Kenyans applying for visas at various embassies in Nairobi are digging deeper in their pockets to make up for the weakening shilling.
The weakening shilling has pushed upwards the local equivalent of the fees required at the embassies. At the US embassy in Nairobi, the visa application fees have now hit around Sh. 31,000.
For instance, Kenia Esther a traveling visa consultant reported paying up to Sh. 31,450.
“Some not so good news, especially those applying for the US visa – the VISA FEE is now 31,450! The Kenya shillings looks like it is dying a slow death. Prepare your pockets accordingly. Poleni!” she said.
At the current Central Bank of Kenya indicative rates of 161 against the US dollar, the rates stand at Sh. 29,785.
However, the official CBK rates are usually based on interbank rates which are similar to wholesale prices. They are different from the retail rates a buyer gets from the commercial banks and forex bureaus.
I paid agent Sh. 406,000 for air ticket to Canada; got returned to Nairobi in Ethiopia
In mid-2023, the US embassy announced that it would be increasing its visa fees.
“Effective June 17, 2023, visa fees will increase worldwide. The fee for business or tourism (B1/B2) visas, and other non-petition based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas (F/J/M) will increase from $160 to $185,” the Embassy announced.
“The fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190 to $205. The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) will increase from $205 to $315. These NIV fee increases reflects the rising cost of input associated with the services provided by consular sections around the world.”
At the time of the announcement in May 2023, $185 was equivalent to Sh. 25,206. This was an increment from $160 which was equivalent to Sh. 22,481.
