El Salvador E-Visa for Kenya Citizens: 2026 Entry Requirements

For citizens of Kenya planning a journey to El Salvador—whether to experience the world-class surf of "Surf City," explore the volcanic crater lakes, or engage with the nation’s pioneering Bitcoin ecosystem—securing an official electronic travel permit is a mandatory requirement. As El Salvador enhances its 2026 digital immigration infrastructure, Kenyan passport holders can now manage their visa requirements online, ensuring a compliant departure from East Africa toward Central America.

Visa Policy and Exemptions for Kenyan Travelers

Under current 2026 immigration regulations, Kenya is classified as a country whose citizens require a visa for entry. However, a significant travel shortcut exists for those with extensive international travel history: if you possess a valid, multiple-entry visa from the United States, Canada, or any member of the Schengen Area, you may be exempt from the Salvadoran e-visa requirement. If you do not hold one of these specific third-party visas, you must obtain your official electronic permit before departing from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi.

Document Readiness and Flight Logistics

The journey from Nairobi to San Salvador (SAL) is a major transcontinental trip, typically exceeding 24 to 30 hours of travel time depending on layovers. To ensure your application is processed without administrative delays, all digital submissions must be high-resolution and meet official immigration standards.

The foundation of your request is the Kenya specific document checklist, which includes a clear scan of your passport’s bio-page (valid for at least 6 months) and a professional digital photograph. Logistically, flying from Kenya to El Salvador involves at least one or two connections. Common routes for Kenyan travelers involve transiting through Istanbul (IST) with Turkish Airlines, Doha (DOH) with Qatar Airways, or through European hubs like Paris (CDG) or Frankfurt (FRA). A confirmed flight itinerary is mandatory for authorities to verify your arrival and departure dates.

Currency and Financial Information

Planning your finances is crucial when traveling from the Shilling-based economy of Kenya to Central America. The Kenyan Shilling (KES) is not accepted or exchangeable in El Salvador. The Salvadoran economy operates on a unique dual-currency system where the United States Dollar (USD) and Bitcoin are both recognized as legal tender.

Before you begin the application process, you can review the current visa fees and accepted payment methods to ensure your digital transaction is successful. For your daily expenses in El Salvador, we recommend carrying USD in cash—specifically in small denominations like $1, $5, and $10. While credit cards are widely used in major urban hotels in San Salvador, cash remains the most practical way to pay for local transportation and dining in traditional village markets.

Final Approval and Port of Entry

The standard processing fee for the e-visa for Kenya citizens is $100, and most applications are finalized within 5 to 9 business days. Once your approval is delivered via email, you must print a physical copy of the document. Upon arrival at the San Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport, you will present this paper copy to the immigration officials. They will provide the final entry stamp, which typically permits a stay of up to 90 days in the national territory.