Suriname entry requirements for Kenya passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
eVisa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Kenyan passport holders need an eVisa to enter Suriname. You apply entirely online before you travel, and approval usually comes within a few days. Plan ahead — this requirement has been in place since 2024 and is strictly enforced at Paramaribo Airport.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
eVisa application
Apply before departure
Apply for a Suriname eVisa at the official government portal. Processing takes 5–10 business days. Print the approval email and carry it with your passport — immigration at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport will stamp the sticker on arrival.Apply for eVisaRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for the entire stay
Your Kenyan passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Suriname. Airlines at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport check this before boarding — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of onward travel
Immigration officers at Paramaribo routinely ask for a printed or digital return ticket showing you leave Suriname within the eVisa validity period. Budget airlines like Fly All Ways and Surinam Airways enforce this at check-in — have the booking confirmation ready.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or invitation letter
Carry a printed hotel reservation or a signed invitation letter from your host in Suriname. Immigration may ask for it at the counter — a simple booking confirmation from Booking.com or Airbnb works.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show sufficient cash or card balance
Have at least USD 500 (or equivalent in EUR/SRD) available in cash or on a debit/credit card. Immigration officers occasionally ask for proof of financial means — a bank statement or ATM receipt suffices.Recommended
eVisa is mandatory — no exceptions
Kenyan passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival in Suriname. You must have an approved eVisa before you board your flight. Airlines check this at check-in, and you'll be denied boarding without it.
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you land in Suriname, not from your departure date. If your passport expires in less than 6 months after your planned arrival, renew it before applying for the eVisa.

What happens at the border

1
Apply for the eVisa online
Go to the official Suriname eVisa website (no third-party sites needed). Fill in your personal details, passport info, travel dates, and upload a passport-style photo. Pay the fee with a credit or debit card. Processing takes 3–5 business days on average.
2
Receive and save your eVisa
Once approved, you'll get a PDF via email. Print a copy and also save it on your phone. Immigration at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBM) will check it when you arrive.
3
Prepare documents for arrival
Before you land, have your passport, eVisa printout, return ticket, and accommodation booking ready. Keep them in your hand luggage — not checked bags.
4
Go through immigration at PBM
At Paramaribo Airport, join the foreign passport queue. Hand over your passport and eVisa. The officer may ask about your stay duration and where you're staying. Answer clearly. You'll get a stamp allowing up to 90 days.
Download Suriname Entry Checklist
PDF · Kenya Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$40 USD (approx. 5,200 KES)

Standard eVisa option.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year
Cost$80 USD (approx. 10,400 KES)

For frequent travellers.

Other fees
ServiceCost
eVisa (single entry)Standard fee for Kenya passport holders applying online.$40 USD (approx. $40 USD)
Overstay fine per dayCharged for each day overstay; maximum cap applies.$10 USD per day (max $200 USD)
Stay extension (if applicable)Possible at immigration office; subject to approval.$25 USD (approx. $25 USD)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds proof30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete application form20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Suriname

No transit visa needed

Kenya passport holders transiting through Suriname do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing immigration.

Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsJohan Adolf Pengel International Airport (PBM)

Health & vaccines for Suriname

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)Essential
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk

Mosquito-borne; use repellent and nets.

MalariaLow risk

Risk in interior regions; prophylaxis recommended for rural travel.

Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk

Avoid tap water and street food.

Malaria risk: low

Risk in interior regions; prophylaxis recommended for rural travel.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Paramaribo
Immigration Department Suriname
Waterkant 10, Paramaribo
Mon–Fri 07:30–14:30

Main office for visa extensions and inquiries.

Practical information for KE travellers

Country basics
CapitalParamaribo
LanguageDutch
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencySurinamese dollar (SRD)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 37.14 SRD
updated May 29
Time zone
Local timeUTC-3
vs New York+1h
vs Los Angeles+4h
Electricity
Voltage127V / 220V, 60Hz
Plug types
C,FTypes C and F, European-style two-pin plugs
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Police115
Medical113
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

Typically 3–5 business days, but it can take up to a week. Apply at least 10 days before your trip to be safe. There's no expedited option.
No, the eVisa does not allow extensions. If you need to stay longer, you must leave Suriname and re-enter, or apply for a different visa type from the immigration office in Paramaribo before your 90 days expire.
Rejections are rare but can happen if your passport has less than 6 months validity, you have a criminal record, or your application has errors. You can reapply with corrected information, but the fee is non-refundable.
Suriname requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Kenya is not on that list, so you likely don't need it unless you've recently traveled to an affected country. Check with your doctor.
Yes, but the eVisa is still required. You'll need to show it at the border crossing. The same 90-day stay limit applies. Land crossings are less busy than the airport, but document checks are just as strict.
No. The only option is the eVisa obtained before travel. There is no visa on arrival at any Suriname entry point.
The local currency is the Surinamese dollar (SRD). US dollars are widely accepted in Paramaribo, but you'll get better rates using local currency. ATMs are available at the airport and in the city. Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels and restaurants, but cash is king in smaller shops.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.