the help of a visitor’s permit from the Immigration department. Once you have received an extension, and your visa has been extended for 14 or 30 days, you can now apply for a work permit. You will be allowed to stay up to 90 days with your work permit if everything goes as expected in Kenya .

The process of making submissions i.e deposit of your flight ticket and hotel confirmation print-outs is straightforward. One is required to submit these documents at the Immigration office and the other one at the bank.

Getting an eVisa for Kenya lasts for 90 days. However, considering the fact that the country is magnificent with lots to see, tourists wish to stay longer.

How To Extend Visa In Kenya

Kenya’s tourism sector shows gradual development over the past 40 years. Foreigners visit Kenya for various reasons, may it be for tourism and business purposes. One of the country’s best highlights is the prosperous wildlife that attracts a large number of tourists over the past years. Tourism generates more jobs for the locals, and the government sees it as an opportunity to invest in travel services. Hence, the acquisition of travel authorization gets a lot easier. Kenya Ministry of Foreign Affairs also grants extension for existing Kenya visa holders.

Getting a visa extension for Kenya can allow visitors to stay for another 90 days making their tour of as long as 180 days. Getting the extension is an easy process that involves sending a few documents to the Immigration Headquarters in Nairobi or the Immigration Office in Mombasa.

The Kenya tourist eVisa cannot be extended for more than another 90 days, the original 90 days plus additional 90 days that are granted with the extension. In case you leave the country and wish to apply again, you can apply quickly. Since this tourist visa is a Single Entry Kenya Visa, it will expire once you exist the country before your 90 days are up.

Note: If you need to stay in Kenya longer than the extension period, you may visit Kenyan Consulate and embassy for further details.

Applying for a Visa Extension

The Republic of Kenya implements a hassle-free extension for foreign nationals who currently hold unexpired visas. Instead of going to Consulate or embassy, the government transitioned the application through an online portal. Immigration would not like to risk the safety of the applicants by long queues that could make them vulnerable to COVID-19. They aim to bring convenience to anyone who would like their visa extended until the 31st of July.

The application form of Kenya Visa extension looks exactly like the original application form. You must disclose personal information, passport details, travel itinerary, and purpose of travel. It takes only a few minutes to fill the form by answering some basic questions. If you wish to stay longer in Kenya, you will need a study or work visa, which is different in nature. This type of visa has to be obtained from a consulate or the embassy. The process is different and the documentation is different that requires admission letters – for study visa and job offer letter – for work visa.

eVisa Extension in Nairobi or Mombasa

The applicants applying for a visa extension can get it by visiting the offices in Nairobi or Mombasa. Provided that the applicant has all the required documents, the visa extension is granted on the same day when applied. Validation and approval may take a few hours, but results get released on the same date. Both the offices are open at normal office timings from Monday to Friday dealing with clients.

The applicant can also get a visa extension from one of the smaller immigration offices in Kisumu, Malindi and Lamu. However, most applicants are referred back to the Nairobi or Mombasa immigration offices since these are the main immigration offices. In some cases, if the application is simple without any missing documents, the smaller offices can handle the case.

eVisa Extension Requirements

The applicant first needs to fill the online application form for Kenya visa extension and then pay the fee online. This fee varies according to the dollar rates and the type of visa application. The applicants will be required to bring along two passport size photos, which should not be older than 6 months. The passport is also required since the immigration agent will put a stamp of visa extension on the passport.

Applying for the Kenya Tourist eVisa Extension

Those applicants who wish to extend their visa without going through the process can leave the country and get a new eVisa. This is possible by simply crossing the border and going to Tanzania or Ethiopia and getting a new visa from there. Since the visa application is online, this can be done within a few hours. The applicant will be required to enter Kenya only through the main points of entry with a valid Kenya eVisa.

However, if the applicant wishes to apply for a visa extension, the application process is quite simple. The applicant only needs to fill the online application form, which takes only 10 minutes. This application will require the applicant to provide important information like name, address, date of birth, passport number and its expiry. The form will also ask for the applicant’s travel plans.

There are a few more questions for the applicant regarding health and security, which must be answered with honesty. All the information provided by the applicant will be screened so ensuring accuracy in filling the form is essential.

Note: The Director of Immigration Services in Nairobi, Deputy or Regional Immigration Heads in Kisumu, and Deputy or Regional Immigration Heads in Mombasa has the right to approve and deny the entry or extension of foreign visitors.

Time for Kenya eVisa Extension

The normal time for a visa extension for Kenya is about 48 hours. It is convenient for the applicants to apply for an extension at least two weeks before it expires. In order to ensure timely extension on the eVisa, the applicant must make sure that the form does not contain any misinformation or errors. The process can be delayed if there are typing errors or wrong numbers mentioned on the application form. Most applications are processed within 24 hours provided that the application is error free and accurate in every way.

Note: Kenyan E-Visa Extension processing fee has no option for a refund after submission, whether the application gets denied or approved.