All travellers

All travellers to Kenya 12 years of age and over will be, at all ports of entry, required to show proof of either COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted no more than 72 hours before departure.

Travellers with no proof of vaccination or a PCR test, or with flu-like symptoms, will be required to undergo a rapid antigen test at their own cost of 30 USD. Those who test positive on antigen RDT will be required to take a PCR test at their own cost of 50 USD and self-isolate as per Ministry of Health guidance on isolation.

Any traveller entering Kenya with flu-like symptoms will be required to fill the passenger locator form on the ‘jitenge’ platform: https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/ and to undergo a rapid antigen test at their own cost regardless of age or vaccination status. If the antigen test is positive, they will be required to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test at their own cost.

See Exemptions below for more information for unvaccinated travellers.

Travellers aged 11 or under are exempt from needing a vaccination certificate or Pre departure PCR test.

Full details of the Government of Kenya’s entry requirements in relation to coronavirus can be found on the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority website.

If you’re fully vaccinated

Most adults require a full dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter Kenya.

The vaccine must be approved by the World Health Organisation.

Proof of vaccination status

You must present proof that you have been fully vaccinated to enter Kenya. Vaccination means having received the prescribed doses of specific vaccine latest shot at least fourteen (14) days before arrival (not including the day of vaccination).

Kenya will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record and proof of COVID-19 vaccination issued in the Crown Dependencies. Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.

You can also upload your certificate of vaccination to the Global Haven website.

Some airlines may request that British travellers show proof of vaccination on the NHS App at check-in.

If you’re not fully vaccinated

Unvaccinated individuals must show a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted not more than 72 hours before departure.

Children and young people

Children aged 11 or under do not need a negative PCR test or proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to enter Kenya.

Check your passport and travel documents before you travel

Passport validity

If you are visiting Kenya, your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive.

You should have at least two blank pages in your passport on arrival.

Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.

Visas

You need a visa to enter Kenya. Kenyan entry visas are exclusively issued electronically, with passengers required to obtain their e-visas before departure. You can apply for single entry and transit visas on the e-visas website.

British passport holders visiting Kenya aged 16 and over require a valid individual visa for Kenya.

For more information, see the website of the Kenyan High Commission in London.

Work permits

You must have a work permit before starting employment in Kenya. It’s illegal to work without one. This needs to be applied for before coming to Kenya to work. This also applies to voluntary work and the self-employed. You can apply for a work permit at the Department of Immigration Services website. The government of Kenya has promised swift action against those who do not comply, including deportation. The Government of Kenya is prioritising the availability of high quality jobs for Kenyan nationals, and may not grant a work permit to a British national if the job in question could be done by a Kenyan national.

If you’re already in Kenya, and your application for a work permit is successful, you will be required to hand in your passport to immigration for a permit stamp to be inserted. During this period, you should always carry a certified copy of your passport for identification purposes. A local lawyer can provide this.

Yellow fever certificate requirements

You may need a yellow fever certificate when entering Kenya from certain destinations. Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.