EVisa to Replace the Other Visas in Kenya from January 2021

The electronic visa (eVisa) of Kenya will now become mandatory for visitors from across the countries that require a visa. Kenya initially launched its evisa system in 2015 for a few selected nations but now it is available to the nationals of 140 countries. The online platform allows all the eligible travellers to obtain permission to any of the African states in a convenient and faster way than going through the application procedure at the embassy. 

Kenya’s Ministry of Interior issued a statement recently, saying that the eVisa system will now be the only way to obtain the visa with effect from 1st January 2021. It means the travellers who are not exempted from the visa will mandatorily need to apply online for the Kenya eVisa before boarding the flight to the country. 

Why exactly is Kenya Expanding its System or eVisa?

Kenya is on the verge of making an extensive shift towards making its services digital. After the launch of its eVisa five years back, Kenya has installed the biometric security technology at the airports to check the phasing out passports. This is done to replace the old passports with the new community of Eastern African biometric e-passports. 

An online application service will be extended to all the travellers who will need a visa for Kenya. This digitalization of services will increase both security and efficiency, which will make it simpler for the users.

The eVisa is symbolic of a successful move as many of the foreign visitors have been opting to make use of the platform that is on the verge of allowing 100% visitors to get their visa online. 

As per the Senior Deputy Director of Immigration Services, Alicent Odipo,” “All passengers from countries that require a visa to enter Kenya shall be required to obtain e-Visa before boarding an aircraft.”

Kenya eVisa Application Process 
 

The travellers who wish to apply for the visa must have a passport which is valid for at least a period of 6 months from the date when the traveller arrives in Kenya. All the applicants need to provide their basic details such as name, date of birth along with their passport information. 

All the required documents need to be uploaded digitally and the documents vary depending on the primary reason for the visit. The visa fee is supposed to be paid online either using a debit or a credit card. 

In case everything goes well, the applicant will receive the visa in a few business days. The applicant receives the visa via the mail and it needs to be presented at the border check. 

From 2021, Kenya’s e-platform will be the only way to obtain a visa to visit Kenya. All applications will now mandatorily need to be made online, upon approval the travel documents will be delivered to the visitors via email. 

Visit the website for more information

http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html