The nations of Southeast Asia comprise of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia.
These Southeast Asian countries include:
- Brunei,
- Cambodia,
- Indonesia,
- Laos,
- Malaysia,
- Myanmar,
- the Philippines,
- Singapore,
- Thailand,
- Timor – L’Este and
- Vietnam.
Although these 11 South east Asian nations have much to offer to the average Kenyan tourist, visa application processes and other entry procedures are a mystery in most cases.
This guide to visas for Southeast Asia will make the Kenyan globetrotter’s life a whole lot easier.
What's Covered in This Article
Brunei Visa for Kenyan Passport Holders
Brunei, situated on the northern shore of the island of Borneo in the South China Sea, is one of the smallest yet richest and most under-rated country in the world you’ve probably never heard of.
With a population of less than half a million, its communist society is arguably the closest any country has gotten to achieving a total welfare status.
Brunei’s massive oil and natural gas wealth pays for each of its citizens education, healthcare, and most other living expenses.
How to apply for a Brunei Tourist Visa / Social Visit Visa as a Kenyan
Required Documentation
- Brunei visa application form.
- A Copy of passport with an expiry date of no less than six months.
- 2 recent coloured passport-sized photos.
- A copy of confirmed return flight ticket.
- Contact Details of the applicant.
- Visa fee BND20.00 or its equivalent for single entry visa (B$30.00 or its equivalent for multiple entry visa) ( Visa fee is non-refundable.)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate
Brunei Visa Application Procedure:
- Complete the above required documentations for the Brunei visa application
- Send your complete application package via secured courier.
- Remember to include a prepaid postage self-addressed return envelope through a secured courier.
- If necessary, applicants may also be interviewed via telephone by the representatives of Brunei Darussalam’s Missions Abroad.
Brunei Visa Processing Time:
FAQs on Brunei Tourist visa for Kenya Nationals
Cambodia Visa for Kenya Citizens
Cambodia is increasingly becoming one of the must-visit destinations by Kenyan tourists, NGO workers, ESL teachers, consultants, digital nomads, etc.
If you’re wondering “Do Kenya citizens need a visa for Cambodia?” the answer is yes.
However, there’s good news.
As at July 2018, Kenyan passport holders can get a Cambodian visa on arrival at airports in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. For a fee of $30 plus $6 visa processing fee, Kenyans can apply for a Cambodian visa from Kenya .
How To Apply Cambodia Visa For Kenya Citizens
Applying for a Cambodia eVisa or a Cambodia visa on arrival for Kenya citizens are the most common ways for Kenyans to get a Cambodia business visa or Cambodia tourist visa.
How to apply for a Cambodia eVisa from Kenya
- Create an account at the Kingdom of Cambodia Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation website.
- Fill the Cambodia e-visa application form. confirm and pay securely using your Visa or MasterCard.
- Get approval letter within 3 days
- Download and print the e-visa PDF certificate from your e-visa account.
- Present the certificate to Cambodia immigration officials at border point.
Necessary documentation for Kenyans traveling to Cambodia
- A kenyan passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry.
- Print copy of your booked return ticket. Failure to bring it, most airlines will not allow you to board your flight.
- Have at least US$800 or equivalent in cash. This is particularly crucial if you will be flying Air Asia who are very notorious for insisting on this requirement among travelers from Africa.
- Print copy of your confirmed accommodation in Cambodia complete with contact details for the establishment where you will be staying at.
FAQs on Cambodia Tourist visa for Kenya Nationals
You can only renew your tourist visa once. After the initial renewal, you must exit and re-enter Cambodia to get a new visa. You can do this by going to the neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos etc.
Indonesia Visa for Kenyan Nationals
Thankfully, Indonesia offers visa-free entry for 30 days to citizens of Kenya. So that’s a breeze 🙂
Like Cambodia visa above, for a smooth arrival at Indonesia immigration and onboard your flight:
Necessary documentation for Kenyans traveling to Indonesia
- Print copy of your booked return ticket to and from Indonesia. Failure to bring it, most airlines will not allow you to board your flight.
- Have at least US$800 or equivalent in cash. This is particularly crucial if you will be flying Air Asia who are very notorious for insisting on this requirement among travelers from Africa.
- Print copy of your confirmed accommodation in Indonesia complete with contact details for the establishment where you will be staying at.
Laos Visa for Kenya Passport Holders
Although the answer for “do Kenya passport holders need a visa for Laos?” is YES, fortunately, Kenyans are eligible fo a Laos Visa on arrival at not only the international airports of Laos, but also at majority of Laos’ land border towns.
The Laos visa fee is $ for Kenyans.
How to Apply for a Laos visa on Arrival on a Kenyan Passport
To receive a visa on arrival, you’ll need a Kenyan passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one free page.
Required Documents to apply for a Laos Visa on Arrival
- A completed Laos visa on arrival application form.
- Two passport-sized photos
Laos visa fee of US$30 in cash, payable in Thai baht, Lao Kip or US dollars.
- Please note: There’s an additional “overtime” fee of US$1 if you apply for a Visa On Arrival between 6 am and 8 am and after 4 pm, on weekends, and on Lao public holidays.
FAQs on Laos Tourist visa on arrival for Kenya Nationals
The validity of the Laos visa on arrival is 3 months from the date of issuance, and it’s valid for a single-entry stay from the date of entry and up to 30 days. It can be extended once for another 30 days.
It depends on nationality. For Kenyan nationals, it costs US$30 in cash, payable in Thai baht, Lao Kip or US dollars.
The Laos Visa On Arrival allows you to stay in Laos for 30 days from the date of entry, but you can extend your stay for an additional 30 days.
How do I get my Lao visa extended?
Your Laos tourist visas and visas on arrival can be extended once for a maximum of 30 additional days.
Visit visas can also be extended, but for a maximum of 60 more days.
Do not overstay your visa without extending it. You’ll be fined for each day you overstay in addition to the US$2 fee for the additional days you’d like to extend.
Where do I get my Lao visa extended within Laos?
Extend your Laos visa Monday through Friday (8:00am to 4:00pm, except Friday afternoons) at the Immigration Office in Vientiane at the following address:
Lane Xang Avenue
Chanthabouly District
Hatsady Village
Tel: (021) 219 607.
Documents needed to extend your Laos visa:
- A filled out extension application form available from the Immigration Office.
- Your passport
- A passport photo
- Processing fee of US$3
- Application fee of 2,500 kip (about US$0.25)
- Extension fee of US$2 per day to be extended.
Where can I get a Visa On Arrival in Laos?
At Laos’ international airports, Laos terrestrial checkpoints and border crossings, and at Laos’ Thanaleng Railway Station.
Malaysia Visa for Kenyans
In addition to Indonesia and Singapore, Malaysia is among countries Kenyans can visit in Asia without a visa.
Myanmar (Burma) Visa for Kenya passport holders
Kenyan nationals are eligible for a Myanmar visa on arrival, so long as they apply for a Myanmar eVisa in advance of their trip for a fee of US$50.
Make sure to check out my step by step guide on how to apply for the Myanmar (Burma) visa from Kenya with your Kenyan passport.
Philippines Visa for Kenyans
If your Southeast Asia itinerary takes you to the Philippines, I have good news for you. Kenyans do not need a visa to enter Philippines for a stay of no more than 30 days.
However, be prepared to pay a “Terminal Fee,” which is around US$17 (as at July 2018), every time you go through Manila Airport.
Singapore Visa for Kenyan Nationals
Kenyans do not require a visa to enter Singapore. Plus the immigration process is a breeze and Singapore’s Changi airport is my favorite the best airport in the whole wide world.
Thailand Visa for Kenyan Citizens
.Citizens of Kenya who wish to visit Thailand must apply for a visa in advance at the Royal Thai Embassy in Nairobi.
How To Apply for a Thai Visa in Kenya
The only ways for Kenyans to get a Thai business visa or Thailand tourist visa is by applying for one before traveling to Thailand.
Thailand Visa Requirements for Kenyan
- A Completed visa application form downloadable using the links below :
- Original Kenyan Passport valid for at least six months from the requested visa date.
- Copy of the passport biodata page.
- 1 Colored passport sized photo (4 cm x 6 cm) on a white background
- Supporting documents (e.g. letter of invitation, travel itinerary, return ticket, confirmed hotel reservation etc.)
- Financial evidence of ability to finance your trip to Thailand (you need be able to show you have funds on you equivalent to at least 20,000 Baht/about KShs 60,000 per person or 40,000 Baht/about KShs 120,000 per family)
- Student ID card if you’re a student.For Minors:1. A birth certificate (original and a copy /or a notarized affidavit)
2. A letter of consent (original and a copy /or a notarized copy) from a parent who will not be accompanying the minor to Thailand or from both of the parents if both are not accompanying the minor.
How to apply for a Thailand visa from Kenya
Submit above requirements to the Royal Thai Embassy Kenya offices at the following address:
Royal Thailand Embassy Kenya location
Rose Avenue, off Denis Pritt Rd
P.O. Box 58349
Nairobi
Kenya
Phone:
020-2715800
020-2714276
020-2715796
020-2715243
Fax:
020-2715801
020-2715802
EMAIL: thainbi@thainbi.or.ke
FAQs on Thailand Tourist Visa for Kenya Nationals
The validity of the Thai visa is duration of stay for 30 or 60 days. Extension allowed for an additional 30 days.
| Transit Visa | |
| Single Entry (validity 3 months) | Ksh. 3,500 |
| Tourist Visa | |
| Single Entry (validity 3 months) | Ksh. 4,000 |
| Multiple Entry (validity 6 months) | Ksh. 20,000 |
| Non – Immigrant Visa | |
| Single Entry (validity 3 months) | Ksh. 8,000 |
| Two Entries (validity 6 months) | Ksh. 16,000 |
| Three Entries (validity 6 months) | Ksh. 24,000 |
| Multiple Entry (validity 1 Year) | Ksh. 20,000 |
| Legalization fees (per copy) | USD. 15 |
| Tourist Visa | |
| Single Entry (validity 3 months) | Ksh. 4,000 |
| Multiple Entry (validity 6 months) | Ksh. 20,000 |
Can I apply for multiple entry Thai visa?
The validity of the Thai visa is a stay for 30 or 60 days. Extension allowed for an additional 30 days.
How do I get my Thai visa extended?
If you have a 60-day tourist visa, you can extend it for up to 30 maximum additional days. If you have a 30-day visa, you can extend it for up to 7 maximum additional days.
To get your Thai visa extension, you need to fill out a form and provide a copy of your passport and a passport photo.
The whole process usually takes about an hour from beginning to end.
Extending a Thai visa is such a pain that if possible, it’s easier to just apply for a new visa. Besides, the fee for extending is the same as the visa processing fee.
You cannot extend your Thai visa at a border crossing. Check out this Immigration Bureau Location guide to figure out where to hand in your application.
Either way, do not overstay your visa without extending it. You’ll be fined for each day of overstay in addition to the extension fees for the additional days you’d like to extend.
Where do I get my Thai visa extended within Thailand?
You can extend your Thailand visa a further 30 days at any Thailand immigration center for a fee of 1,900 Thai Baht.
Vietnam Visa for Kenyan Citizens
Do Kenyan citizens need a visa to visit Vietnam? How to get Vietnam Visa for Kenyan citizens? How much is a Vietnam visa for Kenyans? FAQs about Vietnam Visa in Kenya? Details to follow shortly!
Do Kenyan passport holders need visa to Vietnam? Yes, Visa is required for citizens of Kenya to visit Vietnam.
There are 2 common ways for Kenyan citizens to apply for Vietnam Visa:
- Apply Vietnam Visa online (Vietnam visa on Arrival) or
- Apply Visa at Vietnamese Embassy.
Applying for Vietnam Visa online (Vietnam Visa on arrival)
As there is no Vietnam Embassy in Kenya, applying for a Vietnam visa online on arrival is the most practical option; as long as you will be arriving by air, and at the major airports of Da Nang, Hanoi or Saigon.
Vietnam visa on arrival is strictly for those traveling to Vietnam by air through any of its 5 international airports.
With this option, you apply for the Vietnam visa online and then pick up your visa at any one of the above airports.
Vietnam visa requirements for Kenyan nationals
- A Kenyan passport with at least 6 months validity
- 2 passport-sized photos
- Vietnam visa stamping fees. This is the fee that you must pay (in cash) at the immigration visa office (immigration visa counter) on arrival at the airport in Vietnam. As at July 2018, the Vietnam visa stamping fees was roughly:
- US$25 for a single entry visa;
- US$50 for a multiple entry visa valid for up to 3 months;
- US$95 for a multiple entry visa valid for up to 6 months; and
- US$135 for a multiple entry visa valid for up to 1 year (only US citizens eligible).
How to apply for Vietnam visa on arrival as Kenyan?
The term “Vietnam tourist visa on arrival” can very easily mislead you into thinking that you just show up at a Vietnamese airport or border point and enter the country.
You couldn’t be further from the truth.
Actually, with this option, Kenya citizens will need to obtain a visa approval letter beforehand and then get their visa stamped upon arrival at a Vietnam airport.
You first have to apply for the Vietnam visa online through any one of the several online travel agencies e.g. https://www.vietnam-visa.com/ by filling in an application form.
Applying for a Vietnam visa for Kenyan citizens is a pretty straightforward process:
- Fill in your personal details on your chosen travel agency’s online visa application form, including:
- your full name and passport number
- expected period of stay in Vietnam
- number of entries you require
- your expected port of entry to Vietnam
2. Pay the service fee online and receive confirmation.
3. Receive a “Visa Approval Letter” from the travel agency that you use to get a Vietnam visa stamp at the airports in Vietnam. Without the letter, you cannot be allowed to board your flight to Vietnam.
4. Present the “Visa Approval Letter”, passport, photos, and visa stamping fees in cash, to Vietnam immigration upon arrival to receive a visa stamp.
Vietnam Visa Service Fee Charges
This is the fee that visa applicants pay to the travel agency for the visa approval letter processing.
The initial Vietnam tourist visa fee depends on which visa you apply for and which agency you use.
As of July 2018, Vietname visa service fees for Kenyan passport holders were roughly:
- $25 for a one-month single-entry tourist visa,
- $25 for a one-month multiple-entry tourist visa
- $50 for a three-month single-entry tourist visa
- $50 for a three-month multiple-entry tourist visa
How long is the Vietnam visa processing period?
You will get confirmation letter in 1-2 working hours to know the status of your Online Application. And then the Approval Letter arrives within 2 working days.
Some travel agencies can process for you a Visa approval letter for an extra fee, within 30 minutes to 4 hours.
Conclusion
I trust and believe that this Ultimate Guide to Visas in Southeast Asia for Kenyan Nationals was of help to you.
Kindly note that these Southeast Asia visa guidelines only apply to those visiting the countries for tourism purposes.
Should you need visas for other purposes such as employment or business or other visas, you’ll need to consult the embassy or consulate of the country where you wish to work or reside.
Disclaimer:
NO ONE can guarantee the approval of your visa: not me, not a consulate employee, not a travel agent. Anyone purporting to do so is a scam bag.
Feature Image by Daniel Marchal on Unsplash
