Indian Visa For Kenyan Citizens
However, not many Kenyans know that they can also get Visa to India. The Indian government has made it possible for Kenyans to have a visa on arrival. This makes it easy and convenient for citizens to travel around the country.
What is an Indian Visa? An Indian Visa is a permit issued by the Consulate of India that is explicitly required by law in order to travel to, or transit through the Republic of India.
You don’t need to be a Kenyan national with an American or British passport to travel and stay in India. However, you should possess one of the following visas:
Kenya and India enjoy good diplomatic ties that are strengthened by constant high level visits. This is combined with people to people contact like the thousands of Kenyans who live and work in North India.
The Republic of India is a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic. The union of 29 states and 7 union territories has a population of over 1.2 billion Indian people. The capital city is New Delhi. The official languages are Hindi and English.
Indian Visa For Kenyan Citizens
Since the implementation of the Indian electronic visa, Kenya, along with other 160 countries, is eligible to apply for any of the types of India eVisas offered by the country.
India has grown in popularity amongst travelers in the last couple of years topping charts with ten million visitors entering the country annually, including Kenyan citizens.
Types of Indian Visas for Kenya
The Republic of India has launched different types of visas due to the various travel reasons visitors may have.
Kenyans who plan to visit the Republic of India should keep in mind the type of visa they need before starting the application.
Tourist visa to India from Kenya
The Indian tourist eVisa is the most common type of permit applied for by eligible nationals, in 2019 more than one million tourists requested this visa.
This type of visa is also granted to those who are visiting friends and relatives as well as those who wish to attend a yoga retreat center, for instance.
The India tourist visa is a multiple-entry permit that allows the visitor to stay for up to 90 days per entry. This permit has a validity of one year from the date of issue.
Traveling for business from Kenya to India
For those who wish to enter India for business purposes, Indian officials introduced in 2017 the India e-business visa, with this permit the holder can stay for up to 180 consecutive days inside the country.
This permit is a multiple-entry visa with a one-year validity from the date issued. It is required for the applicant to have specific documents such as a business card or business letter. Upon arrival, they will also need to answer questions regarding the receiving and sending organizations.
Medical treatments for Kenyans in India with an eVisa
Those seeking medical treatment in India can apply for the India e-medical visa, they will need a letter from the receiving hospital.
This visa is a triple-entry visa with a period of permanence of 60 days, the second and third entry to India must occur during this 60-day period. The validity of the eMedical visa is 120 days from the date issued.
Relatives of those receiving medical treatment can apply for the India e-medical attendant visa. This permit can be granted to two family members. The validity, number of entries, and period of stay within the country is the same as the e-medical visa.
Each type of visa requires a series of documents and eVisa India requirements that need to be met in order to submit the application.
India eVisa Application for Kenyan Citizens
The Indian eVisa for Kenyan nationals is a fast and easy application that is completed online.
The application process for a visa to India takes 10-20 minutes to complete. In filling an online form, the applicant from Kenya must provide personal information and passport details.
Applicants will find questions regarding personal information, health and security matters, and passport details.
Some of the Indian eVisa conditions for Kenyans include:
- Having a valid Kenyan passport with at least a 6-month validity and two blank pages
- Being of adult age (18 or older). If there are Kenyan children traveling to India, they will need their own, separate eVisa application
- Email address where the Kenyan applicant will receive their visa and possibly other important notifications
- Debit or credit card to pay the application fee
Personal information:
- Name and last names (as shown on passport)
- City and country of birth
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Nationality
Passport details:
- Passport number
- Date of issue and expiry
Other information that may be required:
- Health conditions
- Criminal records
- Marital status
- Religion
- Profession
- Port of entry
It is important that Kenyan citizens answer all the questions correctly and fully or their application can be denied.
The approval process takes 2-4 days. After approval, all e-Visas must be printed out and carried by the holder of Kenya at all times during their stay.Apply for e-Visa
Arriving in India: Ports of Entry Available From Kenya
India is a vast country with many ports of entry. It is possible to use the eVisa to cross the border via air and sea, but currently, it is not possible to enter via land.
There are 26 designated ports and 5 seaports, the Kenyan national who is applying must know what port of entry they will arrive at as they submit the application.
The reasons to visit the Indian territory can vary from tourism, yoga and meditation practices, business, and increasingly more commonly now, medical treatment. Some trips to the country even include the purpose of volunteering in India.
When entering the country, Kenyan should also know some of the rules and norms to drive in India, as well as the best time of year to enter the country.