BorderProofBorderProof
Explore VisasCompare VisasCountry GuidesNewsAbout
Sign InFind A Visa
Referred Visa
KenyaKenya•Africa
Open

Referred Visa

Tourist

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–2 months

Estimated Cost

USD $62

Stay Duration

3 months

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Overview

A Referred Visa is a category for nationals of specific countries, stateless persons, or individuals for whom there is a security or administrative concern. These applications must be referred to the Director of Immigration Services in Nairobi for approval before a visa can be issued.

The Referred Visa is a high-scrutiny entry permit for individuals from specific countries or those flagged for security reasons. Because it requires manual approval from the Director of Immigration Services in Nairobi, it is not available through the automated e-Visa system. Applicants are strongly advised against making travel arrangements until formal approval is received.

Cost Breakdown

Visa FeeUSD $51
Processing FeeUSD $11
TotalUSD $62

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant3 months

Eligible Nationalities (17)

AfghanistanAfghanistanArmeniaArmeniaAzerbaijanAzerbaijanCameroonCameroonNorth KoreaNorth KoreaEritreaEritreaIraqIraqKosovoKosovoLebanonLebanonLibyaLibyaMaliMaliPalestinian TerritoriesPalestinian TerritoriesSenegalSenegalSomaliaSomaliaSyriaSyriaTajikistanTajikistanYemenYemen

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Class A — Work Permit Class A - Mining and Prospecting (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja A)
Kenya flagKenya

Class A — Work Permit Class A - Mining and Prospecting (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja A)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
Work Permit Class B - Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja B)
Kenya flagKenya

Work Permit Class B - Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja B)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
Class C — Work Permit Class C - Prescribed Professions (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja C)
Kenya flagKenya

Class C — Work Permit Class C - Prescribed Professions (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja C)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
Class D — Work Permit Class D - Specific Employment (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja D)
Kenya flagKenya

Class D — Work Permit Class D - Specific Employment (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja D)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
Class F — Work Permit Class F - Manufacturing (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja F)
Kenya flagKenya

Class F — Work Permit Class F - Manufacturing (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja F)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
Class G — Work Permit Class G - Self-Employment / Freelance
Kenya flagKenya

Class G — Work Permit Class G - Self-Employment / Freelance

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
Class I — Work Permit Class I - Religious and Missionary Activities (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja I)
Kenya flagKenya

Class I — Work Permit Class I - Religious and Missionary Activities (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja I)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
Class K — Work Permit Class K - Ordinary Resident / Retiree (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja K)
Kenya flagKenya

Class K — Work Permit Class K - Ordinary Resident / Retiree (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja K)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
Class M — Work Permit Class M - Refugee Employment (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja M)
Kenya flagKenya

Class M — Work Permit Class M - Refugee Employment (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja M)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
KEP/N — Work Permit Class N - Digital Nomad (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja N)
Kenya flagKenya

KEP/N — Work Permit Class N - Digital Nomad (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja N)

Validity2 years
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
Class P — Work Permit Class P - International Organization Staff (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja P)
Kenya flagKenya

Class P — Work Permit Class P - International Organization Staff (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja P)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
Class Q — Work Permit Class Q - Charitable Organization Professionals (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja Q)
Kenya flagKenya

Class Q — Work Permit Class Q - Charitable Organization Professionals (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja Q)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
Class R — Work Permit Class R - EAC Nationals (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja R)
Kenya flagKenya

Class R — Work Permit Class R - EAC Nationals (Kibali cha Kazi Daraja R)

ValidityVaries (Renewable, effective December 2024 at new fee structure)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details
Student Pass (Pasi ya Mwanafunzi)
Kenya flagKenya

Student Pass (Pasi ya Mwanafunzi)

ValidityVaries (Valid for length of academic program)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a national of a country on the Referred Visa list or meet specific security/administrative criteria.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Duly filled application forms (often Form 22)

Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)

Cover letter explaining the reason for the visit

Invitation letter from a host in Kenya, including a copy of their National ID/Passport

Proof of travel itinerary

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Allows entry for nationals from restricted or high-scrutiny countries

Worth Knowing

  • High-scrutiny manual process
  • Long processing times
  • Cannot be applied for via the standard e-Visa portal
  • Security or administrative concerns
  • Incomplete documentation

Application Process

1

Prepare application documents

2

Submit application through the nearest Kenyan Embassy or Consulate

3

Wait for referral and approval from the Director of Immigration Services in Nairobi

4

Collect visa upon approval

Ready to see if the Referred Visa is your visa path?

Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free to use.

Start Visa Discovery