Schengen Visa From Kenya 2026: Fees, Documents and Steps

Updated 2 November 2026

A Schengen visa from Kenya costs €90 for an adult and €45 for a child aged 6 to 12, takes about 15 days to process, and lets you stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the 29 Schengen countries. Kenyan passport holders must apply in person at the embassy, or the visa centre it uses, of the country where you will spend the most time, between six months and 15 days before you travel. This guide sets out the fees, the documents consulates ask for, the steps and the mistakes that lead to refusals.

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Updated November 2026. Rules are from the European Commission’s Migration and Home Affairs guidance (last revised 2 December 2025) and the EU Visa Code. Always confirm details with the embassy of your main destination before you book.

Schengen visa from Kenya: the key facts

The euro fee is paid in Kenya shillings at the rate the embassy or visa centre sets on the day, so the KSh amount moves with the exchange rate.

Which embassy do you apply to?

You do not choose the cheapest or fastest embassy. EU rules say:

• One country: apply to that country’s consulate.
• Several countries: apply to the country where you will spend the longest time.
• Several countries for equal lengths of time: apply to the country you will enter first.

As a rule you apply in the country where you legally live, so Kenyan residents apply in Nairobi. Several Schengen states have embassies in Nairobi, and many collect applications and fingerprints through an outsourced visa application centre. A few countries are represented by another member state’s embassy. Check the official visa page of your destination country (the Commission’s page links to each one) to see where Kenyan residents must lodge.

Documents you need for a Schengen visa from Kenya

The EU’s common list is short, but consulates in Nairobi usually add local requirements. Expect to provide:

1. A valid Kenyan passport issued in the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area, with blank pages. If yours is close to expiry, renew first; see how to apply for a Kenyan passport online and how to check your passport application status.
2. A completed and signed visa application form.
3. A recent photo meeting ICAO standards (plain light background, face clearly visible).
4. Travel medical insurance covering emergency medical care, hospital treatment and repatriation, including in case of death. The Visa Code sets the minimum cover at €30,000, valid in all Schengen states for your whole stay.
5. Proof of the purpose of your trip: a hotel booking and itinerary for tourism, an invitation letter for a family visit, or a letter from the host company for a business trip or conference.
6. Proof you can pay for the trip: usually recent bank statements (most consulates ask for three to six months), payslips, and a sponsor’s letter and statements if someone else is paying. Our proof of funds guide explains what a strong statement looks like.
7. Proof you will come back: an employer’s letter confirming your job and approved leave, a business registration and KRA documents if self-employed, a university letter if you are a student, or title deeds and family ties.
8. A return flight reservation (many consulates advise a reservation, not a paid ticket, until the visa is issued).

Your fingerprints are taken when you lodge the application. If you gave them for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months, you may not need to give them again.

How to apply: step by step

1. Fix your main destination using the rules above.
2. Open that country’s official visa page and the page of the visa centre it uses in Nairobi. Note its document checklist, because it can differ from other countries.
3. Book an appointment. In peak months (June to August and December) appointments can fill weeks ahead, so book as soon as you are inside the six-month window.
4. Fill in the form, gather documents and pay the €90 visa fee plus the service fee.
5. Attend in person to submit documents and give fingerprints.
6. Track and collect your passport. Allow 15 days, or up to 45 if the consulate asks for more checks.

How much does a Schengen trip from Kenya cost in fees?

For a family of two adults and two children aged 8 and 4, the EU visa fees alone are €90 + €90 + €45 + €0 = €225, before visa centre service fees, insurance and document costs. Budget separately for travel insurance for each person and for any translation or certification your consulate asks for.

New at the border: the Entry/Exit System

The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) now registers non-EU visitors at the Schengen external border, recording your face image, fingerprints and the dates you enter and leave. It replaces passport stamping and calculates your 90/180-day allowance automatically. Expect a short registration at the border on your first trip. Overstaying is recorded and can count against you in future applications.

Why Schengen visas from Kenya get refused

• Not enough evidence that you will return to Kenya (weak job, business or family ties).
• Bank statements with sudden large deposits just before applying, or balances that don’t match the trip cost.
• Applying to the wrong consulate for your itinerary.
• Insurance below €30,000 or not covering the full trip.
• Inconsistent bookings, dates or purpose across documents.

If you are refused, the letter must tell you why and how to appeal. Fix the reason before reapplying rather than sending the same file again.

Planning to work abroad rather than visit? A visit visa does not allow work. See our UK student visa guide for Kenyans and Canada student visa guide for longer-stay routes.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a Schengen visa from Kenya in 2026?

The visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12; children under 6 pay no visa fee. A visa centre service fee is added if you apply through one.

How long does a Schengen visa take in Kenya?

The normal processing time is 15 days from when the consulate receives your application. It can be extended to 45 days if more documents or checks are needed.

How early can I apply for a Schengen visa from Kenya?

No earlier than six months before your trip and at least 15 days before you travel.

Can I visit other Schengen countries on one visa?

Yes. A uniform Schengen visa is valid for all Schengen countries unless it is marked as limited territorial validity, but you must apply to the country of your main destination.

Do I need travel insurance for a Schengen visa?

Yes. You need medical insurance covering emergency care, hospitalisation and repatriation, with minimum cover of €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for your whole stay.

Sources: European Commission, Applying for a Schengen visa (2 December 2025); EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009; EU Entry/Exit System. Checked 2 November 2026.