Kenya High Commission London - Visa Services, Address and Appointments 2026

Address and Contact Details

The Kenya High Commission in London is at 45 Portland Place, London, W1B 1AS, in the heart of Marylebone's diplomatic quarter. The consular section serves Kenyan citizens in the United Kingdom and handles passport, civil registration and notarial matters.

The main telephone number is +44 (0)20 7636 2371. The official site is kenyahighcommission.net. Most visa applications for Kenya are now made online through evisa.go.ke rather than at the High Commission counter.

Public hours are typically weekday mornings and early afternoons. The mission closes on UK bank holidays and Kenyan public holidays including Madaraka Day on 1 June and Jamhuri Day on 12 December.

Visa Services Available

Kenya replaced its traditional visa system with an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for all foreign visitors. The categories accessible to UK-based travellers include:

• ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization): the standard pre-arrival authorisation for almost all visitors regardless of purpose.
• Single Entry Visa: available where ETA is not applicable, usually granted for stays up to 90 days.
• East Africa Tourist Visa: a multiple entry tourist visa valid for travel between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda over 90 days.
• Transit Visa: for travellers passing through Kenya within 72 hours en route to a third country.
• Diplomatic and Official Visas: for representatives of foreign governments and international organisations, processed through the High Commission.
• Special Pass and Work Permit Endorsements: issued in conjunction with the Department of Immigration in Nairobi for longer stays.

British citizens use the ETA system for almost all visits to Kenya. The traditional consular visa is mainly used where ETA is not appropriate or for special diplomatic cases.

How to Book an Appointment

ETA applications are submitted entirely online at evisa.go.ke. There is no in-person appointment required for the ETA itself. Applicants upload a passport bio page, recent photo and travel details, then pay the fee online and receive a decision by email.

For consular services that need an in-person visit, including diplomatic visa enquiries and certain Kenyan citizenship matters, appointments are arranged through the High Commission's consular section. Document attestation and notarial work follow a similar booking route.

Print the ETA approval and carry it with the passport on travel. Kenyan immigration officers can request the printed authorisation at the port of entry.

Documents and Requirements

For ETA and standard visa applications, the typical document set includes:

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond the planned departure from Kenya, with at least two blank pages.
• A clear scan of the passport bio page uploaded to the ETA portal.
• A recent colour photograph against a white background.
• Confirmed return or onward flight booking.
• Hotel reservation, lodge booking or a host invitation letter showing accommodation in Kenya.
• For business travellers, an invitation letter from the Kenyan host on company letterhead.
• For East Africa Tourist Visa applicants, a planned itinerary covering Kenya and the other partner states.
• For transit visa applicants, evidence of the onward journey within 72 hours.
• For diplomatic and official visits, the formal note verbale from the sending government.

Documents not in English or Swahili should be translated and certified. The ETA portal accepts uploads in standard formats and rejects unclear scans.

Processing Times and Fees

ETA decisions are usually issued within three working days, often faster during quieter periods. Applicants should apply at least a week before travel to allow time for any clarification questions from the Department of Immigration.

Fees are set in US dollars by the Department of Immigration and paid online when the ETA application is submitted. The East Africa Tourist Visa and transit visa have separate fee tariffs. Consular services at the High Commission have their own price list published on the official site.

Verify the current fees at evisa.go.ke before applying, as tariffs are adjusted periodically by Kenyan authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Kenya removed the traditional visa for British citizens?

Kenya replaced the traditional visa with the ETA for almost all foreign visitors, including British citizens. The ETA is applied for online before travel and serves the same purpose as a tourist or business visa for short stays.

How long is the ETA valid?

The standard ETA is valid for entry within 90 days of issue and allows stays of up to 90 days from arrival. Longer stays, work or study still need permits issued by the Kenyan Department of Immigration.

What is the East Africa Tourist Visa?

The East Africa Tourist Visa is a multiple entry visa valid for travel between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. It is intended for tourism and is valid for 90 days from first entry, supporting trips that combine the three partner states.

Do children need their own ETA?

Yes. Each traveller including infants needs their own ETA application linked to their own passport. The fee for the children's ETA is often lower than the standard adult fee.

Can I extend my stay in Kenya beyond 90 days?

Visitor stays can be extended at the Department of Immigration headquarters in Nairobi or at regional immigration offices. Extensions are not handled by the High Commission in London and are subject to Kenyan domestic rules.

How We Verified This

Information in this article was cross-checked against the Kenya High Commission London site, the Kenya Department of Immigration ETA portal, the East African Community publications on the joint tourist visa, and GOV.UK travel advice for Kenya.

Sources

• Kenya High Commission London: kenyahighcommission.net
• Kenya ETA portal: etakenya.go.ke
• GOV.UK Kenya travel advice: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya