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Passport validity requirements

To enter Kenya, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 2 blank pages.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must apply online for electronic travel authorisation in advance of travel. The local authorities recommend applying at least 2 weeks before your departure.

Travellers who currently hold a visa can continue to travel using their visa until it expires.

For information on work permits and residency, check the Kenyan Department of Immigration requirements.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Kenya, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Kenya guide.

Ebola screening

Travellers arriving in Kenya, particularly those coming from Uganda, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), may be subject to enhanced health screening measures due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak centred in the DRC. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Kenya. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking drones into Kenya

It is illegal to import or export drones without prior approval from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). Contact the KCAA well in advance of travel if you wish to bring a drone to Kenya.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Kenya. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking drones into Kenya

It is illegal to import or export drones without prior approval from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). Contact the KCAA well in advance of travel if you wish to bring a drone to Kenya.

Emergency services in Kenya

Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)

Kenya Tourism Federation

Kenya Tourism Federation’s Safety and Communication Center provides tourist advice and emergency help.

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding lawyers and funeral directors in Kenya
• dealing with a death in Kenya
• being arrested or imprisoned in Kenya
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• getting help if you’ve been a victim of rape or sexual assault in Kenya
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call  FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Kenya on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Kenya-Somalia border and northern parts of the east coast

Due to the risk of terrorism from groups based in Somalia, FCDO advises against all travel to:

• Mandera County
• Tarbaj and Wajir East constituencies in Wajir County, except for Wajir Town
• areas of Wajir County within 60km of Kenya’s border with Somalia
• Garissa County - except for Garissa Town, the constituency of Lagdera and the areas of Balambala constituency which lie north and west of the main road which runs from Saka on the Tana River up to the intersection with the C81 Road
• Lamu County, except for Lamu Island and Manda Island

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Garissa Town
• Tana River County north of the Tana River as far as the town of Saka
• within 15km of the east coast between the Tana River and the Galana (Athi-Galana-Sabaki) River

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates 

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook
• Travel Aware on Instagram 

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

You must always carry ID. A copy of your passport is normally acceptable, but police officers may insist on seeing the original document so keep it within a reasonable travelling distance.

Dress code

The coastal areas of Kenya are mainly Muslim. Show courtesy by dressing conservatively away from tourist resorts and hotels – particularly in Mombasa. Wearing holiday-style clothing is likely to get negative attention at religious sites or buildings.   

Smoking and e-cigarette bans

It is illegal to smoke in any public place in Kenya, except in designated smoking areas. If you smoke in a prohibited place, you could get a fine of up to 50,000 Kenyan shillings or up to 6 months in prison.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

If you’re convicted of using illegal drugs in Kenya, you will get a heavy fine and prison sentence. The penalty for possession is up to 10 years in prison. People found to be trafficking illegal drugs could face life imprisonment.

Using cameras in secure areas

It is illegal to take photographs of official buildings, including embassies, or at airports. You could be arrested if caught.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and same-sex relationships are not tolerated in Kenya’s conservative society. Showing affection in public could lead to arrest and imprisonment. See the ‘Social media and dating apps’ subheading for more advice.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Wildlife, animal products and souvenirs

It is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade any of its parts without a licence. If you are caught buying or trafficking banned goods, you could face a fine or prison sentence.