China visa for citizens of Kenya
Citizens of Kenya need a visa before travelling to China: the Tourist visa (L), applied via COVA online form and Chinese embassy/consulate or visa centre.
With a passport of Kenya
Visa before you travel, 30 days
visa required before travel
Apply via COVA (cova.mfa.gov.cn) and a Chinese mission. 24-hour airside transit allowed for all. Regional schemes (e.g. Hainan 30-day entry for listed nationalities, ASEAN tour groups to Guangxi, cruise groups) not covered here.
Where can I travel?
Every destination for citizens of KenyaBy purpose of the trip
| Purpose | What you need |
|---|---|
| Tourism | Tourist visa (L), applied via COVA online form and Chinese embassy/consulate or visa centre |
| Business | Visa before you travel |
| Family visit | Tourist visa (L), applied via COVA online form and Chinese embassy/consulate or visa centre |
| Study | Visa before you travel |
| Work | Visa before you travel |
| Transit | Visa before you travel |
Ways into China
Tourist visa (L), applied via COVA online form and Chinese embassy/consulate or visa centre
Visa needed- Stay
- usually 30 days per entry (as printed on visa)
- Processing
- about 4 working days regular at most missions
- Interview
- No
Check before you travel
- Unilateral list end date 31 Dec 2026: no extension into 2027 found on MFA/NIA as of 2026-11-04 (extensions were announced in November in past years). Re-check after mid November 2026.
- Malaysia mutual exemption effective date 17 Jul 2025 not confirmed on a Chinese government page (NIA table dated April 2025 predates it); Azerbaijan date from Azerbaijan MFA, Uzbekistan from Uzbek MFA.
- Russia extension to 31 Dec 2027 confirmed via Shanghai municipal government site quoting MFA spokesperson, not the MFA notice itself.
- Laos, Grenada and Tonga rows in the NIA mutual-exemption table are ambiguous.
- L visa fee not a single figure: depends on nationality and mission; reduced fees until 31 Dec 2026.
Questions
Do citizens of Kenya need a visa for China?
Citizens of Kenya need a visa before travelling to China: the Tourist visa (L), applied via COVA online form and Chinese embassy/consulate or visa centre.
How much does it cost?
See the official site for the current fee.
Can Sroky apply for me?
Not for this trip yet. Apply on the official site: https://cova.mfa.gov.cn.
Can I study or work in China on this?
Study and work need their own permission; see the official site.
China for other passports
Official sources
Checked on November 4, 2026
- Chinese Embassy in Denmark: Notice on Extending the Unilateral Visa-free Policy (4 Nov 2025)
- MFA spokesperson, visa waiver for Canada and UK from 17 Feb 2026
- Shanghai government: visa-free policy for Russia extended to 31 Dec 2027
- NIA: Details of Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements (Apr 2025)
- NIA: Visa-Free Transit Policies (20 Aug 2026)
- Azerbaijan MFA press release No:272/25
- Uzbekistan MFA: entry into force of visa exemption with China
- Chinese Embassy in the US: visa fee reduction extension
- China Online Visa Application (COVA)
Sroky is a private company and is not part of any government. The destination decides on every entry. Rules change: the official source always applies.