US Embassy Issues Caution to Kenyans Going to America on Student Visas: "Don't Skip Classes"
- Kenyans flying to the United States on student visas have been cautioned against branching away from their studies once they land there
- The US Embassy in Nairobi warned that using the visas for other purposes besides education would result in the revocation
- In the extreme, the embassy said, the holders would lose their eligibility for any kind of United States visa
The United States embassy in Nairobi has cautioned Kenyans travelling to America on student visas against partaking in other activities besides education.
Source: Getty Images
In a notice via X on Wednesday, August 13, the embassy cautioned against skipping classes without being authorised.
Flouting that would lead to the revocation of the visa and a total ban where necessary.
"Heading to the U.S. on a student visa? Ensure you stay on track! Skipping classes or leaving your program without notifying your school could impact your visa status and future travel plans," the embassy said.
Will social media activities be vetted in US visa application?
The United States has, in the recent past, tightened its regulations for visa issuance to immigrants seeking entry into the powerful country.
Last month, the embassy in Nairobi added social media activities to its list of criteria for assessing visa eligibility.
From then on, applicants will be required to provide links to their active social media accounts covering the past five years.
Any misleading or false information could result in visa denial or even a travel ban.
This development followed the recent introduction of a new visa-related charge for Kenyan applicants.
How much will Kenyans pay for US visa integrity fees?
The Trump administration has implemented a domestic policy that imposes a $250 Visa Integrity Fee (approximately KSh 32,500) on international travellers seeking non-immigrant visas to the United States.
This fee is in addition to existing visa costs and applies to Kenyan citizens and others requiring such visas.
The regulation is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was officially enacted on July 4.
According to the relevant homeland department, around 11 million non-immigrant visas were issued during the 2024 fiscal year.
Source: Getty Images
While countries like Australia and many in Europe benefit from the Visa Waiver Programme, allowing short-term travel to the US without a visa, recent legislative updates are expected to raise the cost of the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) to at least $40 (about KSh 5,160), nearly double the current fee.
How much will US visa cost Kenyans?
The newly introduced surcharge is expected to significantly increase the cost of travelling to the US, especially for Kenyan applicants.
Starting October 1, 2025, the Visa Integrity Fee will be added to the standard visa charge, raising the total cost of a tourist or business visa from $185 (KSh 24,000) to roughly KSh 56,500.
The increase will be even greater for employment-based visa categories, which already carry higher fees.
The fee must be paid upon visa issuance, with no waivers or exemptions available.
Although a refund option exists, it will only apply to travellers who fully adhere to visa conditions and leave the US promptly after their visa expires.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
