Kenya eVisa / ETA for UAE residents - How to apply

Yes. The ban on all passenger flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Kenya was removed in January 2022 by the Kenyan Government. That means travelers from Dubai can now freely travel to Kenya.

Initially, the ban was imposed by the UAE Government over allegations that some Kenya visitors who presented a negative certificate of Covid-19 had tested positive upon their arrival in Dubai. After that, the ban on flights from UAE taken by the Kenyan Government in retaliation for UAE's ban came into effect.

With the removal of the ban on flights, Dubai citizens who love discovering the incredible biodiversity and wildlife on safari tours are welcomed in Kenya.  Several airlines offer flights between the two countries, including Emirates, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines. The flight between Nairobi (NBO) and Dubai (DXB) typically takes about 5 hours and 15 minutes.

Emiratis must obtain a Kenya ETA before traveling to this fascinating country. Fortunately, getting a Kenya ETA is much simpler for nationals of the United Arab Emirates since the Kenyan Government has launched the new electronic travel authorization system. As a result, applying for a Kenya ETA online is the fastest and most convenient way for Emiratis. 

The Kenya electronic ETA is granted to citizens of eligible countries, including UAE, and used for various purposes such as tourism, business, or transit. Emiratis nationals who wish to enter Kenya for reasons other than tourism must apply for a regular visa at the Kenya Embassy in the United Arab Emirates.

Yes. UAE passport holders who are planning to make a trip to Kenya must obtain an ETA before traveling. Instead of queuing at the Embassy or Consulate to apply for a visa, they can apply for a Kenya ETA from anywhere using a smart device connected to the Internet. 

A Kenyan ETA for UAE citizens is a travel permit that enables UAE citizens to enter Kenya. UAE citizens can quickly and easily get Electronic TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION for short journeys to Kenya by completing the application form on the Kenya Immigration Services website. An electronic visa is granted to Emirati citizens for many purposes including tourism, business, and transit. The validity is within 90 days from the date of issuance, allowing visa holders a total stay of up to 90 days.  

While applying for a Kenya ETA from the United Arab Emirates, the applicant must provide some important documents. Therefore, UAE passport holders should check the Kenya ETA requirements for UAE residents beforehand to ensure a smooth process. After the application form and the required documents have been submitted, the processing time for visa application is within a maximum of 03 business days. The approved document then will be sent to the applicant’s email address provided in the application form. 

Kenya draws visitors from all over the world with its attractiveness, including lovely beaches, rocky mountains, and modern hubs. Applying for a Kenya visa online is the most common way for citizens of the United Arab Emirates to obtain a visa before traveling to this beautiful country. 

There are 04 types of Kenya eVisa for UAE residents depending on the purpose of their visit. 

• Kenya Tourist eVisa: is issued to Emiratis nationals who require a visa to visit Kenya for tourism-related purposes. This single-entry visa allows citizens of the UAE to remain in the country for up to 90 days from the date of entry.
• Kenya Business eVisa: UAE residents who wish to enter Kenya for a business trip should apply for this type of visa. It is a single entry visa, permitting a total stay of up to 90 days from the arrival date.
• Kenya Transit eVisa: This visa is issued to UAE travelers who transit through Kenya en route to other destinations for a period not exceeding 72 hours.
• Kenya East Africa eVisa: This is a joint tourist visa that entitles UAE passport holders to visit Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda simultaneously for tourism reasons, with Kenya being the first destination. UAE visitors can enter 03 countries as many times as they wish and stay there for 90 days. 

Yes. UAE visitors are recommended to get travel insurance to Kenya should things go wrong while traveling out of their nation. This insurance not only helps UAE travelers cover their benefits regarding medical, transportation, trip delays, or lost baggage but also raises the chance of visa approval by the Kenyan Government. Especially, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, travel insurance is more important because it covers Covid-19 medical expenses for travelers.

Travel health plans are designed to assist with medical treatment in Kenya. With the fee of US$ 299 per application, UAE residents can purchase travel insurance from Kenya Immigration Service. We are delighted to be a partner with Trawick Insurance, one of the best travel insurance companies recommended by Forbes. There are some medical coverages for a trip to Kenya that is included in Travel Insurance such as:  

• Covid-19 Medical Expenses
• Ancillary Hospital Expenses
• Physicians Visits
• Prescription Drugs
• Ambulance Service Benefits, etc…

UAE travelers with travel insurance that includes coverages for trip interruptions or trip delays may receive reimbursement of up to a $7,5000 policy period. 

UAE travelers who intend to engage in high-risk activities like rock climbing or trekking in Kenya are encouraged to purchase Hazardous Sports Travel Insurance as these activities are not covered in the Kenya travel insurance plan. 

 Yes. Vaccinations are necessary for citizens from the United Arab Emirates who are planning to have a short trip in Kenya. Some certain vaccinations are advised to UAE citizens so that they can stay safe and healthy while traveling to Kenya. In addition, it is essential that travelers from the UAE obtain medical counsel prior to the trip. A physician or other health care provider can make specific suggestions for a suitable vaccination. 

• Covid-19 vaccination: Travelers from the UAE need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before traveling to Kenya. All passengers over the age of 18 will be required to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19. UAE visitors who are fully vaccinated do not need to take a PCR test, while it is mandatory for those who are unvaccinated. 
• Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Polio, and Typhoid vaccinations travelers should consider. You do not need to worry as long as you conduct adequate research and review the most recent travel guidance and information provided by Kenyan Government before your trip.    

The processing time for a Kenya visa is determined by the applicant’s selection in the first step. This step requires UAE nationals to fill in an application form and supply all the necessary information including visa details (number of visa, type of visa, processing time…), and personal data (full name, gender, birthdate, nationality, and passport number). 

• Normal: With this option, UAE nationals have to wait 03 business days to obtain their visa to Kenya. Most visa applicants select this option since it is the least expensive. 
• Urgent: This option allows UAE residents to get their approved document in only 24 business hours.
• Super Urgent: With this third alternative, UAE travelers can expect to get their Kenya e-Visa just within 05 business hours. It is suitable for those applicants who do not have enough time to apply for a Kenya visa by themselves and need a visa service to assist them with this.