Kenyans Decry Costly US Visa Fees as Rejection Rates Remain High

Thousands of Kenyans face mounting financial strain as US visa application fees rise and approval rates remain low.

Individuals applying for tourist and business visas (B1/B2), student visas (F), and exchange visitor visas (J) currently pay $185 (about KSh24,000), following an increase in May 2023. Petition-based temporary work visas, including H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories, now cost $205, while treaty trader and investor visas under the E category are $315. None of these fees are refundable, regardless of whether the application is approved.

The introduction of a $250 Visa Integrity Fee has further increased the total cost of a US visa application to approximately $435 (around KSh56,500). Many applicants view this as a significant financial risk, given persistently high refusal rates.

Official statistics for the 2024 fiscal year indicate that 63.32 per cent of Kenyan applicants for tourist and business visas were denied. Student visa applicants faced an even higher rate of rejection, with 74 percent of applications refused in 2023, placing Kenya among the countries with the highest denial rates globally.

A study by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration found that African students face disproportionately high challenges, with Ethiopia recording a 78 percent refusal rate, Nigeria 75 percent, and Kenya third.

US authorities attribute most visa denials to concerns over applicants’ likelihood of returning home before their visas expire. However, many Kenyans report losing scholarships, missing opportunities, and incurring repeated financial losses. Social media has become a platform for applicants to share these experiences.

An advisory from the US Embassy urging applicants to “be honest, respect the rules and return home on time” drew criticism for not addressing broader systemic challenges.