Kenya Visa for Bhutanese Citizens: Steps to Follow
Explore the vast African Savannah that is comprised of some of the most unique animals and birds such as Wildebeasts, Secretary birds, and Cheetahs. To visit Kenya, Bhutanese citizens need a Kenya eTA.
Kenya eTA is essentially a Kenya visa in the online form that does not require Bhutanese citizens to visit a Kenya embassy to apply for it. The online services for Kenya eTA were opened for several different countries by the government of Kenya, which includes Bhutan.
To apply for a Kenya eTA, Bhutanese citizens need to learn about Kenya eTA types, eligibility criteria, required documents, and application fees.
What Types of Kenya eTA are Available to Bhutanese Citizens
There are 3 types of Kenya eTA available to Bhutanese citizens based on the activities they wish to perform. These include:
Kenya Tourist eTA – A Kenya tourist eTA allows you to travel around the country and visit all its tourist destinations. These include the right to go on the famous safari adventure or visit the Great Rift Valley.
Kenya Business eTA – If you wish to enter Kenya for any business-related purpose, such as conducting market research or attending business meetings, you will need to apply for a Kenya business eTA.
Kenya Transit eTA – To save travel costs, many tourists pass through Kenya to reach its neighboring countries like Ethiopia, Uganda, and Somalia. If you choose to travel through Kenya to reach these countries, you will need a Kenya Transit eTA.
Bhutanese citizens must decide beforehand which activities they wish to do during their visit to Kenya. Once decided, they have to apply for the right Kenya eTA type that authorizes them to do their activities. If you are caught engaging in activities that are not permitted under your Kenya eTA, you will be penalized either through fines or even deportation.
Which Documents Are Needed for the Kenya eTA Application?
To apply for a Kenya eTA, Bhutanese citizens will need the following documents:
Bhutan Passport
Every Bhutanese citizen who wishes to apply for a Kenya eTA must possess a valid Bhutan passport. The details of your Bhutan passport will be required on the Kenya eTA application form. Your Bhutan passport should also have a validity of over 6 months from your planned date of arrival.
Travel Itinerary Details
The application for the Kenya eTA requires Bhutanese citizens to disclose the details of their travel itinerary. This includes information regarding hotel reservations, travel reservations, and all the destinations that you plan to visit during your stay in Kenya.
If any changes in these plans occur after you have disclosed the information, inform the Kenya immigration authorities as soon as possible.
Photograph for ID
Bhutanese citizens will be asked to provide one photo of themselves with their application. This photo must allow the immigration officers to verify your identity. For this purpose, it is recommended that you attach a photograph that is less than 6 months old on the Kenya eTA application.
Information for Payment
To submit the Kenya eTA application, Bhutanese citizens must pay the fees for submission. The portal where you will be filling out the application form will offer you different modes through which you can pay the necessary amount. Depending on which option you choose, you will need the appropriate information.
Bhutanese citizens mostly pay the application fees through their credit and debit cards.
Email ID
Bhutanese citizens will receive their Kenya eTA on the email ID that they provide on the Kenya eTA application form. If the request for the Kenya eTA is rejected, the reasons for the same will also be provided in the same email. So, you will need to provide an email ID that you regularly check.
Kenya eTA Application Process
The process for Kenya eTA application is performed entirely online. However, if any Bhutanese citizen wishes to work or attend education in Kenya, they will have to complete the following application at a Kenyan embassy in Bhutan.
Visit the Official Kenya eTA Portal
To fill out the Kenya eTA application form, Bhutanese citizens need to visit the official portal designated by the government of Kenya. Bhutanese citizens can also approach a reliable Kenya eTA partner to complete the application process. It is advised that Bhutanese citizens do not attempt this process through any other means.
Fill out the Application Form
Once you arrive at the official portal for Kenya eTA, you can start filling in the necessary details required by the application form. The questions asked will be different depending on your case. However, these are the mandatory questions that are asked by the Kenya eTA application form of every Bhutanese citizen:
- Full Name of the Applicant
- Passport Details
- Travel Itinerary Details
- Email Address
Make sure that all the information filled in is true to your knowledge and matches what is mentioned in your passport.
Submit the Application
After filling in all the details, you can submit your application for review after paying the appropriate fees. On average, Bhutanese citizens can expect to wait for 72 hours or 3 days before they receive a reply from the Kenyan immigration office.
Once you receive your Kenya eTA, make sure to store multiple copies in both digital and physical form during your visit to the country.
Kenya eTA Validity and Allowed Stay Period
Kenya’s eTA remains valid for up to 3 months or 90 days after the date it was received by the Bhutanese citizen. Within this validity period, Bhutanese citizens can visit Kenya at any time. When a Bhutanese citizen arrives in Kenya, they are allowed to stay for 90 days only.
If due to an emergency or other valid reason, the Bhutanese citizen is required to extend their stay in Kenya, they can do so by applying for an extension of stay at one of the Kenya immigration offices. This extension of stay can only be applied within the valid stay period in Kenya.
How Can Minor Bhutanese Citizens Enter Kenya
The possession of a valid Kenya eTA is a mandatory requirement for every Bhutanese citizen to enter Kenya, including minor citizens. To obtain a valid Kenya eTA for a minor, the parent or guardian of the minor must fill out the Kenya eTA application on their behalf.
If Bhutanese citizens are visiting Kenya with their family, they are allowed to submit group applications to receive a Kenya eTA for each family member.
The Kenya eTA application process is a long and complex process for Bhutanese citizens. So, if you have further questions regarding the Kenya eTA, contact the Kenya eTA Help Desk and ask them all of your questions.