Notice on Upgrading the online Visa Application System

In order to further enhance the efficiency of visa application and optimize service processes, the Visa Application Centre will coordinate with the People’s Republic of China Embassy in Kenya to launch the online visa application system. Starting from March 31, all applicants (excluding Hong Kong and Macao visa applicants) are required to fill in the application form and submit the materials online, before submitting the documents at the Visa Application Centre after the online review is approved (diplomatic, official visa applicants are still required to submit the application at the corresponding embassy or consulate).

To ensure a smooth system upgrade, the Visa Application Service Centre plans to carry out the system upgrade from March 28, 1500h to March 31, 0800h. After the upgrade, all forms filled out through the current website will no longer be used. Thus, applicants who have already filled in the form through the current website have until March 28, 1500h to submit their documents to the Visa Application Centre.

In addition, during the period of system upgrade (from March 28, 1500h to March 31, 0800h), it is recommended to suspend online application to avoid loss of information.

Visa Application process after system upgrade:

1. Prepare visa application materials
The visa application materials include basic materials and other supporting materials.

2. Fill in the Visa Application Form online and upload the application materials

Please log on to the website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (hereinafter referred to as "the Visa Application Centre") www.visaforchina.cn select Chinese Visa Application Centre in Kenya and log in after registration. Fill in the Visa Application Form online, upload the application materials and submit them according to the prompts, and wait for the preliminary review to be approved. All applicants (excluding Hong Kong and Macao visa applicants) are required to use the website to fill in the application form online and complete upload of application materials.

Special Reminder:
After submitting your application, the Consulate or Visa Application Centre may provide feedback at any time, please go to "Application Status Enquiry" to keep abreast of the progress of your application. When the status of the application is "Passport to be submitted", print the "Visa Application Certificate"

3. Submit the visa application materials and pay the fee at the Visa Application Centre

I. If the application status is "Passport to be submitted" and the applicant has received a confirmation email, he/she can bring the printed "Visa Application Certificate" to the Visa Application Centre from 0800h to 1500h on working days to submit the visa application materials.

II. Submit the following documents to the Visa Application Centre:

i. Original passport;

ii. 1 photo (within 6 months, bareheaded, color, small 2-inch 48mm×33mm);

iii. Other supporting materials required.

Reminder: Upon arrival at the Visa Application Centre, applicants might be required to provide additional supporting documents if necessary.

III. Applicants are required to have their fingerprints collected at the Visa Application Centre. The following visa applicants are exempted from fingerprint collection:
(1) Persons under the age of 14 or over 70 years old;
(2) Persons who have applied for a visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in Kenya with the same passport within five years and have had their fingerprints taken;
(3) Persons whose fingers are mutilated or whose fingerprints cannot be retained;
(4) Before December 31, 2025 (inclusive), the Chinese Embassy in Kenya will exempt all single and double entry applicants applying for short-term visas (with a stay period of less than 180 days) from fingerprint collection.

The Embassy solemnly reminds:
Applicants must go in person to have their fingerprints collected. If it is discovered that someone else is impersonating the applicant to collect fingerprints, the person concerned will be denied entry into China and will bear the corresponding consequences.

IV. All fees must be paid at the same time as when the application materials are being submitted at the Visa Application Centre, including the visa fee and the service fee.

4. Collect certificates
Applicants can collect their documents from the Visa Application Centre at the corresponding collection time with the pick-up form certificate issued at the time of application.

Reminder: If the consular officers decide to extend the processing time in regards to the circumstance, the corresponding expedited fee will not be refunded, this won’t be communicated beforehand.

 
                                                                                              Nairobi Chinese Visa Application Service  Centre                                                                                                                           Monday 24th March 2025