Business travel to Nairobi, planned from Pakistan
Nairobi is East Africa’s business hub and home to the United Nations Office at Nairobi. Pakistani companies go there for the tea trade, pharmaceutical and food exports, regional distributors and conferences, and use it as a base for Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
Nairobi for business travellers from Pakistan
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Entry | All visitors need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online at the official eTA site before travel. |
| Fee | US$30 for a standard eTA; an expedited option costs more, according to Kenya’s official notice. |
| Processing | About 3 working days (72 hours) according to the official eTA FAQs; it can take longer, so apply early. |
| Business documents | An invitation letter from the Kenyan company and a copy of its registration certificate. |
| Validity | Travel within 90 days of issue; the length of stay is decided at entry. |
| Airport | Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO), about 30 to 60 minutes from the business districts. |
| Money | Kenyan shilling (KES). Mobile money is widely used; cards work in hotels. |
How the Kenya eTA works
Kenya replaced most visas with the eTA. Applicants complete the online form, upload a passport bio page, photo, itinerary and hotel booking, and for business trips, an invitation letter from the Kenyan company and a copy of its registration. The official FAQs give about three working days for processing, and say it can take longer.
Apply as soon as the trip is confirmed, and do not travel until the eTA is approved. Print the approval and carry it with your passport.
Tea, pharmaceuticals and regional trade
Kenyan tea is sold through the auction in Mombasa, and Pakistan is a major buyer; many Pakistani tea importers keep close relationships with Kenyan producers and brokers. Pharmaceutical, rice, textile and engineering exporters also use Nairobi to meet East African distributors.
- Upper Hill and Westlands for corporate offices
- Gigiri for the UN complex and embassies
- Industrial Area and Mombasa Road for factories and warehouses
Yellow fever and health
Some African countries have yellow fever risk areas, and many countries, including Pakistan, can ask for a yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers arriving from those countries. Check the World Health Organization’s current country list and Pakistan’s health requirements before you travel, and get vaccinated in time if your route needs it. Carry the certificate with your passport for the return trip.
Security and practical planning
Plan every movement in Nairobi in advance: pre-booked airport transfers, a known driver for the day, and hotels in the main business districts. Share itineraries with your office, keep copies of passports and visas separately, and check the Government of Pakistan’s and the host country’s official advisories before you travel.
How Go Global manages a Nairobi trip
Entry plan
We prepare the eTA with the host’s invitation and registration copy.
Flights
One-stop routes into JKIA.
Hotels
In Westlands, Upper Hill or Gigiri.
In Nairobi
Pre-booked cars and a contact plan.
After the trip
One invoice and a trip record.
Nairobi business travel questions
Do Pakistanis need a visa for Kenya?
All visitors need an eTA, applied for online before travel.
How much is the Kenya eTA?
US$30 for a standard eTA, according to Kenya’s official notice. Expedited processing costs more.
How long does the eTA take?
About three working days according to the official FAQs; it can take longer.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate?
It depends on your route. Check WHO’s current list and Pakistan’s requirements before travel.
Related guides and services
Planning a trip to Nairobi?
Tell us who is travelling, when and why. We reply with a plan, the visa route and a quote. Go Global has handled 100,000+ trips, and our team works 24/7 for travellers on the road. Email insights@goglobal.pk or WhatsApp 0320-4111222.