Magical Kenya
KENYA
Kenya is an East African country known for its savannas, diverse wildlife, and as the birthplace of the safari.
Capital
Nairobi
Continent
Africa
Currency
Kenyan Shilling (KES)
US Dollar (USD)
Language
Swahili
English
Time-Zone
GST -1hr
Flight Time
5-6hrs
Did you know… Your favourite imaginary iPhone friend Siri, received her name from a Swahili word which means ‘secret.’ The name also has a double meaning as in its Nordic tongue, it translates into ‘beautiful woman who leads you to victory.’
THE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Let the journey begin.
Africa is the second largest and second most populous continent, covering approximately 20% of the Earth’s surface and situated primarily between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Made up of 54 recognised countries, Africa is renowned for its diverse cultures, rich history, and vast natural resources, including the Sahara Desert, the Nile River, and the Serengeti Plain.
The continent is cut almost equally in two by the Equator, meaning most of Africa lies within the tropical region, bounded on the north by the Tropic of Cancer and on the south by the Tropic of Capricorn.
Kenya has a diverse climate, with coastal areas experiencing warm, humid weather, while the highlands enjoy cooler temperatures. The country has two rainy seasons – long rains from March to May and short rains from October to December, supporting its varied landscapes and rich ecosystems.
The currency used in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES), which was introduced in 1966 to replace the East African Shilling. It reflects Kenya’s post-independence identity, with banknotes and coins featuring prominent figures and national landmarks, marking the country’s rich heritage and economic evolution.
Parents should ensure that their child’s documents are eligible to travel to Kenya and match the criteria below.
If your child has multiple passports and plans to travel with one, whilst their UAE residency visa is linked to another, please make sure they carry both passports during their trip!
Please check all sample documents below, and relevant official checklists to ensure specific criteria are met.
Passport Validity (Minimum):
6 months after entry into Kenya
UAE Residency Validity (Minimum):
90 days after expected return to UAE
School/College NOC Required:
Yes
Parent/Guardian NOC Required:
Yes
Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
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Visa Type: Single Entry
Visa Fee: USD 30
Validity: 90 days from issuance
Passport holders from the following EAC countries are exempted from applying for an eTA: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
All other nationalities are required to apply for an eTA to travel to Kenya.
Visit the Kenyan government website to complete the required eTA application form.
An eTA is valid for 90 days from the date of approval.
We therefore recommend submitting the application to the Kenyan Embassy approximately 4-8 weeks prior to travel.
Parent/Guardian to provide:
- Child’s passport (This must be the passport they will travel on)
- Photograph of child (<3 months old)/selfie
- Contact information (home address, telephone, email)
- Access to emails
- A credit/debit card to complete payment
Parent/Guardian to request from school:
- School no objection certificate – the NOC should include the child’s full name as per their passport, along with the details of the accompanying teacher(s).
Parent/Guardian to request from trip provider:
- Invitation letter
- Flight confirmation
- Proof of accommodation
On average, parents/guardians will receive the eTA via email within 3 days.
If your child is a citizen of one of the below countries, they are exempt from payment, but are still required to complete the eTA application.
- Botswana
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- San Marino
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- The Republic of Congo
- Union of Comoros
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Yes, while an eTA functions as a digital visa, we recommend that since your child is a minor travelling without you, they should carry both a copy of the eTA and a parent/guardian NOC (sample below).
Contact [email protected] to learn of the reason for refusal.
Once you are aware of the reasons for refusal, reapply ensuring to complete any missing information or with updated documents.
- Kenyan Embassy, UAE Website
- +971 2 666 6300
- +971 4 342 8111
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- Villa 12, Dalma Al Kharama Street (26), Al Rowdah, Abu Dhabi, UAE