Kenya High Commission

Frequently Asked Questions

Visas

1. Q. When is a transit visa issued?
   A. A transit visa may be issued prior to a visit for the purpose if connecting flights (max. 48 hours)
2. Q. Is the High Commission the only place an Australian passport holder can get a visa?
   A. No, An Australian passport holder may be issued with a visa at any port of entry to Kenya provided they meet the usual immigration formalities.
3. Q. The visa endorsement in a passport, does it allow a visitor to stay in Kenya?
   A. No, in addition to the visa endorsement, the visitor is issued with a visitor's pass free of charge at the port of entry. The visitor's pass gives the period of time the visitor should stay in the country, with a maximum of 3 months.

Passports,Citizenship & Travel Documents

Section 90 of the Constitution of Kenya states that:-
A Person born outside Kenya after 11th December 1963 shall become a citizen of Kenya at the date of his/her birth if at that date his/her father is a citizen of Kenya.

1. Q. What are the requirements if I need a travel Document/Passport for my child born in Australia?
   A. Complete form PP2 for under 16, two photographs, fee of AU$ 25 for certificate of identity or AU$ 50 for a Passport, child's birth certificate which shows the name of the father and proof that the father was a Kenyan when the child was born.
2. Q. What if the name of the father does not appear on the birth certificate and the mother is a Kenyan?
   A. Complete form PP2 for under 16 years, two photographs, fee of AU$ 50.00 for certificate of identity (one way), birth certificate and mother's passport.
3. Q. What happens to the child upon arrival in Kenya? Can a passport be applied for him/her?
   A. Upon arrival in Kenya, you are advised to apply for a Dependant's Pass for the child at the Immigration Office. Get the child registered as a Kenya citizen. The child can be issued with a passport after registration if application is made.
4. Q. What happens to a child born in Australia of a Kenyan mother and a foreign father?
   A. Such a child is not a Kenya citizen and cannot be issued with a Kenya passport nor be endorsed on mother's passport.
5. Q. What happens to a person who is under 23 and has dual nationality?
   A. If such a person wishes to retain Kenyan citizenship, he/she is advised to renounce other nationality before the age of 23 years. Failure to renounce results in automatic loss of Kenya citizenship after age 23.
6. Q. How long does it take to have a Travel DOcument issued?
   A. It is issued within 24 hours.
7. Q. Are passports issued at the High Commission?
   A. No, they are issued at the Immigration Office in Nairobi.
8. Q. How long do passports take to be issued?
   A. Between 1-3 months.

Work Entry Permits

1. Q. What does one need if they wish to work in Kenya as employees?
   A. The employer in Kenya should apply for the Entry Work Permit from the Principal Immigration Officer whose address is PP Box 30191, Nairobi.
2. Q. What if I reside in Kenya without engaging in employment or any work paid or unpaid?
   A. Apply for a Class K permit directly to the Principal Immigration Officer.
3. Q. How do I get the entry permit form?
   A. You can download it here (1.7MB Zip file).
4. Q. Do I send money to the Principal Immigration Office with the application form?
   A. No. The Immigration Office will let you know when and how much to pay.