United Arab Emirates e-Visa for citizens of Kenya: online application, fees and processing time 2026
Yes, an e-Visa is required: citizens of Kenya apply online before departure.
Data updated on
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Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Our guide to the United Arab Emirates visa from Kenya
Kenyan passport holders must obtain an e-visa or electronic authorization online before travelling to the United Arab Emirates. Apply through the relevant official portal or contact the competent embassy for the current application procedure.
For travel to the United Arab Emirates with a Kenyan passport, travel authorization must be obtained before departure. Check the official portal instructions for the requirements that apply to your application.
Do you need a visa?
Yes. Travellers holding a Kenyan passport must have an e-visa or electronic authorization obtained online before departure for the United Arab Emirates. Do not wait until arrival to start this process. Confirm your individual situation with the official portal or the competent embassy before travelling.
How much does an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates cost from Kenya?
The official fee for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates is not published in a source we can verify. Check the amount on the official portal before paying anything, third-party sites often add service fees on top.
What does a visa for the United Arab Emirates really cost?
The published fee is the government charge alone. Two or three other lines are added before the visa is in the passport, and they are what makes the final bill.
- Government feeNot published in a source we can verify
Paid to the state, non-refundable if the visa is refused.
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
Never compulsory. An intermediary fills the form for you, it does not change the decision or the processing time.
We only display amounts published by an official source. Confirm the total before paying anything.
What documents are required for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates?
Documents required for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates:
- Passport valid 6 months beyond stay
- Online application (no paper form)
- Digital photo (recent)
- Visa fee payment
- Return or onward ticket
- Travel medical insurance
- Proof of accommodation
Documents and fees
The documents to upload and any applicable fees are not specified in the available information. Consult the official portal or the competent embassy for the exact list of required documents, accepted formats and payment arrangements.
How to apply for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates from Kenya
- 1Fill in the form on the destination’s official portal.
- 2Upload the required documents (passport, photo, supporting papers).
- 3Pay the fee online by card.
- 4Receive the authorisation by email, usually without a consular visit.
- 5Show the authorisation, printed or on your phone, at boarding.
How to apply
The application must be submitted online before departure, following the procedure set out by the relevant official portal. Complete the requested steps and submit the required information through the official channel. If you cannot access the portal, contact the competent embassy for current application instructions.
Where do you apply for a visa for the United Arab Emirates from Kenya?
An e-visa for the United Arab Emirates is filed entirely online: there is no counter to visit and no file to hand in. The only address that matters is the official portal.
- The application, the supporting documents and the payment all go through the official portal, from any country.
- Lookalike sites copy the portal’s name and layout, then resell the same application with a margin. Check the domain before you type in a passport number.
- The authorisation arrives by email. Keep a printed copy, some airlines ask for it at boarding.
Using an online service
You never have to use an intermediary. If you would rather have a service fill in and file the application online for you before departure, iVisa does it for a service fee, charged on top of the official fees. It does not change the decision.
File my application with iVisaPartner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you order, at no extra cost to you.
You live in Kenya on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Kenya but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.
Pick your nationality to see the rule
How long does an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates take?
No verified processing time is published for this route. Apply as early as your travel dates allow, and never book non-refundable travel before the e-visa is granted.
Processing times and advice
Processing times are not stated in the available information. Submit the online application before departure and follow only the instructions published by the official portal. Keep copies of the information and documents you submit, then check through the official source that your authorization has been issued.
Before you fly, and at the border
- Passport validity: most countries require the passport to stay valid beyond the return date, and the margin required differs from one destination to the next. Check it on the official source, and count from your return, not from your departure.
- A visa is not a right of entry. The border officer decides, and may ask for a return ticket, an address or proof of funds even when everything is in order.
- Conditional exemptions exist: several countries waive the visa for holders of a valid visa or residence permit from a third country. This depends on the destination and on the document, and we do not publish that rule when our sources do not carry it. The official page does.
- Minors travelling alone or with one parent are often asked for extra papers, typically a parental authorisation and the family record. Ask the post before booking.
- Overstaying is not a formality. It exposes you to a fine, to removal, and to an entry ban that can outlast the trip by years, including for the whole area when the destination belongs to one.
Common mistakes
Avoid unofficial intermediary websites, as they may charge additional fees. Use the official portal or contact the competent embassy if you need clarification.
Plan your trip
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Flights (Trip.com)
Compare flights and airlines for your trip.
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Partner links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other visa types for United Arab Emirates
A tourist stay is not the only purpose. These are the other permits the destination issues and that your nationality is eligible for, each with its own fee and processing time.
Official sources
Guide generated automatically on September 12, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
Online application for United Arab Emirates, with no consulate visit.
- Online filing for e-visa and visa-on-arrival destinations
- Online application tracking
- Paid service, on top of official fees
- Decision made by the country's authorities, not by iVisa
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Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa to travel to the United Arab Emirates from Kenya?▾
Yes, an e-visa (electronic visa) is required. It is applied for online before departure.
What documents are required for a visa to the United Arab Emirates?▾
For the tourist visa application, you will need: Passport valid 6 months beyond stay, Online application (no paper form), Digital photo (recent), Visa fee payment, Return or onward ticket, Travel medical insurance, Proof of accommodation.
How do you apply for a visa for the United Arab Emirates from Kenya?▾
The application is fully online and made before departure: form on the official portal, documents uploaded, card payment, then the authorisation arrives by email. In most cases no consular visit is needed.
What other visa types exist for the United Arab Emirates?▾
Depending on the purpose of stay, the United Arab Emirates offers among others: Job Seeker / Exploration visa, Green Visa (5-year residency), Virtual Working Programme (digital nomad), Employment Residence visa (employer-sponsored), Student visa, Family Residence visa (dependant).
Data verified on 28/10/2026 · Our methodology
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Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
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