Passport Atlas

Entering Kenya

Kenya playbook updated 2026-09. Openness first, then how to apply and how to stay.

Openness rank

#2

Entry openness

198

Visa free

77

Visa required

0

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Country profile

Capital

Nairobi

Population

53.3 million

Area

582,650 km²

Currency

Kenyan shilling KES

Languages

English, Swahili

Time zone

UTC+03:00

Foreign-born

992,536 · 2024

Migrant share

1.8%

Ethnic groups · 2019

Kikuyu17.1%
Luhya14.3%
Kalenjin13.4%
Luo10.7%
Kamba9.8%
other8.2%
Other26.5%

Foreign-born counts are UN international migrant stock via the World Bank (mostly 2024). Ethnic groups follow each country's published categories — most do not census by skin colour. Indicative only.

Travel notes

Plug

Type G

Mains

230 V · 50 Hz

Driving

Left

Emergency

Police 999 · Ambulance 999

Dialing code

+254

Airports

NBO · MBA · WJR · WIL

Highlights

Maasai Mara
Amboseli
Lamu Old Town
Nairobi National Park

Kenya Passport Visa site Immigration site

How to get a visa

Kenya ETA
Visit / tourism · Often 90 days
- Approval at etakenya.go.ke before boarding, checked on arrival.

Immigration routes

Work or investor residence
Employer sponsor
Work permits are employer-led at Immigration.
Leads to PR：Work permits are employer-led at Immigration.

PR & citizenship

Long-term residence

Time to PR：Depends on the route

Lawful status, clean record, means or a sponsor.

Naturalisation rules vary — check immigration before filing.

Passports that enter without a prior visa

TeTA121

United Arab Emirates

Antigua and Barbuda

Solomon Islands

North Macedonia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Marshall Islands

Dominican Republic

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