Q. What are the immigration requirements?

Visa

 A Visa is required for entry by all visitors traveling to Kenya with the exception of those who fall under the following categories:

 (i) Holders of re-entry passes to Kenya,

 (ii) Citizens of those countries with which has reciprocal visa abolition Agreement; Germany,Finland,Italy,Norway,Ethiopia,San Marino,Spain,Sweden,Turkey and Uruguay.

(iii) Holders of United Nations Laissez Passes on official duty

Visitors Pass is issued gratis at the port of entry valid up to a period of three months and subject to possession of an onward/return air ticket.

(v) Nationals from the following countries do not require visas: – Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Botswana, British Subjects (being ‘Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies with a right of abode in the UK), Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, Gambia, Germany, Grenada, Irelands, Italy, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

As of June 1999 Citizens of the following countries: USA, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Japan, Austria and New Zealand do not require Visas for visits not exceeding thirty (30) days.

Types of Visas: –

(i) Single Entry Visa – for a period of stay not exceeding 90 days
(ii) Multiple Entry Visa – for a period of stay not exceeding one year

Entry Permits

Entry permits are normally issued under different kinds of classes i.e. class A – L depending on the work a person is engaged in.

• Dependant Pass
• Pupils pass
• Visitors Pass
• In-transit Pass
• An interstate Pass
• Prohibited immigrant’s pass
• Special Pass

Q what are the health requirements when travelling to Kenya?

Nationals from some countries require Immunization against Yellow fever and Cholera.

Anti-malaria Pills should be taken particularly if the visitors will be traveling to the Western and Coastal regions of Kenya.

Q What are the Customs regulations

Non-Kenyan citizens (first time arrivals) are permitted to import used household goods and personal effects duty-free within three months of Work Permit being issued.

·        Customer must be present at Customs clearance

·        Goods are subject to 100% Customs verifications

 Documents required:

·        Pass Port (original) – (If issued within last two years the old passport is also required

·        Entry Permit for non-Kenyan citizens

·        Baggage declaration Form C-18 signed by customer

·        Bank Release

·        Inventory in English, valued and detailed showing the number of packages and in triplicate

·        Insurance Certificate Invoices for electrical items and serial number

·        Certificate of change of address

Dutiable/Restricted items

·        Alcoholic beverages

·        New items (May require Import License and are subject to payment of Customs duties and taxes)

·        Fabric pieces

·        Trade goods or goods for sale or disposed to other persons

·        Aircraft and vessels of all kinds

·        Used machinery

·        All computers whether new or old (except under diplomatic status) or unless imported by a student who is studying computer studies

Prohibited items

·        Weapons, silencers, ammunitions, toy guns and explosives, including tear gas

·        Firearms require a Certificate to be issued by Nairobi Firearms Bureau for import

  ·        Plant, seeds, bulbs, fresh fruit and vegetables (unless a permit is obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture stating plants are free from disease) Pornographic material

·        Drugs

·        Political literature

Motor Vehicles

Importation highly restricted and time consuming. First time arrivals to Kenya and returning Kenya citizens residing outside Kenya for a minimum of two years are permitted to import one auto duty-fee provided auto is less than 2,500 cc and is not sold within 12 months of importation.

Vehicles less than 10 years prohibited in line with requirements stipulated under Kenya Bureau of Standards Act.

Documents required

• Import Declaration form (IDF), Clear Report (IDF) and Clear Report Finding(CRD)
  
• Authority to import vehicle letter
  
• Log Book
  
• Certificate of Registration (indicate engine and chassis number, first date of registration and engine capacity)
  
• Certificate of local value
  
• Passport (if issued within last two years, the old passport is also required)
  
• Customs C15 Form
  
• New autos require invoice bearing engine and chassis number Work Permit
  

Pets

• Import permit must be obtained from the Veterinary Department at Kabete,Nairobi prior to shippin
• Up to date Vaccination
• Certificate from country of origin must be provided on arrival
• Dogs and cats are exempt from Value Added Tax but are dutiable
• Birds and Bird eggs are prohibited