The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Kenya enjoy strong and steadily advancing bilateral relations founded on friendship, mutual respect, shared interests, and a common commitment to promoting the prosperity and well-being of both nations. Diplomatic relations were established in 1982 with the opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Abu Dhabi, followed by the inauguration of the Consulate General of Kenya in Dubai in 2011. The United Arab Emirates opened its Embassy in Nairobi in 2012, followed by the establishment of a Visa Application Center in 2014. Most recently, the UAE extended visa-on-arrival eligibility to Kenyan nationals and their family members holding valid residence permits or visas issued by the United States, European Union member states, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Singapore, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada.
In recent years, the bilateral partnership has gained significant momentum, particularly in trade, investment, employment opportunities, air connectivity, security and defense, knowledge exchange, and international cooperation. The UAE has become a key destination for Kenyan exports and a leading source of Kenya's imports, while the growing presence of Emirati companies in Kenya and Kenyan businesses in the UAE reflects the expanding scope of economic cooperation between the two countries. Bilateral trade continues to record sustained growth, further reinforcing this dynamic partnership. In addition, the Embassy actively contributes to multilateral engagement through its accreditation to the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Kenya enjoy a robust economic partnership underpinned by trade, investment, connectivity, and shared development priorities. This partnership was further advanced by the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in January 2025, which is designed to remove barriers to trade, facilitate investment flows, strengthen private-sector collaboration, and unlock new commercial opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Over the years, the UAE has consolidated its position as one of Kenya's leading trading partners among the Gulf countries and serves as a strategic gateway for Kenyan exports to markets across the Middle East and beyond. Several prominent Emirati companies have established a strong presence in Kenya, including Carrefour, operated by Majid Al Futtaim, as well as DP World and AD Ports Group, which play a pivotal role in transport, logistics, and trade facilitation. Air connectivity between the two countries is supported by Emirates Airline, flydubai, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, and Kenya Airways, facilitating passenger travel, cargo movement, and closer economic ties.
This interactive page provides Emirati travelers with personalized travel guidance and essential entry requirements based on their selected destination. Through a user-friendly map interface, travelers can quickly access important information, understand destination-specific regulations and requirements, and prepare confidently for their international journey.
- View destination-specific visa and entry requirements.
- Access the latest travel guidance and important alerts.
- Review passport, health, and required documentation requirements.
- Prepare for international travel using reliable and relevant guidance.
This interactive page provides non-UAE citizens with clear and accessible information about visa requirements for entering the United Arab Emirates. Users can search for their country or nationality and quickly determine whether they are eligible for visa-free entry or are required to obtain a visa before travelling, helping them plan their visit and complete the necessary arrangements in advance.
- Search for visa information by country or nationality.
- Check whether entry to the UAE is visa-free or requires a visa.
- View country-specific visa eligibility information.
- Prepare the required travel and visa arrangements before departure.
