Kenyans continued travelling abroad in greater numbers during the first half of 2026, with rising demand for jobs in the Middle East, international education and tourism fuelling a sharp increase in visa applications. New figures from VFS Global show visa applications from Kenya increased by 20 per cent in the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, building on a 44 per cent rise recorded in 2025 over 2024.
Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Canada remained the most sought-after destinations, while Australia and China also posted notable growth in applications. According to VFS Global, the increase reflects expanding international labour migration, overseas studies, business travel, tourism and visits to family and friends.
The strongest growth came from applications to Middle Eastern countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, which has become Kenya’s leading destination for labour migration. Although VFS Global only processes visa applications and does not issue visas, the company says applications to Gulf countries have more than doubled over the past two years.
Stephen Kubasu, General Manager for Operations at VFS Global Kenya, said the company remains focused on facilitating safe and secure travel through anti-fraud measures and efficient application services.
The trend mirrors the government’s labour export agenda, which has seen thousands of Kenyans secure employment abroad under bilateral agreements. Saudi Arabia is now home to more than 350,000 Kenyans, making it the country’s largest diaspora population outside the United States.
The Ministry of Labour recently resumed overseas recruitment under the Kazi Majuu programme after strengthening oversight following complaints of worker exploitation and fraudulent recruitment agencies. Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has maintained that labour migration remains central to Kenya’s employment strategy, while promising stronger worker protections through government-to-government agreements, improved pre-departure training and tighter regulation of recruiters.
Also Read: Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit Command Structure Unveiled
Despite the opportunities, labour migration to Gulf countries continues to raise concerns among human rights organisations over cases of contract substitution, unpaid wages, passport confiscation, abuse and recruitment scams. Authorities have repeatedly urged job seekers to use only licensed recruitment agencies.
The growing number of Kenyans working abroad has also boosted remittance flows. Central Bank of Kenya data shows the Middle East has become one of the country’s fastest-growing sources of diaspora remittances, led by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Annual remittances are expected to remain above $5 billion (Sh650 billion), although inflows from Saudi Arabia have eased following changes to its foreign worker permit system.
Beyond employment, overseas education continues to drive outbound travel, with Canada, the UK and Australia attracting large numbers of Kenyan students because of their universities, post-study work opportunities and migration pathways. Australia has also benefited from expanded scholarship opportunities and demand for skilled professionals.
Business travel and leisure tourism are further supporting the rise in visa applications as global travel continues to recover. Kenya has also experienced strong growth in inbound tourism, welcoming an estimated 7.9 million travellers in 2025, including 2.7 million international visitors and 5.2 million domestic tourists. The sector generated about Sh500 billion in revenue, while international arrivals grew by roughly nine per cent, outpacing the global average.
As international travel increases, authorities are warning of a rise in visa-related fraud. VFS Global says scammers are increasingly using fake websites, forged documents, bogus employment offers and fraudulent travel agencies to target applicants.
Kubasu urged travellers to submit applications only through official VFS Global channels, avoid intermediaries making unrealistic promises and apply well in advance.
Siddharth Mehra, VFS Global’s Chief Operating Officer for the Middle East and Africa, said fraudsters often misuse company branding and fake online platforms to deceive applicants into paying unnecessary fees. He emphasised that optional services such as form-filling assistance, courier passport delivery, SMS alerts, premium lounges and mobile application services are voluntary, transparently priced and have no influence on visa decisions or processing times.
Operating in Kenya since 2007, VFS Global currently provides visa application services for 24 governments through 25 application centres and employs around 100 Kenyans, reflecting the country’s growing role as both a regional travel hub and a key source market for international mobility.
