mcpats

I have looked on the web and various prices for Visas are quoted. Could someone who has recently returned from Kenya and Tanzania please let me know what the Visa fees are for Canadians in both countries. We will fly to Kenya and obtain a Visa at the airport and then drive to Tanzania. Thank you.

canadian_robin

We obtained our visas for Kenya and Tanzania from the embassies in Ottawa before our departure. It was a simple and fast process - we downloaded the forms from their websites, sent the completed forms with our passports and payment by courier to Ottawa (with pre-paid return courier envelopes) and both were back within the week. The single-entry (even though we actually entered the country twice) Kenyan visa was CDN$32pp, and the Tanzanian visa, also single-entry, was CDN$75pp.
Robin

mcpats

Thanks for your response canadian robin but we leave next week so I don't want to chance sending away for them. We were in Tanzania 2 years ago and it was $50.00 and simple to acquire them when we landed. No pictures were required that way. However things change so I was wondering if the process is more complicated now.

Percy

I just got back also a few months ago.

I downloaded the Visa forms on the Internet....filled them all out.... got a picture taken and pasted the picture in the little area where they tell you to put your picture.

At the Visa counter at the Nairobi airport, they DID NOT want my nice online form which was all filled out !!! ( picture included ).

They gave me their own form to fill out...NO picture needed and the cost was $ 25.00 US$

Then at the Tanzania Border, same thing !!
I so proudly handed him my online form all filled out with the picture .....

the fellow at the border crossing just pushed my form back to me and said, "That's okay sir, just fill out this one " !

No need of any picture... I paid $ 50.00 US$ to enter Tanzania and that was it.

I entered Kenya again with ther same Visa I got at the Nairobi Airport.

The Visa is no problem to get at the Nairobi Airport or at the Tanzania border crossing.

In fact our tour guide( from Tanzania) told us not to bother to get the Visas in Canada.

( Hi canadian_robin,cold enough for you yet... a repeat Safari looks awfully good right now

sandi

For Canadian passport holders, Visa fee for Kenya is USD$50, for Tanzania it's USD$50. Both can be obtained on arrival. Download the forms from the respective sites, complete and hand-in with passport and funds at desk marked "to purchase Visas". You'll also have to fill in a Health Card*, which will be found on table at Entry/Immigration Hall. Photos are not required if purchasing on site.

*for Tanzania, not sure about Kenya.

If arriving Tanzania by road from Kenya, you will require Yellow Fever inoculation and proof of same for entry and then on your return to Kenya.

mcpats

Thanks everyone. I can hardly wait to get out of this rain on Vancouver Island and back to Africa!! I have missed it every day for two years. I'll post our adventures when we return in February.

Elizabeth_S

mcpats - lots of rain in Tanzania right now - but at least warmer! We're following in your footsteps....

mcpats

I have been watching the rain in Africa but here it tends to rain all day long. At least in Africa it is usually rains for a while and then you get a break. (at least I hope that trend continues). When and where are you off to Elizabeth?

canadian_robin

mcpats: Pity about the rain - we (here in Calgary) have been getting your precipitation in the form of snow - LOTS of snow! Great for skiing but we have been spending much time shovelling the driveway and trying to get off our street!

Just for the record, we did not need photos for either visa application when done via the mail to the embassies in Ottawa.

Sandi - we didn't fill out health cards upon arriving in either Kenya (NBO) or Tanzania (Isebania/Sirare). The Tanzania border post was so chaotic that we may well have missed a step. We didn't have a guide to....well, guide us. Perhaps we missed something!

We had yellow fever certificates but were never asked for them - however, sure as we didn't have them, we would have been asked!

Have a wonderful trip Mcpats and Elizabeth! I'll look forward to your trip reports and photos.
Robin

Calo

mcpats, where are you on Vancouver Island? I'm on the island too!

Percy

Hi Everyone:

sandi....I paid $25.00 US at the Nairobi airport for my Visa.

I was prepared to pay $50.00( website said it was $ 50.00) but it was $25.00 US$

I am reading it off my passport which says:

"Single Entry Journey Visa."
"Republic of Kenya"
Immigration Officer J.K.I.A."
"Fee paid $25.00 "
At the bottom is reads

"Registration required for stays exceeding 90 days."

and yes I did fill out a health care card for Kenya AND Tanzania.

Tanzania border was not chaotic (Unlike for canadian_robin) when we arrived , so I was handed the Visa sheet and the health card.

My Tanzania stamp at the border reads:

"August 31 2009
Sirar Tanzania
Fee paid $50.00 , this is written by pen in ink.
Allowed to stay for 3 months
Employment with or without pay is strictly prohibited."

I think the main thing is , is that it is simple to get the Visa at the location.
I hate parting with my passport.... I don't trust the government !!

mcpats and Elizabeth_S , have a great time and will look forward to your report upon returning.

mcpats

I have heard that Kenya has reduced their Visa fee to $25 until the end of April this year although I have not heard why.

Calo, I am in Courtenay. Where are you?

Canadian_robin, I feel for you! I was born in Calgary and a lot of my family is still there so I hear them complain daily at the moment. We are actually flying from the Island to Calgary connecting to Amsterdam and then to Nairobi so we can visit with my parents and sister for a few hours and we miss the Olympic madness in Vancouver.

Thanks for your details Percy. I agree. I won't part with my passport unless i absolutely have to.

sandi

The Kenya visa fee was reduced to USD$25 (from the regular USD$50) for 2009. Originally this was to extend thru 2010, but it appears it's going back to the USD$50 for 2010.

Being Africa, some may have to complete the Health Card whether in Kenya or Tanzania, and others not, nor asked for it. This all came about due to the H1N1 Flu, so was recent as mid-2009. Whether it will continue now that H1N1 appears to be slowing... who knows. Just be aware that this maybe a requirement.

mcpats

Sandi we will go prepared for either fee. Several websites are saying the $25.00 is in effect until the end of April now instead of the end of the year. I think they were trying to spur tourism again. Two years ago we were not able to go to Kenya. Our tour company cancelled all of the trips there so we ended up just going to Tanzania.

Elizabeth_S

Percy - I'm like you. We could have sent our passports to Ottawa for the Kenya and Tanzanian visas but with our clients in the US we sometimes have to go on short notice so can't really be without a passport.

Percy

Elizabeth_S

Yes, I try to never send my passport away to get a Visa.

Anyplace I can get a Visa at the location destination...that is what I do.

So far never a problem. Have a great trip wish I was going again.

Calo

I'm in Victoria, mcpats....a long way from Africa!

mcpats

Calo we are both far from Africa but not from each other. When is your next trip to the dark continent?

Calo

mcpats, I'll be going again next year....<i>cannot</i> wait!