The Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Nairobi, Susan Burns, has urged Kenyans to strictly follow visa regulations, warning misuse could threaten travel opportunities and affect relations between Kenya and the United States.
In a video message shared on X, Burns said the US remains committed to maintaining strong bilateral ties but stressed that the integrity of the visa process must be protected.
“The United States is committed to protecting our country and our citizens. One way we do that is by maintaining strong standards in our visa process,” she said.
Burns said many Kenyans travel to the US each year for business, tourism and education, noting the exchanges help strengthen ties between the two countries.
However, the envoy raised concern over increasing cases of visa misuse, including submission of fraudulent documents, overstaying and changing visa status after entry.
“At the same time, we have seen cases where the visa process is misused. This can include submitting fraudulent documents, staying longer than permitted or entering on one type of visa and changing status upon arrival,” she said.
She warned that such violations could result in serious consequences, including visa bans or suspension of visa services.
“When these systems are abused, countries can face restrictions such as visa bans, or even suspension of visa services,” Burns said.
She added that Kenya has so far avoided such penalties but cautioned that compliance remains critical.
“Kenya has avoided those restrictions so far, but it is important to remember that a visa is a privilege and not a right,” she said.
Call for honesty in applications
Burns urged applicants to provide truthful and complete information when applying for visas, warning against the use of agents offering fake documents.
“For Kenyan applicants, the message is simple. First, provide complete and truthful information in your application,” she said.
She noted many applicants lose money to fraudulent intermediaries, only to face rejection or permanent ineligibility.
“False statements, inconsistencies and the use of fake documents can lead to permanent visa ineligibility,” she said.
The envoy also stressed the importance of complying with visa conditions after entry into the US, particularly observing the permitted duration of stay.
“If you receive a tourist visa, return home before the ‘admit until’ date given to you when you enter the US. Overstaying may mean you may not be able to return in the future,” she said.
She warned that violations by a few individuals could negatively affect other Kenyan travellers.
“It can also make it harder for other Kenyans to get visas,” Burns said.
Burns reaffirmed that both Kenya and the US are keen to maintain open travel channels, especially ahead of global events such as the 2026 World Cup.
“We want Kenyans to continue travelling to the United States for business, education, tourism and global events like the 2026 World Cup,” she said.
