France visa for Kenyan citizens

France’s tourist visa costs €90 at the standard rate published by its authorities; the official site for it is france-visas.gouv.fr. Processing time, as France states it: Usually 15 days after lodging the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; allow extra time to obtain an appointment. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

France has 1 mission in Kenya, with its embassy in Nairobi.

In 2025, France’s embassy and consulates in Kenya (Nairobi) received 4,336 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 3,170. 26.2% of applications were refused. In 2024 it had been 23.1%: the rate rose by 3.1 points. Applications rose by 28% compared with 2024 (3,382).

For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 33.1% of the applications lodged in Kenya that year, from 16.7% at the consulates of the Czech Republic to 60.9% at those of Norway. France’s consulates worldwide refused 14.2%. France was the 8th most applied-for Schengen state in Kenya.

You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in Kenya, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.

For a trip from Kenya to France, the published travel advice reads as follows: the US State Department rates France at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 20 October 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to France (updated 22 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for France (updated 28 October 2026). Each ministry writes for its own citizens.

How long Kenyan citizens can stay in France

How long Kenyan citizens may stay in France is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.

How Kenyan citizens apply

In Kenya, applications go to the French embassy in Nairobi, or to a visa centre acting for France; fees, documents and processing times are published by France.

France and the Schengen area

A Schengen visa issued by France lets Kenyan citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to France when it is the main destination of the trip.

France’s neighbours for Kenyan citizens

Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Andorra, Monaco and Spain require Kenyan citizens to obtain a visa in advance.

French citizens travelling to Kenya

French citizens do not need a visa for Kenya, but they need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before departure; it covers stays of up to 90 days.