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US Student Visa (F-1) from Kenya: Requirements, Fees and Interview Tips (2027)

Writer: Eliud Njosh
Eliud Njosh
2 hours ago
3 min read

Most Kenyan students going to a US university or college need an F-1 student visa. You apply at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi after your school issues a Form I-20, and the interview is where most decisions are made. This guide covers the documents, fees and interview preparation for 2027 intakes.

Quick answer

  • Visa type: F-1 for academic study. Vocational programmes use the M-1.

  • Where: the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, after you complete the online DS-160 form and book an interview.

  • Government fees: SEVIS I-901 fee US$350, visa application (MRV) fee US$185 and Visa Integrity Fee US$250, US$785 in total, about KES 101,000.

  • When you pay: the SEVIS and MRV fees are paid before the interview; the US$250 Visa Integrity Fee is collected when the visa is issued.

  • The key test: you must show you can pay for your studies and that you plan to return after your course.

Step 1: Get admitted and receive your I-20

Apply to a SEVP-certified school. Once you are admitted and have shown the school your funding, it issues a Form I-20. The I-20 lists your estimated yearly cost, and the consular officer will expect your financial documents to cover at least the first year shown on it.

Step 2: Pay the SEVIS fee

Pay the US$350 SEVIS I-901 fee at fmjfee.com using the SEVIS ID on your I-20, and keep the receipt. The fee is not refundable.

Step 3: Complete the DS-160 and book your interview

  • Fill in the DS-160 carefully. Every answer must match your I-20, transcripts and financial documents.

  • List all your social media handles. The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has warned that leaving them out can lead to a refusal.

  • Pay the US$185 MRV fee and book the earliest interview slot you can. Slots fill quickly, so check often.

Step 4: Prepare your documents

  • Valid passport, at least six months beyond your planned stay

  • DS-160 confirmation page and interview appointment letter

  • Signed Form I-20 and SEVIS fee receipt

  • KCSE certificate or other academic transcripts and certificates

  • Test scores the school used (SAT, IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo)

  • Proof of funds: bank statements, sponsor letters, scholarship or loan letters

  • Evidence of ties to Kenya, such as family, property, a business or a job waiting for you

Step 5: The visa interview

The interview is usually short, often only a few minutes. The officer wants clear, confident answers to three questions: why this course and school, how you will pay, and what you plan to do after you graduate.

  • Know your course, university, city and total cost without looking at your papers.

  • Explain who is paying and how they earn that money. Large deposits made just before the interview raise questions.

  • Link your course to a real plan in Kenya or East Africa.

  • Answer in your own words. Memorised scripts are easy to spot.

Common reasons Kenyan students are refused

  • Section 214(b): the officer is not convinced you will return home after your studies.

  • Funds that don't match the I-20, or that you can't explain.

  • A weak academic fit, such as a course unrelated to your background with no clear reason.

  • Answers that differ between the DS-160, your documents and the interview.

A 214(b) refusal is not a permanent ban. You can reapply once your situation or your evidence has genuinely improved.

After you get the visa

You can enter the US up to 30 days before your programme start date. Once there, stay enrolled full-time and attend your classes. The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has warned Kenyan students that skipping classes or leaving a programme without telling the school can lead to loss of status and problems with future visas.

Get help with your F-1 application

MultiWorld helps Kenyan students choose US universities, prepare the funding documents for the I-20 and practise for the visa interview. Start with a free eligibility check or read our guide to studying in the USA from Kenya. For the money side, see how much proof of funds you need.

Fees and rules checked in November 2026. KES amounts use about KES 129 to the US dollar. Always confirm current fees on the US State Department student visa page before you pay.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a US student visa cost from Kenya?

US$785 in total, about KES 101,000: the US$350 SEVIS fee and US$185 visa application fee before the interview, plus a US$250 Visa Integrity Fee collected when the visa is issued.

How early can I travel to the US before my course starts?

First-time F-1 students can enter the US up to 30 days before the programme start date shown on their I-20.

Can I reapply after an F-1 visa refusal?

Yes. A 214(b) refusal is not a ban, but reapply only when your evidence or circumstances have genuinely improved.

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