United Kingdom reduces visa processing time for Kenyans
Kenyans who wish to visit the United Kingdom have been handed a boost amid confirmation the visa application period has been significantly reduced.
Henceforth, Kenyans will wait for 15 days to learn if their Visa application is a success.
The process initially required up to six weeks.
The move was confirmed by Jane Marriot, the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Kenya.
She also confirmed that the visas will be printed in Kenya.
“We are happy that visas will be printed here in Kenya. This is a welcome move because they were initially printed In Pretoria which prompted delays. For now, visas for East Africans will be printed in Nairobi,” said Marriott.
Despite the development, Kenyans are still in a disadvantaged position as compared to UK citizens who are allowed to travel to Kenya and have their visas printed upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIUA) in Nairobi.
Kenyans mainly travel to the UK, one of the world’s leading economies for tourism, employment, and job opportunities, especially in the medical fields.
The move comes barely a month after South Africa relaxed its visa rules on Kenya.
A meeting between presidents William Ruto (Kenya) and Cyril Ramaphosa in Nairobi concluded that henceforth Kenyans visiting South Africa will be allowed to receive visas upon arrival in Johannesburg and stay for up to 90 days a year.
Previously, Kenyans were required to apply and wait for up to five days to receive a visa to South Africa. The process also required Kenyans to pay up to Sh5000 for processing of the visa.
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