Kenya · Canada Visa Cost 2026
Canada visa from Kenya 2026 — full KES cost breakdown
CAD 100 IRCC fee + CAD 85 biometrics + extras = KSh 18,000–25,000+ DIY. Or SwiftPass at KSh 25,700 ($199 flat) for the full IRCC application preparation — government fees still paid directly to Canada.
Full KES cost breakdown — DIY route
Every cost a Kenyan applicant pays applying directly through IRCC + VAC Nairobi. Exchange rate ~KES 95/CAD at time of writing.
| Cost item | Original currency | Approx KES | Paid to |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRCC visitor visa fee (single applicant) | CAD 100 | KSh 9,500 | IRCC online |
| Biometrics fee (valid 10 years) | CAD 85 | KSh 8,100 | IRCC via VAC Nairobi |
| Family biometrics fee (max) | CAD 170 | KSh 16,200 | IRCC via VAC Nairobi |
| Passport photos (IRCC-spec) | ~KSh 500–1,500 | KSh 500–1,500 | Photo studio Nairobi |
| Travel insurance (optional but recommended) | CAD 30–80 | KSh 2,850–7,600 | Insurance provider |
| VAC Nairobi appointment booking | Free | KSh 0 | VFS Global |
| Document translation (if applicable) | Variable | KSh 2,000–10,000 | Certified translator |
| DIY total (single applicant) | — | KSh 19,950–28,200 | + your time / risk of refusal |
CAD fees as published by IRCC for 2026. Exchange rates fluctuate; check current rate at time of payment.
The SwiftPass alternative
Pay KSh 25,700 flat. SwiftPass prepares the entire IRCC application.
Standard tier: KSh 25,700 ($199 flat)
5–7 business days application prep. Express, Priority, VIP tiers available.
Why Kenyans get a 10-year multi-entry visa (and how to keep that bar)
Once approved, Canadian visitor visas for Kenyan applicants are typically issued for 10-year multi-entry validity — meaning you can visit Canada repeatedly within that decade, up to 6 months per visit. That's an enormous lifetime asset. The catch: IRCC's approval bar for Kenyans is calibrated to that 10-year horizon, so the documentation has to demonstrate sustained stability — not just for the immediate trip.
- 01Financial stability over 3–6 months. Equity/KCB/Stanbic/Co-op statements showing consistent balance + income flow. M-Pesa transaction history supplements.
- 02Employment or business documentation. Letter from Kenyan employer, business registration if self-employed, payslips.
- 03Ties to Kenya. Property ownership, family dependents, ongoing business — proof you'll return.
- 04Purpose-of-visit clarity. Specific itinerary, accommodation, who you're visiting (if applicable), return ticket.
SwiftPass's expert review is calibrated to that exact 10-year-approval bar — that's what 94% first-submission approval looks like in practice.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Canada visitor visa cost from Kenya in 2026?
The Canada IRCC visitor visa fee is CAD 100 (approximately KSh 9,500). Biometrics fee is CAD 85 (KSh 8,100), valid for 10 years across all Canada applications. Plus you'll pay VAC Nairobi processing if applicable, passport photos, and supporting document costs. Total DIY cost typically lands at KSh 18,000–25,000+ before any application service. SwiftPass handles the complete IRCC online application preparation for a flat KSh 25,700 ($199) — IRCC and biometrics fees still paid directly to the Canadian government.
Where do I apply for a Canada visa from Kenya?
All Canada visitor visa applications from Kenya are submitted online through the IRCC portal (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). Biometrics are collected in person at the Canada Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Nairobi, located at Parkfield Building, 5th Floor, Muthangari Drive, Off Waiyaki Way, Opposite Safaricom House, Westlands. VAC operates Monday to Friday 07:30–16:00. SwiftPass books your biometrics appointment as part of the service.
How long does a Canada visa from Kenya take?
Processing time for Kenyan visitor visa applications typically runs 4–8 weeks from IRCC after biometrics submission. SwiftPass's expert document preparation reduces back-and-forth Request-For-Further-Information delays that can extend Kenyan applications to 12+ weeks. Standard SwiftPass tier prepares the application in 5–7 business days; Express in 3–5; Priority same-day; VIP white-glove with dedicated consultant.
What's the Canada visa rejection rate for Kenyans?
Canadian visitor visa refusals for Kenyans are most commonly attributable to: (1) weak ties-to-Kenya documentation, (2) unstable or insufficient financial evidence (3–6 months of statements expected), (3) unclear purpose-of-visit narrative. SwiftPass's 94% first-submission approval for Kenyan applicants is built on calibrating documentation against IRCC's specific Kenyan-applicant assessment criteria. Apply at swiftpassimmigration.com/apply.
Are M-Pesa statements accepted as financial proof for Canada?
Yes — IRCC accepts M-Pesa transaction history as supporting financial evidence for Kenyan applicants when combined with traditional bank statements (Equity, KCB, Stanbic, Co-op, NCBA). SwiftPass formats M-Pesa records to IRCC document standards, including 3–6 month transaction summaries showing stable balance and income flow.
Ready to apply for your Canada visitor visa?
Skip the IRCC forms, the document research, the M-Pesa formatting. SwiftPass at KSh 25,700 flat — 94% first-submission approval, 10-year multi-entry approval bar.
Apply for KSh 25,700 flat