Foreign Embassies & High Commissions in Kenya 2026

Nairobi is a major diplomatic hub in East Africa, hosting over 80 foreign embassies and high commissions. Whether you need a visa appointment, consular assistance, or trade information, this directory covers the most-visited foreign missions in Kenya.

Most foreign embassies in Kenya are located in the Gigiri, Kilimani, and Upper Hill districts of Nairobi. Visa appointments often require advance booking through VFS Global or the embassy's own portal.

United States Embassy in Kenya

Address

United Nations Avenue, Gigiri
P.O. Box 606, Village Market, 00621 Nairobi

Phone

+254 20 236 3000

Website

ke.usembassy.gov

Visa Appointments

Book US visa appointments at ustraveldocs.com/ke

Hours

Mon-Thu: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Fri: 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Services

Visa services, American citizen services, emergency assistance, trade

British High Commission in Kenya

Address

Upper Hill Road
P.O. Box 30465, 00100 Nairobi

Phone

+254 20 284 4000

Website

gov.uk/world/kenya

Visa Appointments

UK visas via VFS Global: vfsglobal.co.uk/ke

Hours

Mon-Thu: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Fri: 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Indian High Commission in Kenya

Address

Jeevan Bharati Building, Harambee Avenue
P.O. Box 30074, 00100 Nairobi

Phone

+254 20 222 2566

Website

hcinairobi.gov.in

Visa Appointments

Indian visa via BLS International: blsindia-kenya.com

Hours

Mon-Fri: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

South Africa High Commission in Kenya

Address: Roshanmaer Place, Lenana Road, Kilimani, Nairobi
Phone: +254 20 282 7100
Website: dirco.gov.za/nairobi
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM (consular), 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (general)

Ethiopian Embassy in Kenya

Address: State House Avenue, Nairobi
Phone: +254 20 272 3027
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (consular)

Japanese Embassy in Kenya

Address: Upper Hill Road, Nairobi
Phone: +254 20 289 8000
Website: ke.emb-japan.go.jp
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Chinese Embassy in Kenya

Address: Woodlands Road, off Ngong Road, Nairobi
Phone: +254 20 272 6851
Website: ke.china-embassy.gov.cn
Visa Appointments: Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) Nairobi
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (consular)

French Embassy in Kenya

Address: Peponi Gardens, off Peponi Road, Westlands, Nairobi
Phone: +254 20 277 8000
Website: ke.ambafrance.org
Schengen Visa: Via VFS Global TLS Contact
Hours: Mon-Thu: 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM; Fri: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

German Embassy in Kenya

Address: 113 Riverside Drive, Nairobi
Phone: +254 20 262 2111
Website: nairobi.diplo.de
Schengen Visa: Via VFS Global
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Tips for Visiting Foreign Embassies in Nairobi

  • Book visa appointments online - most embassies require prior appointment booking through VFS Global or their own portals
  • Arrive early - security screening at embassies (especially US and UK) can take 15-30 minutes
  • No electronics - many embassies prohibit mobile phones and laptops inside the building
  • Bring exact documents - check requirements on the embassy website before your appointment
  • Pay fees in advance where required - some embassies require bank-paid visa fees before the appointment
  • Public transport: Uber/Bolt is the safest way to reach embassies in Gigiri and Upper Hill

Frequently Asked Questions

For visa applications, yes - virtually all embassies require advance appointment booking (usually through VFS Global or the embassy website). For general enquiries, some embassies accept walk-ins during consular hours, but calling ahead is recommended.

Most foreign embassies are in three areas: Gigiri (near the UN complex - US, Japan), Upper Hill (UK, Germany), and Kilimani/Westlands (France, South Africa, India). The diplomatic area around State House also hosts several missions.

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