extending tourist visa

There has been an amnesty on visas due to Covid-19, but I am unsure whether this is still live.

Apply for an extension in good time at least a week prior to expiry, just in case.  Yes, I believe that you apply online, as visits in person to Nyayo House had been suspended.

Whatever you do, don't place yourself in a situation where you might overstay, as this offence is treated seriously.

The 3 month tourist visa is no longer available at the airport - it has to be applied for online.
That notice is where it says Canadians don't have to quarantine but do have to present a covid-free report from within 96 hours prior to arriving in Kenya.
Thanks for the info about renewing it - I'll do it ample time.
Sarnia

"The 3 month tourist visa is no longer available at the airport"

Since when?  As far as I am aware you can still buy a visa on arrival in Kenya. 

Quite often, you will be given entry for one month, which you can then extend to three, after which you can extend again for a further 3 months.  You must leave the country (and the East African Community) once 6 months is up.

It seems you are right.
I do believe I read it when exploring websites, but looking at the website links I saved there's nothing there saying that.
If I come across it again I'll try to answer you again.
As always - thank you for your knowledgeable responses.
Sarnia

Can you tell me - does one need to book a return flight to be allowed onto the flight to NBO in the first place? If so, does it need to be 3 months later or can it be 6 months later?
Sarnia

Here is the link to get your visa to enter Kenya: http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html
There is a FAQs page too. Maybe that will help.

The law says that applicants for the single entry (tourist) visa must have evidence of onward or return travel and it does mention this on the visa website too.  If you apply for the visa, you have to upload documents (I cant remember whether this includes tickets).

In reality, Immigration Officers tend not to ask. 

However the airlines do tend to ask to see return tickets and you may be dispatched to the airline ticket desk to buy a return half, at considerable expense, if you try and check in without a return, or evidence that you have a right to remain in Kenya.  I have personal experience of this and it was an expensive lesson!

I don't know whether it applies for all departure countries, but the UK definitely will check as will Dubai and Doha (Qatar) and even if you are on a stopover, this is something that might be picked up.

After my experience, I buy a flight with a return date within 90 days of departure, but on a ticket that allows changes, if I extend the visa.

Thank you Longonot - this is what I expected but thought it a good idea to ask.
Many thanks to you for your clear and knowledgeable answers.
Sarnia

You are welcome and thanks.

👀I just arrived two & a half weeks ago from the United States. I am a US Citizen.I got a single entry 30 day tourist Visa at NBO and was told that I can renew online. Oh and I only have a one way ticket. I was asked when I was going back and I said that I didn’t know. 🤷🏾‍♀️

So when you checked in at your American airport they didn't require you to have a return or ongoing ticket?
What did they say - or did they say nothing? What airline did you fly with?

I flew out of JFK on British Airways. I purchased the one way ticket online I was not asked anything about that however I was asked for my Covid-19 test.
I did my due diligence and checked the Kenyan website and the American Embassy. I saw nothing requiring me to return.

Copied from the Kenya evisa website:

KENYA VISA REQUIREMENTS
All Kenya E-Visa types attract a service charge and a card handling fee, although the amounts differ depending on the type of visa. The transit visa attracts a lesser charge compared to the tourist and business visas.

The basic requirements for the single entry Kenya Visa include:
a valid travel document
a photograph of the applicant
a return ticket
The transit Visa requires you to have an onward ticket while applying. Applicants are also required to attach various documents depending on the type of travel.

Business travelers must attach an invitation letter from hosting company together with copies of registration of the company.

Tourists must attach a clear passport photo that follows set guidelines and a clear passport biodata page.

Requirement for a return ticket most definitely there!!

As I said, above, virtually no one is asked for evidence of a return ticket by immigration officers on arrival.  I only have experience of flying to Kenya from the UK and for the last few years, airlines always check for a return ticket, on checking in. 

In any case (at least from the UK) it is also much cheaper to buy a return ticket, than alter the return date, than to buy two singles.........you can't spend more than 6 months in Kenya on a single entry visa anyway.

Natache54;  Just noticed one of your other posts about an extended stay and I assume that you do know that you cannot spend more than 180 days in Kenya, before having to leave the country (and East African Community), then re-enter to buy a new visa.  Hopping across the border (into Ethiopia) to renew a Kenya single entry visa is not as simple as it used to be.

Unlike some countries, overstaying is a serious offence and would likely result in arrest, being fined, or even imprisoned. 

Just saying.................

Longonot62 wrote:

"The 3 month tourist visa is no longer available at the airport"

Since when?  As far as I am aware you can still buy a visa on arrival in Kenya. 

Quite often, you will be given entry for one month, which you can then extend to three, after which you can extend again for a further 3 months.  You must leave the country (and the East African Community) once 6 months is up.

I am already in Tanzania for 4 months. If I now will move to Kenya, I cannot be there for more than 2 months? Is that right?

https://fns.immigration.go.ke/

Go there and create an account. Make an application for renewal of VP from the menu on the dashboard. Upload only PDF files with the application. Save it. Go back to the dashboard. Select "Upload" applications - in theory it will upload the application and the files. Go back to dashboard, check notifications again. You should see it "successfully applied". Then come back in a day or two and check the notifications again