This guide sets out every UK visa fee from Kenya for 2026, in US dollars with indicative Kenyan shillings. The 6-month visitor visa costs $186 (about KSh 24,500), the Student visa $768, the Skilled Worker visa $1,127 and the spouse visa $2,840. Kenya's odds are unusual for the region: firm visitor scrutiny at 65%, but an 89% work grant rate — one of sub-Saharan Africa's healthiest skilled-worker corridors.
UK Visas from Kenya
UK Visa from Kenya 2026: Fees in Dollars & Shillings, Requirements
UK Visitor Visa Fee from Kenya 2026
The UK visitor visa fee from Kenya is $186 (about KSh 24,500) for 6 months, with long-term options at $696 (2 years), $1,242 (5 years) and $1,552 (10 years). The Student visa costs $768, the Skilled Worker visa $1,127 and the spouse visa $2,840 — all charged in US dollars, with biometrics at VFS Global in Nairobi or Mombasa.
The fee is the government charge paid to UK Visas and Immigration when you apply — non-refundable even on refusal — with shilling figures indicative at roughly KSh 132 per $1 (May 2026). Exchange rates move daily, so budget from the dollar figure and confirm the current amount on the official fee calculator before paying.
The Standard Visitor visa covers tourism, family visits, business meetings and short courses, with every stay capped at 180 days under the multiple-entry rules. Frequent travellers often choose a long-term 2, 5 or 10-year visa for better value across repeat trips. The official fees:
UK standard visitor visa fees from Kenya 2026 (official)
| Visa Duration | Fee (USD) | Fee (KSh, indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months (single/multiple entry) | $186 | KSh 24,500 |
| 2 years (long-term) | $696 | KSh 92,000 |
| 5 years (long-term) | $1,242 | KSh 164,100 |
| 10 years (long-term) | $1,552 | KSh 205,000 |
| Marriage Visitor visa | $186 | KSh 24,500 |
| Visiting Academic (6–12 months) | $322 | KSh 42,500 |
Source: Home Office fee calculator, May 2026; KSh indicative at ~132/$1
What strengthens a visitor application from Kenya:
- Sponsor evidence: if visiting family, include a clear sponsor's invitation letter with proof of the relationship
- Financial history: six or more months of bank statements showing steady balances, not last-minute deposits
- Ties to Kenya: employment, property or business records that show clear reasons to return
- Document checklist: follow our supporting documents guide for your category
- Clear itinerary: confirmed accommodation and return travel that match the stated purpose
Transit visa fees from Kenya
Kenyan nationals passing through UK airports may need a transit visa. The Direct Airside Transit visa costs $57 (about KSh 7,500) for travellers staying within the airport transit area; the Visitor in Transit visa, for those passing through UK border control, costs $103 (about KSh 13,600).
UK Student Visa Fee from Kenya 2026
The UK Student visa costs $768 (about KSh 101,400) from Kenya. Applicants need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from a licensed institution, evidence they meet the English language requirement, and proof of funds for tuition and living costs held for the 28-day period under Appendix Student.
UK study visa fees from Kenya (2026)
| Study Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Fee (KSh, indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa (main applicant) | $768 | KSh 101,400 |
| Child Student visa | $768 | KSh 101,400 |
| Short-term study (6–11 months English) | $314 | KSh 41,400 |
| Parent of a Child Student | $999 | KSh 132,000 |
| IHS (per year of study) | £776 | Paid in GBP |
Source: Home Office fee calculator, May 2026; KSh indicative at ~132/$1
A one-year master's therefore costs about $768 in visa fee plus £776 for the Immigration Health Surcharge — always paid in pounds online before the biometrics appointment, never in shillings. After graduating, Kenyan students can move to the Graduate route for post-study work.
UK Work Visa Fee from Kenya 2026
The Skilled Worker visa — $1,127 for up to 3 years — is the main employment route, requiring sponsorship from a licensed UK employer at the route's salary threshold or going rate, with settlement possible after five years. The fees:
UK work visa fees from Kenya (2026)
| Work Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Fee (KSh, indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (up to 3 years) | $1,127 | KSh 148,800 |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | $2,226 | KSh 294,000 |
| Health & Care Worker (up to 3 years) | $446 | KSh 58,900 |
| Health & Care Worker (over 3 years) | $864 | KSh 114,100 |
| Global Talent (endorsement + visa stages) | $1,054 | KSh 139,200 |
| Global Business Mobility routes | $468 | KSh 61,800 |
Source: Home Office fee calculator, May 2026; KSh indicative at ~132/$1
The route mix is what makes Kenya's numbers stand out:
UK Spouse & Family Visa Fee from Kenya 2026
The UK spouse visa costs $2,840 (about KSh 375,000) from Kenya, covering the initial partner visa for spouses, fiancé(e)s and children joining family settled in the UK, with standard processing up to 12 weeks. Family applications from Kenya are low in volume but clear at a high 89%, reflecting well-documented, genuine relationships.
UK family visa fees from Kenya (2026)
| Family Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Fee (KSh, indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse/Partner/Child visa | $2,840 | KSh 375,000 |
| Fiancé(e) visa | $2,840 | KSh 375,000 |
| Adult Dependent Relative | $5,001 | KSh 660,600 |
Source: Home Office fee calculator, May 2026; KSh indicative at ~132/$1
The UK sponsor must meet the £29,000 minimum income requirement — the most common sticking point, followed by gaps in relationship evidence. The financial rules are set in Appendix FM, so sponsors should confirm their income category before applying; after five years on the route, the applicant can apply for settlement.
UK Priority Visa Fee from Kenya 2026
Standard processing after biometrics from Kenya runs about 3 weeks for visitor and student visas. For urgent travel, the priority visa service at about $688 (KSh 90,900) cuts the wait to 5 working days; Super Priority at about $1,376 aims for the next working day; and settlement applications can use priority to cut the wait to about 6 weeks at the same $688.
Both fees derive from the £500 and £1,000 rates converted to dollars, so the exact figure moves with the exchange rate. They sit on top of the visa fee and buy speed, not approval — no refund on refusal — and may be paused for some categories during peak demand, so check availability when booking at Nairobi or Mombasa.
Kenya UK Visa Statistics 2026 (Success Rate)
Kenya is East Africa's largest UK visa market: 20,794 visitor applications and 5,230 work applications in the year ending March 2026. The pattern is unusual for the region — firm visitor scrutiny at 65%, but one of sub-Saharan Africa's strongest work rates at 89%, driven by Kenyan nurses and care workers. Alongside Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Egypt, the full comparison is in our UK visa success rate breakdown.
UK visa grant rates for Kenya (year ending March 2026)
| Visa Category | Applications | Granted | Grant Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa | 20,794 | 13,685 | 65% |
| Work visa | 5,230 | 4,637 | 89% |
| Family visa | 426 | 378 | 89% |
Source: Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending March 2026
The 65% visitor rate means roughly one in three applications is refused — 7,262 in the year — placing Kenya mid-range for Africa: above Nigeria (61%) and Ghana (57%), far below South Africa (96%). Visitor refusals usually turn on financial evidence and proof of intent to return, so reviewing common refusal grounds before applying is worthwhile.
UK Visa Requirements for Kenyan Citizens
Requirements vary by route, but every Kenyan applicant needs a valid passport, the completed online application and an in-person biometric appointment. A Standard Visitor application typically needs the file below — and at a 65% grant rate, completeness is decisive:
- Passport: valid Kenyan passport with at least 6 months remaining
- Application: completed online form and VFS appointment booking
- Finances: bank statements for the last 6 months showing regular income
- Occupation: employer letter or proof of business or studies in Kenya
- Travel history: evidence of previous international travel where available
- Accommodation: booking details or a UK host's invitation
- Ties to Kenya: property, family or employment showing reasons to return
Work, study and family routes add their own requirements — sponsorship, CAS letters, maintenance funds, relationship evidence — covered in the route guides linked above. For stays over six months, the TB test below is also part of the file.
How to Apply for a UK Visa from Kenya
Every application starts with the online form on GOV.UK, with the fee paid in US dollars and biometrics given at VFS Global in Nairobi or Mombasa — VFS has been the UK's commercial partner in Kenya since October 2024, replacing TLScontact. The steps:
- Step 1: complete the online application on GOV.UK and pay the fee in USD
- Step 2: pay the Immigration Health Surcharge online for stays over 6 months
- Step 3: book a biometrics appointment via the VFS Global Kenya portal
- Step 4: get a TB test certificate from IOM Nairobi for stays of 6+ months
- Step 5: attend the VFS centre with your passport and document checklist
- Step 6: wait for the decision (about 3 weeks) and collect your passport
TB test requirement for Kenyan applicants
Kenyans applying for a visa of 6 months or longer must hold a tuberculosis test certificate from the approved IOM clinic in Nairobi at Gigiri. The test costs $107 for applicants aged 11 and over and $62 for children under 11, payable in US dollars at the clinic. The certificate is valid for 6 months, so time the test within that window before submitting.
If your application is refused
A refusal decision notice sets out the specific grounds — it shows whether to reapply with stronger evidence, request an administrative review, or take another route. Given Kenya's 65% visitor grant rate, addressing the exact refusal reason before reapplying is the single most useful step.
Sources: fees from the Home Office visa fee calculator (charged in USD; shillings indicative at about KSh 132 per $1, May 2026); grant rates and volumes from the Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending March 2026; TB test fees per the IOM Nairobi clinic listing. Figures verified June 2026 at the May 2026 exchange rate.
Frequently Asked
Questions about the UK Visa from Kenya
It depends on the type: 6-month visitor visa $186 (about KSh 24,500), Student visa $768, Skilled Worker visa $1,127 for up to 3 years, and spouse visa $2,840. All fees are charged in US dollars through the GOV.UK application portal under the 8 April 2026 schedule, with biometrics at VFS Global in Nairobi or Mombasa.
The official fee is £135, charged from Kenya as $186 — about KSh 24,500 at the May 2026 rate. It is set by UK Visas and Immigration and paid on GOV.UK during the application; anything quoted above it by an agent is a service charge, not the government fee. Confirm the live figure on the official fee calculator.
A valid Kenyan passport, the completed online application, six months of bank statements, an employer or business letter, accommodation details, and proof of ties to Kenya such as property or family. Stays over 6 months add the TB test from IOM Nairobi and the health surcharge. Work, study and family routes add sponsorship, CAS or relationship evidence respectively.
For the year ending March 2026: visitor visas 65% (7,262 refusals from 20,794 applications), work visas 89% and family visas 89%. Kenya outperforms Nigeria and Ghana on visitor approvals and is notably strong on work routes, largely because of Health and Care Worker applications tied to NHS sponsorship.
Standard processing is about 3 weeks (15 working days) for visitor and student visas, and up to 12 weeks for settlement and family visas. Priority service (about $688) reduces this to 5 working days; Super Priority (about $1,376) gives a next-working-day decision. Peak seasons can extend timelines.
Yes — for any visa of 6 months or longer, including student, work and family visas. The test must be done at the approved IOM clinic in Nairobi (Gigiri) and costs $107 for those aged 11 and over, $62 for younger children. The certificate is valid for 6 months. Visit visas of 6 months or less do not require it.
The Student visa fee is $768 (about KSh 101,400), plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of study, always in pounds. A one-year master's therefore costs roughly $768 plus £776 IHS, alongside the $107 TB test for stays over 6 months and maintenance funds held for 28 days.
Applications are submitted online on GOV.UK, then biometrics are given at VFS Global centres in Nairobi or Mombasa — VFS has been the UK's commercial partner in Kenya since October 2024, replacing TLScontact. There is no direct application at the British High Commission, and it takes no visa payments.
The 10-year long-term visitor visa is $1,552 (about KSh 205,000), allowing multiple entries with each stay capped at 6 months. The 2-year option is $696 and the 5-year $1,242. Against repeated $186 single visas, the 10-year option breaks even after about eight trips, so it suits genuinely frequent travellers.