A Kenya visa extension is officially called an extension of your visitor’s pass, and you apply for it online through the Directorate of Immigration Services before your current stay runs out. The Directorate states that a foreign national may extend a visitor’s pass to a maximum of six months. This guide explains who can apply, the documents you need, how to apply step by step, where to submit your papers, and what happens if you stay longer. Every rule below comes from Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services and its official portals.
What is a visitor’s pass in Kenya?
A visitor’s pass is the permission to stay that the immigration officer gives you when you arrive, and the Directorate explains that visitor’s passes are issued at the point of entry. It is separate from your eTA, which only gives you permission to travel.
The official eTA portal makes the same point: once you arrive, the duration of your stay is determined at the point of entry. Check the number of days written or stamped on your entry endorsement, because that is the date your extension must be filed before.
Who can apply to extend their stay in Kenya?
Anyone in Kenya on a visitor’s pass who wants to stay longer can apply, because the official information pack says the service applies to persons with a visitor’s pass seeking to extend the duration of stay. This includes eTA holders, such as Somali passport holders visiting family, once they have entered Kenya.
Citizens of the East African partner states listed on the eTA portal have a longer starting allowance, as they are exempt from the eTA for a period not exceeding 180 days. If you plan to work or study rather than visit, look at the Directorate’s work permits and passes instead of a visitor’s pass extension.
How long can I extend my stay?
The maximum is six months, as the Directorate states that a visitor’s pass can be extended to a maximum of 6 months upon application in the prescribed manner. The officer decides how much extra time you actually receive, so do not assume you will get the full amount.
Plan your return flight only after you receive the approved extension, and keep the approval with your passport until you leave Kenya.
What documents do I need for a Kenya visa extension?
You need a completed online application (Form 22), a copy of your passport’s bio-data page, and a copy of your current visitor’s pass or entry endorsement. The Directorate also asks for proof of any pending application, such as a permit or pass, where applicable.
| Document | What it is | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Form 22 | The online application generated on the eFNS portal, printed and signed | eFNS information pack |
| Passport | A copy of your valid passport, including the bio-data page | Directorate of Immigration Services |
| Visitor’s pass | The original and a copy of your current visitor’s pass or entry endorsement | eFNS information pack |
| Pending application | Proof of any permit or pass application you are waiting on, if you have one | Directorate of Immigration Services |
Bring originals as well as copies when you submit. The information pack warns that incomplete applications will not be accepted.
How do I apply for a Kenya visa extension step by step?
You apply online on the eFNS portal using an eCitizen single sign-on account, print the Form 22 it generates, and then present it with your documents at an immigration office. Progress updates come to you by email.
The steps, as set out in the official eFNS information pack:
- Create an account on the Government of Kenya single sign-on portal (eCitizen).
- Log in with that account to open the eFNS portal.
- Select “Apply now”, open the “Submit Applications” tab and choose the Foreign National tab.
- Complete the visitor’s pass extension application and upload your documents. The system generates Form 22.
- Print and sign the form.
- Present the printed application and all requirements at the immigration counter.
- Watch your email for automatic notifications on the progress of your application.
Where do I submit my extension application?
The information pack names the Immigration Counter at Nyayo House, Nairobi, and also allows application print-outs to be presented at the immigration headquarters or the nearest immigration office. For most of our customers in Eastleigh, Nyayo House in the city centre is the closest option.
Go early in the day with all originals and copies in one folder, as the counter will not accept an incomplete file.
How much does a Kenya visa extension cost?
The official page is not consistent on this point. The Directorate’s extension page lists an application and processing fee of USD 50, but the same page also says the service attracts no charges.
Confirm the amount shown on the eFNS portal before you pay, and keep your payment receipt with your application. If you use Sky Bridge, we check the current fee for you before you submit.
Do I need to register as a foreign national if I stay longer than three months?
You may. The eFNS information pack says the law requires all foreigners resident in Kenya for more than 90 days to be registered, and it exempts visitors who stay for a continuous period of no more than three months with a valid visitor’s pass.
If your extension takes your total stay beyond three months, ask the immigration officer whether you also need a Foreign National Certificate (alien card). Sorting this out at the same visit saves you a second trip.
What happens if I overstay my visitor’s pass?
Overstaying is an offence, so apply for your extension before your current pass expires. The information pack warns that any person who contravenes an order issued to a foreign national commits an offence and is liable to a fine, imprisonment or both.
It also states that giving false or misleading information is an offence punishable by law, so make sure every detail on Form 22 matches your passport.
Can Sky Bridge help me extend my stay in Kenya?
Yes. Our team in Eastleigh prepares your eFNS application and Form 22, checks your documents against the official list, and tells you exactly what to bring to Nyayo House. We can also book your onward or return flight once your extension is approved.
Chat with us on WhatsApp, call +254 720 830 177, or visit us at Al Mukkaram Shopping, Floor 5 Room 7, Eastleigh. See also our visa renewal service and our Kenya eTA guide.
About this guide: Last checked against official sources on 23 September 2026. Written by the Sky Bridge Travel Agency team in Eastleigh, Nairobi. All requirements are taken from the Directorate of Immigration Services, its eFNS information pack and the official eTA portal. Immigration rules can change, so always confirm on the official portal before you apply.