Introduction

A visa is a travel document issued by authorized government agencies to foreign citizens applying to enter, exit from or transit through the host country's territory based on the host country's laws and regulations.

Foreign citizens must obtain a Chinese visa before entry into China, with the exception of visa-free entry based on relevant agreements with other countries or Chinese regulations. Please check the validity of your visa before traveling to China. If the visa is expired or the number of entries is completely used, you must apply for a new visa.

The Chinese Embassy in Kenya do not accept visa applications of ordinary passport holders. Applicants holding ordinary passport must submit their visa applications to the Chinese Visa Center located in Nairobi.

In accordance with international law and practice, any sovereign state is entitled to decide on whether or not to allow a foreign citizen to enter or exit from its territory, and whether to issue a visa, decline a visa application or to cancel an issued visa in accordance with its national laws.

Chinese consular officials are entitled to decide on the type, number of entries, validity and duration of each stay of a visa to be issued based on Chinese laws and regulations. Consular officials reserve the right to decline a visa application or revoke a visa.

The Chinese Embassy in Kenya has officially launched online visa application services on March 31, 2025. The following application requirements apply to visa application using the new application system.

I. Process of Visa Application

    1. Visa applicants need to log on to the website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Center(CVASC) to fill in the online application forms and upload the required documents, and the application will enter the initial review phase. During this period, applicants can log into the website to check the application status and, as required, modify the form or supplement application documents. 

    2. When the status of the application changes to “Passport to be submitted”, please submit the application in person with passport and documents, provide biometric information (e.g. fingerprints), and pay visa fees in the CVASC in Nairobi. The application will now enter the secondary review stage. Upon approval, the applicant is required to visit the CVASC in Nairobi again to collect the passport and visa.

II. Visa Types and Required Documents

    For the detailed required documents, please click here.

https://www.visaforchina.cn/NBO3_EN/qianzhengyewu/jichuzhishi/banliliucheng

III. Processing Time and Fees

　　Regular service: 4 business days

　　Express service: 3 business days (urgent situation)

　　Please note: The above processing time is average and for reference only and is calculated from the date of passport submission. Some applications may require longer processing time that a pick-up date cannot be confirmed until notified by the Embassy.

　　Please make sure that all the information on the visa is correct when picking up. If there is any inaccuracy, please tell the staff immediately in case inconvenience brought by the incorrect information.

For visa fees, please click here. 

IV. Address and Contact Information of the CVASC

 Website: https://bio.visaforchina.cn/NBO3_EN/

Address: 7th floor, The Chancery, Milimani, Valley Road, Nairobi

Office Hours: Monday to Friday (except public holidays)

Visa Application Submission for normal and express service: 08:00 till 15:00

Collection for Express and Normal service: 08:00 till 15:30

Helpline: +254 790 487 260

Email:nairobicenter@visaforchina.org

Helpline Timing: 08:00 till 15:00, Monday to Friday (except public holidays)