Application for refugee status
Department of Refugee Services, Refugees Act 2021
People seeking protection in Kenya register with the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) and receive an asylum seeker pass while their claim is decided through refugee status determination. The Commissioner for Refugee Affairs issues a recognition or rejection letter; rejected applicants can appeal to the Refugee Status Appeals Committee and then the High Court. Some groups may be declared prima facie refugees.
1 entry rule for Kenya based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country must present a valid yellow fever certificate. Without one: may not be allowed into the country (Kenya Airports Authority).
Ministry of Health Kenya: Incoming Travellers Kenya Airports Authority: Port Health WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Kenya
Money
3
Currency
Kenyan Shilling
KES
Kenyan Shilling
Cost of living
35
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–35%
Income tax (national)
VAT 16%
35% applies to income above KES 800,000 per month (KES 9.6m per year).
Living
1
Happiness
#108 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
People in Kenya who fear persecution, or who fled external aggression, occupation, foreign domination or events seriously disturbing public order.
Eligibility
Refugee Convention grounds
A well-founded fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion (Refugees Act 2021 s. 3(1)(a)-(b)).
OAU Convention grounds
People compelled to leave because of external aggression, occupation, foreign domination or events seriously disturbing public order in part or all of their country (s. 3(1)(c)).
Prima facie refugees
The Cabinet Secretary may declare a class of people to be prima facie refugees by Gazette notice (s. 3(1)(d), 3(2)).
Sign in to read the full guide (free)
The full steps, your rights while you wait, and free legal help contacts are free for anyone with an e-Passage account. You can turn on sensitive mode for discreet emails.
- 4 more requirements
- 6 documents
- 1 fee
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
