This article covers all United States of America visa requirements for Kenyans. It is a dream of most Kenyans to go to the USA in search of greener pastures.
Whether you are planning to relocate temporarily or permanently, there are some US visa requirements you have to meet.
Research by the Kenya Bureau of Statistics shows that most Kenyans go to the USA for either jobs or higher education scholarship. The biggest driving factor to move to the USA is the availability of several well-paying casual jobs.
These jobs are easy to finds not only for graduates but also for students. The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under the USA immigration law. As a Visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
There are two categories of USA visas, immigrant and non-immigrant visas. Immigrant visas are issued to people from other countries who intend to live permanently in the USA. Non-immigrant visas are issued for people who wish to visit the United States temporarily.
USA Visa Requirements for Kenyans
Below are some USA visa requirements for Kenyans that you have to meet to move to the USA.
1. Valid Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the United States. Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.
2. Form DS-160
you are required to submit a dully-filled and signed Non- immigrant Visa Application Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in this Photograph Requirements.
3. Your Passport Photo
It is compulsory to hand in a passport photo while completing the online Form DS-160.
4. The purpose of your trip
For your visa to go through, you must give a valid reason and purpose of your trip. Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country.
5. Financial Records
You are required to submit your financial records and statements. This will prove your ability to pay all costs of the trip and during your stay in the US. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you must provide details of your sponsor.
6. Intent to Leave US After Trip
Your intent to depart the United States after your trip must be stated clearly. You must have return tickets to show you intend on leaving the United States according to the dates mentioned and validate the duration of stay.
7. Certificate of Good Conduct
For you to be allowed to fly to the US, you must not have any prior criminal cases or any ongoing cases.
8. Accountability Dates for Previous Visits
If you have previously travelled to the United States before, you are required to give dates of your last five visits or trips to the United States. You may also be asked for your international travel history for the past five years.
9. A resume is One of the USA Visa Requirements
You are required to provide information about your current and previous education and work history.
10.  Application fee payment receipt
You must provide a payment receipt for your visa I before your interview.
How to Apply for USA Visa
All applicants are required to book an interview appointment on the U.S. Visa Service website.
- Start your application process by completing the visa application form DS-160.
- Create an account at the website and fill out all your travel information.
- Print out a deposit slip found in your account. You will use the slip to pay the visa application fee via M-Pesa or Postbank.
- Once you have paid the application fee, enter the receipt number in your account on the Visa Service website.
- Then, you will be taken to the calendar, where you can select your preferred appointment date.
Interview appointments are given on a first-come, first-served basis. The Embassy conducts interviews from Monday through Thursday mornings. Applicants without all the required documentation will not be interviewed.
USA Visa Requirements for Non-immigrants
There are different types of Non-immigration USA visas:
- Work Visa: Kenyans who have been offered employment from a US employer to live and work in the United States.
- Student Visa: A student visa (F1 Visa) is offered to international students who want to study full-time at any accredited academic institution in the United States.
- Family Visa: The family visa is granted to US Citizens who want to sponsor their families – spouses, children, wives, siblings or parents to join them in the US.
- Tourist or Business Visa: This type of visa (known as B1 and B2 visa) is granted to those who need a short travel entry permit for business (B2 visa), tourism or visitation (B1 visa).
USA Visa Fees for Kenyan Citizens
You will be required to pay a non-refundable fee of  $160.00 for the non-immigrant visa processing. This is payable via M-Pesa using the Paybill number 100202. You will show the M-Pesa transaction message as proof of payment at the embassy.
After the visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee and make arrangements for the return of the passport and visa to you.
Visa Processing
US Visa application processing is resolved within 2 – 3 calendar days after your interview. Your visa will be ready for pick-up or will be delivered by courier. For cases where administrative processing is required, it may take about 60 days for your application processing to be resolved.
The chart below contains many different purposes of temporary travel and the related nonimmigrant visa categories available on this website. Select a visa category below to learn more:
| Purpose of Travel | Visa Category | Required: Before applying for visa* |
| Athlete, amateur or professional (competing for prize money only) | B-1 | (NA) |
| Au pair (exchange visitor) | J | SEVIS |
| Australian professional speciality | E-3 | DOL |
| Border Crossing Card: Mexico | BCC | (NA) |
| Business visitor | B-1 | (NA) |
| CNMI-only transitional worker | CW-1 | (USCIS) |
| Crewmember | D | (NA) |
| Diplomat or foreign government official | A | (NA) |
| Domestic employee or nanny – must be accompanying a foreign national employer | B-1 | (NA) |
| An employee of a designated international organization or NATO | Â Â G1-G5, NATO | (NA) |
| Exchange visitor | J | SEVIS |
| Foreign military personnel stationed in the United States | A-2 NATO1-6 |
(NA) |
| Foreign national with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics | O | USCIS |
| Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional: Chile, Singapore |
H-1B1 – Chile H-1B1 – Singapore |
DOL |
| International cultural exchange visitor | Q | USCIS |
| Intra-company transferee | L | USCIS |
| Medical treatment, visitor for | B-2 | (NA) |
| Media, journalist | I | (NA) |
| NAFTA professional worker: Mexico, Canada | TN/TD | (NA) |
| Performing athlete, artist, entertainer | P | USCIS |
| Physician | J, H-1B | SEVIS |
| Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor) | J | SEVIS |
| Religious worker | R | USCIS |
| Speciality occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge | H-1B | DOL then USCIS |
| Student: academic, vocational | F, M | SEVIS |
| Temporary agricultural worker | H-2A | DOL then USCIS |
| A temporary worker performing other services or labour of a temporary or seasonal nature. | H-2B | DOL then USCIS |
| Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitor | B-2 | (NA) |
| Training in a program not primarily for employment | H-3 | USCIS |
| Treaty trader/treaty investor | E | (NA) |
| Transiting the United States | C | (NA) |
| Victim of Criminal Activity | U | USCIS |
| Victim of Human Trafficking | T | USCIS |
| Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Children of a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) | V | (NA) |
| Renewals in the U.S. – A, G, and NATO Visas | (NA) |
It is also important for you to understand the meaning of some abbreviations before making an application to avoid making mistakes.
- DOL -The U.S. employer must obtain a foreign labour certification from the U.S. Department of Labor, before filing a petition with USCIS.
- USCIS – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval of a petition or application (The required petition or application depends on the visa category you plan to apply for.)
- SEVISÂ – Program approval entered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
- NA – Not Applicable – Additional approval by another U.S. government agency is not required before applying for a visa
The chart below contains different purposes for immigrating to the United States and the related immigrant visa categories for which information is available on this website. Select a visa category below to learn more:
| Immediate Relative & Family-Sponsored | <valign=”bottom”>Visa Category</valign=”bottom”> |
| Spouse of a U.S. Citizen | IR1, CR1 |
| Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant petition | K-3Â * |
| Fiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in the U.S. | K-1 * |
| Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. Citizens | IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4 |
| Certain Family Members of U.S. Citizens | IR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, F4 |
| Certain Family Members of Lawful Permanent Residents | F2A, F2B |
| Employer-Sponsored – Employment | |
Employment-Based Immigrants, including  (preference group):
|
|
| Religious Workers | SD, SR |
| Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters | SI |
| Iraqis Who Worked for/on behalf of the U.S. Government | SQ |
| Afghans Who Worked for/on behalf of the U.S. Government | SQ |
| Other Immigrants | |
| Diversity Immigrant Visa | DV |
| Returning Resident | SB |
You need to visit the USA Embassy in Kenya or visit their website for detailed visa information.
United State Embassy Office Address
United Nations Avenue Nairobi
P. O. Box 606 Village Market
00621 Nairobi, Kenya
US embassy changes visa rule for Kenyans seeking to travel to USA
If you planning to move to the US; whether permanently or temporarily, it is good to start planning early. One of the best steps in planning is to understand all USA visa requirements. Missing just one requirement can lead to postponement of your travel. At Bizna Kenya, we post all updates on moving to USA and visa requirements.
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