Mid-Term Volunteering

ETA Pass

Kenya has transitioned from visa requirement to Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) from January 2024. The official link for eTA application is https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en. If you already applied for the normal visa, you will still use it during this transition period. Below is your eTA application procedure:

1. Log in to the website above, create an account, agree to terms and conditions, and select your country of residence.
2. Upload your passport biodata page, then your selfie picture or passport-type photo
3. Enter your contact information
4. Enter your travel itinerary information
5. Choose your reason for travel as tourism and enter your accommodation address in Kenya as follows:
   • Full Name and Physical Address of accommodation: CIVS Kenya, Mumias South Road, Buruburu Business Center, Nairobi Kenya
   • Host Telephone Number: 254722210968
   • Host Email: info@civskenya.com
6. Upload the invitation letter in place of the accommodation booking confirmation
7. Confirm and proceed with payment (34 USD)

A yellow fever certificate will only be a requirement if you are first traveling to other countries in Africa or Latin America before entering Kenya. In some instances, later during the processing, our ID or CIVS registration may be required, and you can contact us in case this issue arises. ETA processing can take up to 3 days but if it takes longer, then usually there is an error on the side of the application and the immigration department will contact you by email. CIVS will offer assistance in case of a problem.

Extension of ETA Pass

The ETA pass is valid for 3 months and can be extended for 3 more months online on the electronic Foreign Nationals Services portal (efns) upon expiry.  Below is the procedure for visa extension.

• Create an efns account and log in, or log in using an existing ecitizen account on the following link https://fns.immigration.go.ke/dash/fns/visitorspassextension.php

• Click on Apply now, go to the dashboard and scroll down to Foreign Nationals Services.
• Click on the extension of the visitor’s pass and complete your application. Upload a copy of your visa and passport data page.
• Pay a fee of 50 USD online.
• Go back to the notifications tab on the dashboard, download the official extension notification and print it out.
• Present the printout alongside your passport at the immigration offices in Nairobi/ Mombasa. Have your passport stamped. (You might experience a long queue at the immigration)

The online forms can also be easily filled out at a cybercafé at a fee. CIVS will offer assistance with this as well.

INTERNSHIP PASS

For volunteers who will stay in Kenya for more than 6 months, CIVS will support you to apply for an internship pass upon entry into Kenya. This document costs 100 USD and covers you up to 1 year. You will first need to have applied for an eTA before we help you to apply for an internship pass.

There are usually long delays in processing and issuance of internship passes, but once your application has been received, you are allowed to use the “received” notification to extend your visa even after 6 months.

The following documents will need to be ready before the commencement of the internship pass application: All documents in a foreign language must be translated into English, certified, and stamped.

1. Applicant’s School Certificate
2. Applicant’s Police clearance certificate
3. Applicant’s Current Passport-size color photo
4. Applicant’s Passport biodata
5. Applicant’s visa if they are already in Kenya
6. Commitment letter from sponsor and proof that the applicant will be funded (We will guide you on how to write this letter)
7. CIVS Cover letter
8. CIVS Registration Certificate
9. Applicant’s CV
10. CIVS tax certificate

There will be an orientation seminar for new volunteers lasting 2-3 days including Nairobi city introduction and project placement. Our monthly orientation seminar can begin on any day of the week as soon as you arrive.

You will be accommodated either at the project or in a host family by the project. 

All the meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided either by the family host or at the project. The food is mostly local. 

A sleeping bag, sleeping mat, mosquito net and rechargeable torch are necessary. You can also bring photos of your country, clothes, books, pens, toys etc.

CIVS Kenya organizes tours and safaris to spectacular sites of interest in Kenya. Volunteers, who wish to participate, should let us know as soon as possible in order to enable us to make proper arrangements. The fee charged is all-inclusive of meals, transport, park entry fees, accommodation and tour guiding.

Detailed information will be made available on request.