Kenya entry requirements for Madagascar passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed August 7, 2026·View sources
No visa required
60 days
Max stay
60 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
As a Madagascar passport holder, you can visit Kenya visa-free for up to 60 days. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, and you'll be ready for a smooth entry in 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa / Entry PermitYou can enter Kenya without a visa for tourism or business visits up to 60 days. Visa-free entry | No visa required for stays up to 60 days. Entry permit granted on arrival. | Not required |
| Passport validityEnsure your passport does not expire within 6 months of your arrival date. Must be valid 6 months beyond entry | Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Kenya. | Required |
| Blank passport pagesKenyan immigration will stamp your passport upon arrival, so you need a blank page. At least 1 blank page | Your passport must have at least 1 blank page for the entry stamp. | Required |
| Return or onward ticketImmigration may ask to see proof that you will leave Kenya before your allowed stay ends. Proof of departure | You must have a confirmed return or onward ticket showing departure from Kenya before the 60-day stay expires. | Required |
| Proof of sufficient fundsCarry proof of financial means in case immigration asks how you will support yourself. For your stay | You may be asked to show evidence of sufficient funds to cover your stay in Kenya (e.g., cash, credit card, bank statement). | Recommended |
| Yellow fever vaccination certificateHave your yellow fever certificate ready; you may be denied entry without it. Required for travelers from Madagascar | A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers arriving from Madagascar, which is a yellow fever endemic country. | Required |
| Arrival declarationYou do not need to fill out any additional arrival form beyond the standard immigration procedures. Not required | No separate arrival declaration is required for Madagascar passport holders entering Kenya. | Not required |
Visa-free entry confirmed
You can stay in Kenya for up to 60 days without a visa. No application, no fee—just make sure your passport is valid and you have your yellow fever certificate if coming from Madagascar.
Yellow fever certificate is a must
If you arrive from Madagascar without a yellow fever vaccination certificate, Kenyan health officials may require you to get vaccinated on the spot or deny you entry. Get the shot at least 10 days before travel.
Passport validity is non-negotiable
Kenyan immigration will not let you in if your passport expires within 6 months of your arrival. Double-check your passport's expiry date before booking flights.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents before departure
Check your passport validity (at least 6 months from arrival), print your return ticket, and have your yellow fever certificate ready. If you're flying from Madagascar, you'll likely transit through Addis Ababa, Nairobi, or another hub—keep these documents in your carry-on.
2
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi) or Moi International Airport (Mombasa)
Follow the 'Visitors' or 'Foreign Passports' signs to the immigration hall. Join the queue for non-citizens. Have your passport, return ticket, and yellow fever certificate ready to present to the officer.
3
Immigration officer checks your documents
The officer will scan your passport, verify your visa-free eligibility, and may ask about your accommodation and purpose of visit. Answer clearly and confidently. They'll stamp your passport with a visitor's entry stamp valid for up to 60 days.
4
Collect your luggage and proceed through customs
After clearing immigration, pick up your bags from the carousel. You may be asked to declare items. Then exit into the arrivals hall where you can exchange money, get a local SIM, or arrange transport.
Download Kenya Entry Checklist
PDF · Madagascar Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated August 7, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Business visa
Max stay6 months
ValiditySingle entry, valid for 3 months from issue
CostKES 5,000 (approx. $38)
Requires invitation letter from Kenyan company and proof of business purpose.
Multiple entry visa
Max stay6 months per visit
Validity12 months from issue
CostKES 10,000 (approx. $75)
For frequent travelers; apply at Kenyan embassy or online via eCitizen (if eligible).
work visa
Work Permit (Class D)
Up to 2 years, renewable
~$500 USD (approx. 65,000 KES)
For foreign nationals employed by a Kenyan company. Requires employer sponsorship, contract, and proof of qualifications.
student visa
Student Pass (Class M)
Duration of course, renewable annually
~$200 USD (approx. 26,000 KES)
For enrolled students at recognized Kenyan institutions. Requires admission letter and proof of funds.
investor visa
Investor Permit (Class I)
Up to 3 years, renewable
~$1,000 USD (approx. 130,000 KES)
For individuals investing at least $100,000 USD in Kenya. Requires business plan and proof of investment.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Extension of stay (up to 6 months)Apply at the Department of Immigration in Nairobi before your 60 days expire. | KES 2,000 (approx. $15) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documentation20%
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 Kenya
No transit visa needed
Madagascar passport holders transiting through Kenya do not require a visa if staying airside and continuing within 24 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport transit area, a visa on arrival is required (free for Madagascar passport holders).
Transit hubsJomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) · Moi International Airport (MBA)
Health & vaccines for Kenya
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (Madagascar is not endemic, but proof may be requested if transiting through endemic areas).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout Kenya, especially in lowland areas; prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Occurs in urban and rural areas; mosquito avoidance advised.
CholeraLow risk
Rare in tourists; risk increases during floods or in areas with poor sanitation.
Malaria risk: high
High risk in all regions except Nairobi and high-altitude areas; prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline) strongly recommended.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Nairobi
Department of Immigration Services – Nyayo House
Nyayo House, Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00
Main office for visa extensions and permits; bring passport, photos, and fee.
Mombasa
Mombasa Immigration Office
Mombasa Immigration Office, Mombasa
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30
Handles extensions for coastal visitors; less crowded than Nairobi.
Practical information for MG travellers
Country basics
CapitalNairobi
LanguageSwahili, English
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid for up to 90 days with IDP.
Money
CurrencyKenyan Shilling (KES)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 129.25 KES
Time zone
Local timeUTC+3
vs New York+8h (EST) / +7h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+11h (PST) / +10h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage240V / 50Hz
Plug types
GType G (UK-style) — US plugs do not fit. Bring a UK/universal adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Do not drink tap water. Use sealed bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Kenya — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. Madagascar passport holders are visa-free for Kenya for up to 60 days. You don't need to apply for anything in advance—just show up with a valid passport and the required documents.
No, the visa-free entry is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you must leave Kenya before the 60 days are up and re-enter, or apply for a different type of visa from a Kenyan embassy before your trip.
You'll likely be denied entry. Kenyan immigration requires at least 6 months of passport validity from your date of arrival. Renew your passport before traveling.
Yes, if you're arriving from Madagascar (which is a yellow fever endemic country). You must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at Kenyan immigration. If you don't have one, you may be vaccinated at the airport or refused entry.
No. Since you're visa-free, there's no visa fee. You only pay for your flight and any other travel expenses.
Show cash, credit/debit cards, or recent bank statements. A rough guideline is to have at least $100–$200 per day of your stay, but it's not a strict rule. Just be prepared to show you can cover your expenses.
Yes, you can enter via any international airport or land border. The main airports are Jomo Kenyatta International (Nairobi) and Moi International (Mombasa). The same visa-free rules apply at all entry points.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on August 7, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.