Kenya business visa: eTA for meetings, Special Pass for short work

A visitor's pass covers holidays, visits and other temporary purposes approved by the officer, but its holder may not accept or engage in any employment, paid or unpaid, or any other income-generating activity without written permission. Regulation 30(7) adds that a person coming to Kenya to work or earn income for up to three months is not to be given a visitor's pass and must apply for a Special Pass instead.

In practice, meetings with partners, site visits, trade fairs and conferences are business visits on an eTA. Hands-on tasks for a Kenyan client or employer, short consultancy assignments, performances or volunteering that amounts to work call for a Special Pass, and longer engagements need a work permit (for example Class D or Class G).

The Directorate describes the Special Pass as authorisation for a foreigner to enter and remain in Kenya for up to six months to conduct business, trade or a profession temporarily. Under regulation 33 it may also be issued to someone applying for a permit or pass, seeking review of a refused permit, or for another purpose an officer considers suitable. It allows re-entry at any time while valid.

The application uses Form 32, filled in, signed and stamped by the organisation, with a detailed cover letter to the Director General of Immigration Services, a photo, the passport bio page, the current immigration status if already in Kenya, the organisation's certificate of incorporation, certified academic and professional certificates, a CV, copies of earlier permits or passes, a receipt for any pending permit application and, where relevant, a clearance letter from the regulatory body. Documents in other languages must be translated into English by an embassy, notary or recognised institution.

Apply for the standard eTA (USD 30) or, for frequent trips, the one-year multiple-entry eTA (USD 300). Besides the passport, photo, itinerary and accommodation booking, the eTA portal asks business travellers for an invitation letter from the company in Kenya and a copy of that company's registration. Conference participants upload the invitation or participation letter. From 5 October 2026 the Kenyan inbound travel health insurance is also required for stays under 12 months.

The Special Pass costs USD 200 per month for non-East Africans and is charged upon approval; citizens of East African Community partner states receive it free. The Directorate's 2025 service charter sets seven working days for a decision. After issue, the e-pass is printed from the eFNS portal and presented with the passport at an immigration office for endorsement, which is free.