How To Get A US Visa In Kenya 2021 (A Step By Step Guide)

Do you find it difficult in getting a US visa in Kenya? If yes, then this informative article is for you. The process of acquiring a US Visa while in Kenya is no longer as difficult and stressful as it was in the past days. Presently, the United States government made several amendments to make it easier for Kenyans who want to visit or travel to the United States.

To do so, individuals must undertake defined procedures and processes which are simple and straightforward. This article will provide a detailed guide on how one can conveniently apply for a US Visa Kenya.

How To Get A US Visa In Kenya

There is one key travel document that one requires before they can apply for a United States visa. This includes an immigration passport that can be obtained at your nearest immigration office depending on your location. After getting your immigration passport, you can now start processing.

Types Of US Visa

Any Kenyan citizen that would like to travel to the United States of America must acquire a traveling card which is categorized into two main types that are Immigrant and non-immigrant.

Immigrant cards are given to persons from other nations that intend to live permanently in the United States while non-immigrant United States visas are meant for those individuals that wish to visit the United States temporarily. There are several forms of Non-immigrant permits depending on the purpose of visit as outlined below;

• Work Visa: It is issued to any Kenyan who has received employment from a United States proprietor. It allows the bearer to live and work in the country for a specified period.
• Student Visa: It is given to transnational scholars who wish to study full-time at any recognized academic institution based in the United States. It allows the student to live in the country during the period of their study.
• Family Visa: It is issued to United States Citizens that would like to act as guarantors for their families that include children, spouses, wives, or parents to join them in the United States.
• Tourist/Business Visa: It is also is granted to individuals who have to travel temporarily for business reasons (B1) or tourist visitation (B2).

Before applying for a US visa, one has to have the following requirements

• An immigration passport must be valid six months after the intended stay.
• A passport picture with specific size requirements (2’’by2’’).
• A form must be filled online as the United States Embassy Nairobi Kenya does not accept handwritten forms.
• Evidence of payment of the fee which can be paid at any Postbank or you can pay it via Mpesa. In case you pay with Mpesa, then you will provide the nine digits that come with the Mpesa message. Also, note that this fee is non-refundable. The fee is KES is 16,800/=.
• Evidence of your financial status like an original bank statement from an accredited bank recognized by the Central Bank.
• Any other documentation that the United States embassy might request that will back up your traveling reasons.

In case of a US Visa for students, then the following additional documents must accompany your form.

• SEVIS I-901 fee, which must be paid to the Department of Homeland Security for the individual program.
• Financial proof to show you can pay for your studies in the United States
• You must apply 4 months before your institution resumption date.
• A valid 1-20 or DS-2019 indicating that the scholar has paid the unsubsidized education cost.

After checking that you have all the requirements needed for a request, you begin processing your application by filling the DS-160 form. After that, you should create an account at U.S. Service website and fill other travel details.

On your account on the same website, you will be issued with a deposit slip that you can print out and will need when paying the fees at the ban or via Mpesa. After you make the payment, you can enter your receipt number on the Service website. This will then direct you to a calendar where you can book for a United States embassy Nairobi immigrant visa appointment.

US Visa Interview Questions In Kenya

Whenever a person applies for a US visa, the applicant must attend an office interview at the United States consulate or embassy in Gigiri, Nairobi. Interview appointments are booked online and are handed out in a first-come, first-served criterion. The United States Embassy Nairobi conducts typically office interviews every morning from Monday to Thursday.

Hopefuls without the relevant documentation are not interviewed; hence, you need to double check that you have all forms with you beforehand. Questions asked at United States Embassy in Kenya vary from applicant to applicant as well as the reason for traveling. Usually, the interview will take approximately five to ten minutes after which the interviewer may accept or reject your application or put your case in ‘Administrative Processing.’

In July 2017, the US Visa appointment was extended from seven days before office interviews to 30 days. This move was not well welcomed by many as it was feared that those with urgent deals abroad were significantly affected. Your application will be processed and decided within 2-3days after your office interview.

You can choose to pick it up at the American Embassy or have it delivered to by courier services, in most cases DHL courier service. In the event it was marked administrative processing; then it might take approximately 60 days before you get a verdict.

Application Passport Photo Requirements

The photograph attached to your application should follow some laid guidelines; otherwise, your request might be declined. The following should be taken into account:

• The picture should be coloured.
• It should also have a white background.
• The passport must have a close up of your face and the top of your shoulders. Your head should take 70 to 80% of the picture size.
• Make sure it is clean and has a sharp focus.
• No ink marks or creases should be visible on the photo.
• You should be looking directly into camera lenses.
• Make sure it is also 5.5cm (55 milimeters) long and wide. This means that it should be a perfect square with equal sides.
• Your skin tone must be shown naturally.
• Appropriate contrast and brightness should be used.
• Do not wear any headgear or caps.
• The picture should not be more than six months old.
• You can wear headgears if you have any medical condition or your religion doesn’t allow you to remove it.
• All the main characteristics of your face should be visible. This means that the nose, chin, eyebrows, and eyes should never be covered. Also, uncover the forehead such that your face shape is clear.
• No staple marks should be seen on the picture.
• If you have long hair, then tuck them behind your ears.
• Colour photocopies and scanned images can never be accepted.

US Visa Validity

The validity has nothing to do with the length of time you are allowed in the country. You will only be authorized to remain in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security. If you hold a valid travel document, then you can travel to the nation multiple times for the same purpose you stated.

If it expires while you are in the country and you have not completed the purpose that made you travel, don’t panic. This is because you can stay as long as the length of stay stated by the Department of Homeland Security on Form I-94 has not come to an end. However, you should depart as soon as the official stipulated time comes to an end.

If you hold a non-immigrant card and you want to renew it before it expires, then you will have to go through the whole process. You will start a new application, go through the interview, and let the responsible officers gauge whether you are qualified to get a new US visa. Nonetheless, sometimes, you might not be interviewed again.

US Visa Denials

Responsible officers may reject your US visa application for some reason. In such a case, your application fee will not be refunded as it covers processing costs. Regardless of whether you received or were denied the document, the amount cannot be reimbursed. Also if it is repudiated and you decide to apply again, you will pay a new processing fee.

Some refused applications may need to undergo further administrative processing. In such a case, the officers in charge will inform you as soon as you complete your interview. The duration of this exercise might vary depending on your case’s circumstances. Wait for around 180 days unless you have to travel to the United States due to an emergency (illness, injury or death of family member).

Moving Into And Out Of The United States From Kenya

A US visa card doesn’t guarantee you an automatic entry into the United States. It only allows you to travel to the country’s port of entries (Airport or land borders). While in there, then you have to request for permission to be allowed in. The Department of Homeland Security has the authority to deny or permit you to the United States.

It determines how long you will stay. Upon receiving permission, you will get your form 1-94 stamped. Keep this document inside your passport as it is proof that you are legally allowed to be in the United States.

Move out of the country before the date written on the I-94 form. Turn in the document before leaving. If you happen to depart with it, then this means that your exit wasn’t recorded. Make sure you don’t remain with the form. If you do, the next time you apply for admission, the Department of Homeland Security may conclude that you stayed in the United States beyond the authorized time. This will lead to cancellation and immediate deportation.

My Visa/Form I-94 Was Stolen/Damaged, What Do I Do?

Stolen Form I-94 fall under the Department of Homeland Security. You should, therefore, apply for a replacement at the DHS, United States Citizenship, and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

Report any lost or stolen passport to the country’s embassy. Just go online and check contact information to the nearest consular section.

A lost US Visa should be reported to the United States Embassy in the country which issued you the document. Go to the US Visa Embassy website to locate email address and contact details. Include your full name, place of birth, date of birth, and your United States address if you decide to write an email.

Also, indicate whether it was stolen or lost. If you have a copy of the documentation, scan and attach to the email. Don’t forget to report the type of travel document and the passport number that was attached to it.

If you happen to find the lost or stolen card and you had reported to the United States Embassy, then it is invalid and cannot be used for future travels. You, therefore, need to apply for a new one.

You cannot get a replacement in the United States so apply in person at a United States Consulate or Embassy. You need a written account confirming the loss of the card and a police report.

I Changed My Name, Is My US Visa Valid With Old Name?

• If you legally changed your initials through either divorce, marriage, or court order, you should first obtain a new passport. Once you have it, apply for a new one so that you can easily travel to and from the United States.

United States Embassy Nairobi Kenya

• The American Embassy location is at Gigiri-United Nations Avenue, Nairobi. Initially, the embassy was based in Nairobi Central District, but after being a target of terrorist attack, it was relocated to Gigiri.

US Embassy Nairobi Kenya Contacts

• In case of any queries concerning appointment or United States embassy Nairobi visa fees, one can contact the United States Embassy on +254-20-619-0600 or +1 703-988-7112 (in the United States). Additionally, you can get more information at http://nairobi.usembassy.gov.

What’s your take on this? We believe this article was helpful, if yes, don’t hesitate to share this information with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and other Social Platforms.