A holiday or business trip to Kenya is possible again. In 2020, the Kenyan government temporarily closed its borders because of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The borders have now been reopened for tourists and business travellers. Vaccinated travellers do not need to be tested for COVID-19 before arrival. On this page, you can read which coronavirus rules you should still take into account. Last update: 22 March 2023.

Before you go on holiday to Kenya

Do you want to travel to Kenya? Travelling to Kenya has been permitted again for some time. However, most travellers must show proof of vaccination or a test result on arrival. Children up to 12 years old are welcome in Kenya even if they have not been vaccinated or tested. You do not need to be quarantined after arriving in Kenya. The information on this page applies to travellers who are nationals of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland and all (other) countries in the European Union.

Step 1 | Applying for your Kenya visa

One of the most important preparations for your trip to Kenya is to go through the application process for the Kenya visa. Applying for a visa can be done easily online, and after the visa has been granted you will receive it digitally. All you have to do is print it out and take it with you on your trip.
Apply for your visa now

Step 2 | Arranging your vaccination certificate or test certificate

Since 18 March 2022, fully vaccinated travellers are no longer required to be tested for COVID-19 before departure. You may use a vaccination certificate to travel to Kenya if you have received two shots of a COVID-19 vaccine authorised in Europe (or one shot in the case of the Janssen vaccine). A booster vaccination is not necessary. You must be fully vaccinated for at least 14 days at the time of arrival in Kenya.

Not fully vaccinated travellers may travel to Kenya if they are tested for COVID-19 before departure. Valid in this case are PCR tests taken up to 72 hours before flight departure to Kenya. Those who cannot show proof of vaccination or a test result on arrival must take an antigen test at the airport. Travellers must cover the cost of this themselves. Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 do not have to take a COVID-19 test to travel to Kenya.

The test result and vaccination certificate must be used before departure to create a Trusted Travel Code, which can be created on this website.

Step 3 | Fill in your health declaration

Just before you go on your holiday, you have to fill in a health declaration. After applying for your Kenya visa, the status page of your visa application shows how to fill out the health declaration. In the form with which you fill in the health declaration, you are asked whether you have Covid-19 related symptoms. If you have no symptoms, you will receive a copy of the health declaration by e-mail. On it, you will also find a QR code. You must print this confirmation and take it with you on your trip. Upon arrival in Kenya, the QR code will be scanned by the immigration service to check whether you have filled in the declaration.

If it is not possible for you to fill in the health declaration online, for example, because the official Kenyan government website is unavailable, then you can fill in the health declaration form on paper during your flight.

Corona (Covid-19) has led to a temporary entry ban in Kenya that has since been lifted.

Before returning from Kenya

If you are leaving Kenya, your airline may require you to take a coronavirus test. Travellers are advised to check with their airline well before their return flight.

Are you fully vaccinated? You don’t need to take a COVID-19 test nor to quarantine. You must fill in a Passenger Locator Form in the 3 days before you depart to the UK.

Are you not (fully) vaccinated? You must book and pay for a COVID-19 test and take it on arrival in the UK. Also, you must complete a Passenger Locator Form in the 3 days before boarding.

Be well-prepared for your holiday to Kenya

Travel advice from the British government

The above information comes from the Kenyan government, which is again encouraging tourists and business travellers to visit Kenya. The British government is currently giving out a green travel advice for most regions in Kenya. Please note that the north-eastern part of Kenya has an orange travel advice, due to the presence of terrorist groups. Therefore, the Foreign Office advises against all non-essential travel. If you wish, you can sign up here to be kept informed by e-mail about the travel advice for Kenya.

Coronavirus rules can change

Bear in mind that the coronavirus rules can change at any time. This applies to the coronavirus prevention measures determined by the Kenyan government, but also to those of the British government. It is therefore wise to book a flight or holiday that you can change or cancel free of charge. It is also advisable to check with your travel agent, before booking and again before departure, whether there are any additional measures that you should take into account. Also check if your travel insurance covers any coronavirus-related damages, for example if your trip has to be cancelled. You might be able to recover some of the costs of your trip through your travel organisation, but the cost of the Kenya visa cannot be refunded.

Preparations not related to COVID-19

This page explains the rules related to the coronavirus that you should definitely take into account. To be well-prepared for your trip to Kenya, it is advisable to also read the general travel advice for Kenya. You must also meet the Kenya visa requirements, which also applied before COVID-19.

Disclaimer: This article about the coronavirus in Kenya is updated regularly with great care. Nevertheless, no guarantee can be given that all the information in this article is at all times current and complete. Please check with your travel agent whether your travel plans are likely to go ahead and whether there are any additional requirements you should take into account before applying for your Kenya visa.