Increase in Kenya visa fees for earning increased revenue

Kenya, 15th April: From July 1, 2011, Kenya government has decided to charge double Kenya visa charges from all visitors to the nation.

According to the government statement released on 23rd March, 2011 in a gazette notice, the increased Kenya visa fees will aim to cover administrative costs at the Kenya Immigration Department.

The information was released by Finance Minister of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta.

So, from July 1, 2011 onwards, all visitors wanting to come to Kenya or required to pass through Kenya will have to shell out almost double the amount of the current Kenya visa fees.

Changed Kenya visa fees----

• The fees for normal Kenya visas has been increased from Sh2,100 ($25) to Sh4,200 ($50). No wonder, the changes in the Kenya visa fees will have a direct effect on the number of people wanting to travel to Kenya.

• In addition, an increase has also been introduced in the Kenya Multiple entry visas. After the changes, the new fees for Kenya Multiple entry visas is $100 (Sh8,400), exactly double from the previous fees of $50 (Sh4,200).

• There will be higher fees for all applications seeking director of immigration’s approval. The changed fee structure takes the fee from $5 (Sh420) to $10 (Sh840).

• An increase has been introduced in the transit visas taking the fees from $10 (Sh840) to $20 (Sh1,680).

Kenya visa fee hike justified by Kenya immigration—Officials of Kenya immigration department have justified the recent increase in the fees of Kenya visas saying such an act is in tune with the increased administration expenses as higher number of applications were being received for Kenya tourist visas.

Positive contributions of international tourists to Kenya--As per the official figures, there has been an increase in the international tourists coming to Kenya on tourist visas in the year 2010.

The number of tourists to Kenya went up to touch the figures of 1 million in the year 2010 from 952,481 in the year 2009.

Increased number of international visitors to Kenya make significant positive contributions to the development of Kenya’s economy and improving its political stability.

The revised fees for Kenya visas will come into effect from 1st July, 2011 onwards when a common tourist visa is likely to be adopted by the EAC(East African Community).