WT/MIN(15)/INF/3/Rev.1  
8 October 2015  
(15-5230)  Page: 1/10  
Ministerial Conference 
Tenth Session 
Nairobi, 15-18 December 2015  Original: English  
 
 NOTE TO DELEGATIONS 
INFORMATION CONCERNING VISAS 
Revision  
Please find below a communication from the MC10 Kenyan National Preparatory Committee 
concerning visas, dated 6 October 2015.  
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 1  GENERAL INFORMATION 
1.1.  This note contains updated and additional information about the visa application processes 
for participants of the Tenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC10) and explains the specific 
requirements for single-entry visas as well as the different means of processing visa applications. 
Delegates are requested to review this information carefully in case of changes from the earlier 
version originally circulated as WT/MIN(15)/INF/3.  
1.2.  From 7 September 2015, both online and ma nual systems have been put in place to process 
visa applications. The Kenyan Ministry of Interi or and Coordination of National Government had 
previously put in place measures to process certain visa applications exclusively online by 1 
September 2015. However, manual and online systems will run concurrently to process visa applications for delegates attending MC10. 
1.3.  Some participants are not required to have a visa to enter the Kenyan territory. Kenya's Visa 
Waiver Programs provide visa-free entry for nationals of approximately 40 WTO Members and 
Observers and also waives the entry-visa requirem ent for holders of certain diplomatic and service 
passports. Please refer to Annex I (for WTO Member s) and Annex II (for WTO Observers) to verify 
whether a visa is needed based on the participant's nationality and type of passport. 
1.4.  Visit visas for journalists will be issued to registered foreign journalists and reporters entering 
Kenya for media coverage of MC10. This visa can be obtained at the Kenyan Embassies or 
Consular Missions in the journalist or reporter's country of residence, or in the nearest country if 
no Kenyan representation exists in the participant's country of residence.  
1.5.  Participants required to possess a visa are advised to obtain one as early as possible . While 
visas on arrival will be available for some delegates traveling through Jomo Kenyatta International 
Airport, it is strongly advised to secure all necessary visas before arriving in Kenya .  
2  VISA REQUIREMENTS 
2.1.  Invitation letters are required for all visa applications. For this purpose, a letter from the 
Chair of the Ministerial Conference (Cabinet Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amb. Dr. Amina Mohamed) will invite all WTO Members and Observers to MC10. The WTO Secretariat will circulate this letter of invitation to all WTO Members and Observer 
Governments to forward on to members of their delegations. WT/MIN(15)/INF/3/Rev.1 
 
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  2.2.  Evidence of arrangements for transport out of Kenya (a return ticket) is a general 
requirement for all visa applications. Before initiating the visa process, applicants should ensure they can furnish proof of travel arrangements to include with the visa application. 
2.3.  Visa processing via Kenya's Diplomatic and Consular representations abroad or applying for a 
Visa on Arrival will require a completed visa application form. The visa application form (Form 22) 
is attached as Annex III. Visa application forms will not be translated as they are official forms from the Government of the Republic of Kenya. However, it should be noted that in some cases, 
Kenya's Diplomatic and Consular representations provide the visa application form in the 
languages spoken in the country of representation. 
3  PROCESSING ONLINE 3.1.  As of 1 July 2015, holders of passports fr om certain Members and Observers that require a 
visa to enter Kenya
1 may apply for their single -entry visa online at https://www.ecitizen.go.ke/  
3.2.  The online visa application process (eVisa) will take approximately 20 - 30 minutes, including 
the submission of all necessary information. To fac ilitate the process, delegates should gather their 
payment details as well as, in digital format, a sca n or photograph of the bio data page of their 
passport and a passport-style photo not exceeding 500 pixels by 500 pixels. 
3.3.  To use the eVisa service, delegates must regi ster and create an eCitizen profile. The profile 
requires an email address, creating a password and uploading a passport-style photo to the 
website. To submit the application, applicants must possess a travel document that will be valid for at least six months from the date of entry, a return ticket and at least one blank page in their passport. 
3.4.  Applicants with diplomatic or service passports should select "Apply for a Courtesy/Diplomatic 
Visa" when prompted to choose the correct form. Other applicants should choose "Apply for a Single Entry Visa." 
3.5.  The online application form must be fully completed. Applicants must also upload a scanned 
copy of the bio data page of thei r passport, travel itinerary (return ticket), a letter of invitation and 
a passport-style photo. The photo must meet certain requirements (found on the website) for the 
visa application to be properly processed. A US$ 1 service fee is charged in addition to the normal 
US$ 50 visa application fee, which can be paid by credit card. Holders of diplomatic and service passports who require a visa may also submit visa applications online under a similar process, but without charge. 
3.6.  Applicants will be notified that the visa has been approved via email. Then, the visa can be 
downloaded and printed from the eCitizen account. On arrival in Kenya, the eVisa printout 
must be presented with a passport that will be valid for at least six months following the date of 
entry and the letter of invitation. 
4  PROCESSING VIA DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR REPRESENTATIONS 4.1.  Those participants who require a visa may apply at Kenya's Diplomatic and Consular 
representations abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of 
Kenya has advised its Diplomatic and Consular representations to facilitate the visa application process. Accordingly, visas will also be issued from the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya in Geneva. 
4.2.  Visa applications processed at Diplomatic and Consular representation abroad must be 
accompanied by: (1) proof of a return flight; (2) a letter of invitation; (3) and two passport-style photographs.  
                                               
1 Currently, visa applications canno t be processed online for holder s of passports from Afghanistan; 
Armenia; Azerbaijan; Cameroon; Iraq; Lebanese Republic; Libya; Mali; Senegal; Syrian Arab Republic; or 
Tajikistan. Similarly, holders of passports from these count ries are generally not eligible for visas on arrival. 
Instead, nationals from these countries should follow the steps for processing visa application via diplomatic 
and consular representation. WT/MIN(15)/INF/3/Rev.1 
 
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  4.3.  The list of Embassies, Consulates General an d Consulates of the Republic of Kenya and their 
addresses are available at: http://www.mfa.go.ke  and http://www.immigration.go.ke/  or by email 
to overseasection@gmail.com . It is recommended that participants apply for their visas directly at 
the Kenyan Embassy, Consulate General or Consulate accredited to their countries. If there is no 
Kenyan Embassy representation in the country of residence, participants will need to apply for a 
visa at Kenyan representation near their country of residence.  
4.4.  As a reminder, applicants from Afghanista n, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Iraq, Lebanese 
Republic, Libya, Mali, Senegal, Syri an Arab Republic and Tajikistan must  apply for a visa at the 
Kenyan Embassies or Consular Missions accredited in the participant’s respective country or in a nearby country. The application is then referred to the Director of Immigration Services. If no Kenyan representation exists in the participants' country or in a nearby country, participants are 
required to contact the MC10 focal point on visas at overseasection@gmail.com  for further 
assistance. 
5  VISAS ON ARRIVAL 
5.1.  A visa on arrival (VoA) is issued at the time of entry into Kenya at the Jomo Kenyatta 
International Airport in Nairobi. Nationals from most Members and Observers are eligible for a VoA not exceeding 3 months. Except for holders of diplomatic or service passports, the visa on arrival 
requires a US$50 visa application fee. For this reason, applicants must have the appropriate 
amount of US$ notes with them on arrival at the airport. 
5.2.  In order to obtain a VoA, an applicant must  present: (1) a passport that will be valid for at 
least six months following the date of entry; (2) a completed application form; (3) a return ticket; 
and (4) a letter of invitation. 
5.3.  In all cases, providing the Director of Immigration Services (contact information below) with 
the names, passport numbers, and nationality detail s of delegates attending MC10 as part of the 
delegation will facilitate the VoA process. 
5.4.  Kindly note that while nationals of Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Iraq, 
Lebanese Republic, Libya, Mali, Senegal, Syrian  Arab Republic and Tajikistan are generally not 
eligible for visas on arrival, Immigration Services may facilitate VoA requests provided that the 
Director of Immigration Services has advance notice of the delegates who will be attending MC10 and their passport details, regardless of the type  of passport. Delegations from these countries 
should send the lists of delegates, passport numbe rs and nationality details to the Director of 
Immigration Services through the Protocol Office of the Ministry of Foreign affairs at:  
 Immigration Protocol Office 
 C/O Chief of Protocol 
 Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade 
 Headquarters  Third Floor, Room 321 
 Attn: Stella Munya  
 Tel:   +254 20 3318888  Email:  protocol@mfa.go.ke   
5.5.  A VoA is valid for up to three months. It may not be converted into other types of visas. 
However, it may be extended for a single period not exceeding three months. The extension can 
be obtained at the nearest Immigration office in Kenya. 
5.6.  Although the Kenyan authorities will facilitate the VoA process at Jomo Kenyatta International 
Airport, it is strongly recommend that participants obtain a valid visa before departure. 
6  DEADLINE FOR VISA APPLICATIONS 6.1.  It is recommended that visa applications in hardcopy be submitted to the competent Kenyan 
authorities at least one month before the date of departure. In case a special authorization is 
required, the visa application should be submitted earlier. WT/MIN(15)/INF/3/Rev.1 
 
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  6.2.  Online visa applications submitted on th e eCitizen website are processed more quickly. 
However, visa applications will be processed only when all required documents are completed or uploaded. 
7  ENQUIRIES ON VISA MATTERS 
7.1.  For more information regarding visa application procedures and any changes to entry 
requirements, please visit the website of the Kenyan Immigration Department at the http://www.immigration.go.ke  or by email dis@immigration.go.ke . 
7.2.  For further enquiries about any visa-related matters, please contact: 
 The Director of Immigration Services 
 Department of Immigration Services  Nyayo House, 9
th Floor, Southern Wing 
 P. O. Box 30191-00100 
 Fax No.:  +254 20 2220731  Tel:   +254 20 2222022 Ext.22215 
   +254 20 2222087 
   +254 20 2222057    +254 20 2222049 
 Email:  overseasection@gmail.com  
7.3.  The Permanent Mission of Kenya is available to respond to or facilitate enquiries by email at 
mission.kenya@ties.itu.int .  WT/MIN(15)/INF/3/Rev.1 
 
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  ANNEX I 
VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR WTO MEMBERS 
  Diplomatic 
Passport Visa 
Requirement Service Passport 
Visa Requirement Regular Passport 
Visa Requirement 
No. WTO Members  Yes No Yes No Yes No 
1 Albania** x  x  x  
2 Angola** x  x  x  
3 Antigua and Barbuda** x  x  x  
4 Argentina** x  x  x  
5 Armenia*** x  x  x  
6 Australia** x  x  x  
7 Austria** x  x  x  
8 Bahrain, Kingdom of** x  x  x  
9 Bangladesh** x  x  x  
10 Barbados*  x  x  x 
11 Belgium** x  x  x  
12 Belize*  x  x  x 
13 Benin** x  x  x  
14 Bolivia, Plurinational State of** x  x  x  
15 Botswana*  x  x  x 
16 Brazil**  x  x x  
17 Brunei Darussalam*  x  x  x 
18 Bulgaria** x  x  x  
19 Burkina Faso** x  x  x  
20 Burundi*  x  x  x 
21 Cabo Verde** x  x  x  
22 Cambodia** x  x  x  
23 Cameroon*** x  x  x  
24 Canada** x  x  x  
25 Central African Republic** x  x  x  
26 Chad** x  x  x  
27 Chile** x  x  x  
28 China, People's Republic of**  x  x x  
29 Colombia** x  x  x  
30 Congo** x  x  x  
31 Costa Rica** x  x  x  
32 Côte d’lvoire** x  x  x  
33 Croatia** x  x  x  
34 Cuba** x  x  x  
35 Cyprus*  x  x  x 
36 Czech Republic** x  x  x  
37 Democratic Republic of the 
Congo** x  x  x  
38 Denmark** x  x  x  
39 Djibouti** x  x  x  
40 Dominica*  x  x  x 
41 Dominican Republic** x  x  x  
42 Ecuador** x  x  x  
43 Egypt** x  x  x  
44 El Salvador**  x  x  x 
45 Estonia** x  x  x  
46 European Union**  x  x x  
47 Fiji*  x  x  x 
48 Finland** x  x  x  
49 France** x  x  x  
50 Gabon** x  x  x  
51 The Gambia*  x  x  x 
52 Georgia** x  x  x  
53 Germany** x  x  x  
54 Ghana*  x  x  x 
55 Greece** x  x  x  WT/MIN(15)/INF/3/Rev.1 
 
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    Diplomatic 
Passport Visa 
Requirement Service Passport 
Visa Requirement Regular Passport 
Visa Requirement 
No. WTO Members  Yes No Yes No Yes No 
56 Grenada*  x  x  x 
57 Guatemala** x  x  x  
58 Guinea** x  x  x  
59 Guinea-Bissau** x  x  x  
60 Guyana*  x  x  x 
61 Haiti** x  x  x  
62 Honduras** x  x  x  
63 Hong Kong, China** x  x  x  
64 Hungary** x  x  x  
65 Iceland** x  x  x  
66 India** x  x  x  
67 Indonesia** x  x  x  
68 Ireland** x  x  x  
69 Israel** x  x  x  
70 Italy** x  x  x  
71 Jamaica*  x  x  x 
72 Japan** x  x  x  
73 Jordan** x  x  x  
74 Korea, Republic of** x  x  x  
75 Kuwait, the State of** x  x  x  
76 Kyrgyz Republic** x  x  x  
77 Lao People's Democratic 
Republic** x  x  x  
78 Latvia** x  x  x  
79 Lesotho*  x  x  x 
80 Liechtenstein** x  x  x  
81 Lithuania** x  x  x  
82 Luxembourg** x  x  x  
83 Macao, China** x  x  x  
84 Madagascar** x  x  x  
85 Malawi*  x  x  x 
86 Malaysia*  x  x  x 
87 Maldives**  x  x  x 
88 Mali*** x  x  x  
89 Malta** x  x  x  
90 Mauritania** x  x  x  
91 Mauritius*  x  x  x 
92 Mexico** x  x  x  
93 Moldova, Republic of** x  x  x  
94 Mongolia** x  x  x  
95 Montenegro** x  x  x  
96 Morocco** x  x  x  
97 Mozambique** x  x  x  
98 Myanmar** x  x  x  
99 Namibia*  x  x  x 
100 Nepal** x  x  x  
101 Netherlands** x  x  x  
102 New Zealand** x  x  x  
103 Nicaragua** x  x  x  
104 Niger** x  x  x  
105 Nigeria**  x x  x  
106 Norway** x  x  x  
107 Oman** x  x  x  
108 Pakistan** x  x  x  
109 Panama** x  x  x  
110 Papua New Guinea*  x  x  x 
111 Paraguay** x  x  x  
112 Peru** x  x  x  
113 Philippines** x  x  x  
114 Poland** x  x  x  
115 Portugal** x  x  x  
116 Qatar** x  x  x  WT/MIN(15)/INF/3/Rev.1 
 
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    Diplomatic 
Passport Visa 
Requirement Service Passport 
Visa Requirement Regular Passport 
Visa Requirement 
No. WTO Members  Yes No Yes No Yes No 
117 Romania** x  x  x  
118 Russian Federation** x  x  x  
119 Rwanda*  x  x  x 
120 Saint Kitts and Nevis*  x  x  x 
121 Saint Lucia*  x  x  X 
122 Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines*  x  x  x 
123 Samoa*  x  x  x 
124 Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of** x  x  x  
125 Senegal*** x  x  x  
126 Seychelles*  x  x  x 
127 Sierra Leone*  x  x  x 
128 Singapore*  x  x  x 
129 Slovak Republic** x  x  x  
130 Slovenia** x  x  x  
131 Solomon Islands*  x  x  x 
132 South Africa*  x  x  x 
133 Spain** x  x  x  
134 Sri Lanka** x  x  x  
135 Suriname** x  x  x  
136 Swaziland*  x  x  x 
137 Sweden** x  x  x  
138 Switzerland** x  x  x  
139 Chinese Taipei** x  x  x  
140 Tajikistan*** x  x  x  
141 Tanzania, United Republic of*  x  x  x 
142 Thailand** x  x  x  
143 The former Yugoslav Republic 
of Macedonia (FYROM)** x  x  x  
144 Togo** x  x  x  
145 Tonga*  x  x  x 
146 Trinidad and Tobago*  x  x  x 
147 Tunisia** x  x  x  
148 Turkey**  x  x x  
149 Uganda*  x  x  x 
150 Ukraine** x  x  x  
151 United Arab Emirates** x  x  x  
152 United Kingdom** x  x  x  
153 United States of America** x  x  x  
154 Uruguay** x  x  x  
155 Vanuatu*  x  x  x 
156 Venezuela, Boli varian Republic 
of** x  x  x  
157 Viet Nam** x  x  x  
158 Yemen** x  x  x  
159 Zambia*  x  x  x 
160 Zimbabwe*  x  x  x 
 
Remarks: 
 
*  : Participants from these countries have been granted a liberal visa regime by the Republic of Kenya. At present, a visa–free entry is  granted to approximately 40 WTO Members. 
 
**  : Participants from these countries are encour aged to submit visa applications, if necessary, 
in advance either online or through Kenya's Diplomatic and Consular Representation abroad. When this is not possible, participants from these countries may request a visa on arrival (VoA) at the 
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.  
 
***  : Participants from these countries are generally  required to obtain a "referred" visa through 
Kenya's Diplomatic and Consular representations. Kindly contact the MC10 Kenyan National 
Preparatory Committee at overseasection@gmail.com  with copy to wto-mc10@mfa.go.ke  to 
arrange the issuance of visas. WT/MIN(15)/INF/3/Rev.1 
 
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  ANNEX II 
VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR WTO OBSERVERS 
  Diplomatic Passport 
Visa Requirements 
 Service Passport 
Visa Requirements Regular Passport 
Visa Requirement  
No. WTO Observers Yes No Yes No Yes No 
1 Afghanistan*** x  x  x  
2 Algeria**  x x  x  
3 Andorra** x  x  x  
4 Azerbaijan*** x  x  x  
5 Bahamas*  x  x  x 
6 Belarus** x  x  x  
7 Bhutan** x  x  x  
8 Bosnia and Herzegovina** x  x  x  
9 Comoros** x  x  x  
10 Equatorial Guinea** x  x  x  
11 Ethiopia*  x  x  x 
12 Holy See (Vatican)** x  x  x  
13 Iran**  x  x x  
14 Iraq*** x  x  x  
15 Kazakhstan** x  x  x  
16 Lebanese Republic*** x  x  x  
17 Liberia, Republic of** x  x  x  
18 Libya*** x  x  x  
19 Sao Tomé and Principe** x  x  x  
20 Serbia** x  x  x  
21 Sudan** x  x  x  
22 Syrian Arab Republic*** x  x  x  
23 Uzbekistan** x  x  x  
 
Remarks: 
 
* : Participants from these countries have been granted a liberal visa regime by the Republic of Kenya. At present, a visa–free entry is granted to 2 WTO Observers. 
 
** : Participants from these countries are encouraged to submit visa applications, if necessary, in advance either online or through Kenya's Diplomatic and Consular representations abroad. When this is not possible, participants from these countries may request a visa on arrival (VoA) at 
the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.  
 *** : Participants from these countries are generally  required to obtain a "referred" visa through 
Kenya's Diplomatic and Consular representations. Kindly contact the MC10 Kenyan National 
Preparatory Committee at overseasection@gmail.com  with copy to wto-mc10@mfa.go.ke  to 
arrange the issuance of visas. 
 WT/MIN(15)/INF/3/Rev.1 
 
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  ANNEX III 
KENYA VISA APPLICATION FORM 
 WT/MIN(15)/INF/3/Rev.1 
 
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