🇰🇪 → 🇦🇺

Australia Visa for Kenyans

⚠ Visa Required — You must apply before travel
20% Rejection Rate
3/5 Difficulty
20–50d Processing

Quick Facts

Requirement Visa Required
Visa Fee
Processing Time 20–50 working days
Appointment Wait ~ weeks
Stay Duration Up to days
E-Visa Available online

Australia is a top aspirational destination for Kenyan travellers — whether visiting family in Sydney or Melbourne, exploring the Great Barrier Reef, or attending events. The Visitor Visa (subclass 600) costs AUD 200 and is applied for entirely online. The key is convincing Australia's immigration system that you are a Genuine Temporary Entrant — a real tourist who will go home.

Key Warnings

  • The AUD 200 visa fee is completely non-refundable even if your application is refused. Prepare all documents thoroughly before paying.
  • Do NOT select eVisitor (subclass 651) when applying — it is not available to Kenyan passport holders and your application will be rejected. Select Visitor Visa subclass 600.
  • Do not book non-refundable flights or tours before your visa is granted. Allow at least 6–8 weeks processing time.
  • Kenya is classified as a high TB-risk country by Australia. If you apply for a stay of 6 months or more, a medical examination (chest X-ray + blood test) is likely mandatory.

Insider Tips

  • The GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) statement is the most important part of your application — more than your bank balance. Be specific: name your employer, your leave dates, your family responsibilities, and what you plan to see in Australia. Generic statements are the #1 refusal trigger.
  • If you have previous compliant visits to the UK, UAE, USA, or Schengen countries, mention them prominently in your GTE statement. Australia's case officers view prior visa compliance as strong evidence you'll return home.
  • Australia grants 3-month stays to most first-time visitors from Kenya. If you need longer, explain specifically why in your GTE statement — but be aware longer requested stays receive more scrutiny.
  • There is no Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 or 462) available for Kenyan passport holders. The subclass 600 is your main option for tourism and short visits.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Create an ImmiAccount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

    Go to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and create a free ImmiAccount. Select 'Visitor Visa (subclass 600)' → 'Tourist stream' → 'Applying outside Australia'. Do NOT select eVisitor (subclass 651) — that is not available to Kenyan passport holders.

  2. Write your Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement

    Before filling in the form, draft a clear GTE statement. Explain specifically: what you want to see or do in Australia, how long you plan to stay, and why you are returning to Kenya (your job, business, family, property). Vague or generic statements are the most common cause of refusal.

  3. Complete and upload the application

    Fill in all sections of the ImmiAccount form — personal details, full travel history, health and character declarations. Upload colour scans of your passport (all pages), GTE statement, bank statements, employment letter, payslips, and travel itinerary.

  4. Pay AUD 200 visa fee online

    Pay the non-refundable AUD 200 (~KES 18,400) by credit or debit card through ImmiAccount. Approval is not guaranteed — do not buy non-refundable travel before your visa is granted.

  5. Attend biometrics at TLScontact Nairobi (if requested)

    If Home Affairs requests biometrics, you will receive an email via ImmiAccount. Book an appointment at TLScontact, 4th Floor, 9 West Building, Ring Road Parklands, Westlands, Nairobi. Bring your passport and the biometrics request reference. The 28-day processing clock restarts after biometrics are received.

  6. Attend health examination (if requested)

    If a medical exam is required (common for stays over 3 months), you will receive an eMedical referral through ImmiAccount. Attend IOM Nairobi or another approved panel physician. Exam typically includes chest X-ray and TB blood test.

  7. Receive visa decision by email

    You will receive an email with your grant letter or refusal reason. The visa is issued electronically — it is linked to your passport number in Australia's system. There is no sticker. Print your grant letter and carry it when travelling.

Required Documents

  • Valid Kenyan passport Must be valid for the full duration of your intended stay in Australia. Include scanned colour copies of all pages — bio-data page, all stamps, all existing visas.
  • Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement A written personal statement explaining why you want to visit Australia, how long you plan to stay, and — critically — why you will return to Kenya. This is the most important document for your application. Be specific: mention your job, family, property, business, or other obligations in Kenya.
  • Bank statements (3–6 months) Must demonstrate consistent income and sufficient funds to cover your stay — allow at least AUD 5,000–7,000 for a typical 2-week visit. Avoid recent large unexplained deposits. Consistent savings over time are more persuasive than a single top-up.
  • Employment letter on company letterhead Confirms your job title, salary, length of service, approved leave dates, and that your position is held for you on return. This is core evidence of ties to Kenya.
  • 3 months payslips Must match the salary stated in your employment letter.
  • Travel itinerary Planned activities, cities to visit, accommodation bookings. Does not need to be fully non-refundable at application stage — tentative hotel bookings are acceptable.

Recommended (Optional)

  • Property ownership or tenancy documents in Kenya Title deed, lease agreement, or land certificate — demonstrates you have a home to return to.
  • Evidence of family ties in Kenya Marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, school enrolment records.
  • Travel insurance with medical cover Not required for the visa but essential for travel — Australian healthcare is world-class but extremely expensive for uninsured visitors.
  • Previous visa history (UK, US, Schengen, UAE) Prior compliant visits to comparable destinations are a strong positive signal. Include stamps from old passports.
  • Police Clearance Certificate Sometimes requested by Home Affairs. Best to include proactively with your application.
  • Invitation letter from Australian host If visiting family or friends — include their passport copy or Australian visa/citizenship document and a letter confirming accommodation.

Latest Updates

2025-07-01

Australian Visitor Visa (subclass 600) fee increased from AUD 195 to AUD 200 on 1 July 2025 due to annual CPI indexation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What visa do Kenyans need for Australia?
Kenyan passport holders need the Australian Visitor Visa (subclass 600), applied for online via ImmiAccount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. The fee is AUD 200 (~KES 18,400). The free eVisitor (subclass 651) is NOT available to Kenyan passport holders — do not select it when applying.
What is the GTE requirement for the Australian visa?
GTE stands for Genuine Temporary Entrant. Australia requires you to demonstrate, in a written statement, that you genuinely intend to visit temporarily and will return to Kenya. You need to explain your purpose of visit, your ties to Kenya (job, family, property), and why you'll go home. This statement is the most important part of your application — vague or generic statements are the most common cause of refusal.
How long does the Australian visa take for Kenyans?
75% of applications are processed within 20 working days (~4 weeks). 90% within 33 working days (~6.5 weeks). Allow 6–8 weeks total to account for possible biometrics or health exam requests. Do not book non-refundable flights or accommodation until your visa is granted.
How long can Kenyans stay in Australia on a tourist visa?
The standard grant for first-time visitors is 3 months. The case officer may grant up to 6 or 12 months at their discretion. Your actual permitted stay is specified in your visa grant letter — check it carefully before booking travel.
Do Kenyans need a yellow fever certificate to enter Australia?
No — Australia does not require a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from Kenya. However, if you transit through a country that requires proof of yellow fever vaccination, you may need a certificate for the transit. Vaccination is strongly recommended for personal health protection.

Data Sources & Verification

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Where to Apply

TLScontact Australian Biometrics Collection Centre

Nairobi

4th Floor, 9 West Building, Ring Road Parklands, Westlands, Nairobi

Mon–Fri (check booking portal for current hours)

Attend ONLY if the Department of Home Affairs specifically requests biometrics after you lodge your online application. You will receive an email via ImmiAccount. Do not attend without a request — the application is otherwise fully online.

Book Appointment →

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