Updated 2 November 2026
A Canada visitor visa from Kenya costs CAD 100 in processing fees plus CAD 85 for biometrics, a total of CAD 185 for one person applying for the first time. Kenyans must apply online through the IRCC Portal, pay by card, then give fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre once IRCC sends a biometrics instruction letter. A family of five or more pays a capped CAD 500 processing fee and up to CAD 170 in biometrics. Below are the documents, steps, processing times and the mistakes that cause refusals.
Updated November 2026. Fees and requirements are from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on canada.ca, checked 2 November 2026. Fees are in Canadian dollars; your card is charged in KSh at your bank’s rate.
In this guide
Canada visitor visa from Kenya: fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount (CAD) | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa processing fee, individual | $100 | Every applicant |
| Visitor visa processing fee, family of 5 or more applying together | $500 | Families applying together |
| Biometrics fee, individual | $85 | Applicants who must give biometrics |
| Biometrics fee, family applying together | Up to $170 | Eligible families |
Example: two adults and two children applying together for the first time pay 4 × $100 = $400 in processing fees plus $170 in family biometrics, a total of CAD 570. A family of five pays $500 + $170 = CAD 670. The visa application centre may charge its own service fees on top for optional services such as courier return.
IRCC accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB and UnionPay credit cards, prepaid cards and Visa Debit and Debit MasterCard. The card does not need to be in your name. If you use a prepaid card, keep it for 18 months in case of a refund.
Documents you need
When you apply online, the IRCC Portal produces a personal checklist. Kenyan applicants should expect to upload:
- A valid passport, ideally valid for at least six months from your travel date: a colour copy of the bio page and every page with stamps, visas or markings. Renew first if yours is near expiry; see how to apply for a Kenyan passport online.
- Bank statements covering at least six months, showing the bank’s name and contact, your name and address, and balances. Our proof of funds guide explains what officers look for.
- An employer letter on letterhead, dated within three months of applying, giving your start date, job, current salary and your manager’s contacts, signed by the manager or HR.
- Travel history: copies of previous visas, entry and exit stamps used in the last 10 years.
- An itinerary: flight reservation, accommodation or event registration.
- An invitation letter if a person or business in Canada is inviting you, with proof of your relationship for family visits.
- Family Information form (IMM 5645) if your checklist asks for it, plus IMM 5476 if a representative applies for you.
How to apply for a Canada visitor visa from Kenya: step by step
- Pick your purpose: tourism, family visit or business. Business visitors must stay under six months, not enter the Canadian labour market, and earn their main income outside Canada.
- Create an IRCC Portal account. First-time adult applicants applying alone without a representative may use the new version of the portal.
- Upload documents and pay the processing and biometrics fees together. IRCC warns that first-time applicants who don’t pay the biometrics fee at submission face delays.
- Wait for the biometrics instruction letter, then book a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre as soon as possible.
- Track the application in your account. If approved, you send your passport for the visa to be placed in it.
You must apply online unless a disability stops you, or you travel on a refugee or stateless person’s document.
How long does it take?
IRCC publishes live processing times by country of application on canada.ca, and they change weekly, so check the official processing-times tool for “visitor visa, outside Canada, Kenya” on the day you apply. The time starts when IRCC receives a complete application and does not include the time it takes you to give biometrics. Apply well before your trip, especially for December and summer travel.
How long is the visa valid?
A visitor visa can be issued for up to 10 years, or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first, and the officer can set a shorter date. Biometrics are generally valid for 10 years, so a repeat applicant may not need to give them again. The visa lets you travel to Canada; the border officer decides how long you may stay, usually up to six months.
Ebola-related measures to know about
Canada has temporary immigration measures in place until 27 November 2026 for foreign nationals whose last country of residence was the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan. Kenya is not on that list, but if you have recently been in an affected country, read IRCC’s Ebola measures page before you travel. Kenyan health officials’ own advisories are covered in our Saudi Arabia Ebola travel ban report.
Common reasons Kenyan applications are refused
- The officer is not satisfied you will leave Canada at the end of your visit (weak job, family or property ties).
- Bank balances that don’t match the trip cost, or large unexplained deposits shortly before applying.
- A purpose that looks like work or study without the right permit.
- Missing documents from the portal checklist.
Studying instead? See our Canada student visa guide for Kenyans. Flying out of Nairobi? Compare JKIA lounge access prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Canada visitor visa from Kenya?
CAD 100 processing fee per person plus CAD 85 biometrics, so CAD 185 for a first-time individual applicant. Families of five or more pay CAD 500 in processing fees and up to CAD 170 in biometrics.
Where do Kenyans give biometrics for a Canada visa?
At a visa application centre, after IRCC sends you a biometrics instruction letter. Book the appointment as soon as the letter arrives.
Can I apply for a Canada visitor visa on paper in Kenya?
Generally no. You must apply online unless a disability prevents it or you are travelling on a refugee, stateless or non-citizen travel document.
How many months of bank statements does Canada want?
IRCC says at least six months of account details, including balances, help it understand your finances.
How long can I stay in Canada on a visitor visa?
Usually up to six months per entry; the border officer decides. The visa itself can be valid for up to 10 years.
Sources: IRCC, How to apply for a visitor visa; IRCC, Ebola disease: temporary measures. Checked 2 November 2026.
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