Most first-time Kenya visitors leave the visa step too late. Not because it is complicated, but because no one told them the rules changed. Kenya no longer issues traditional visas. Since January 2024, every international visitor needs an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) approved before boarding their flight. The good news: it costs $34, takes about three working days, and the whole thing is done online.
Here is exactly what you need, how to apply, and when.
Q: Do I need a visa to visit Kenya?
A: Kenya no longer issues traditional visas. Most international tourists instead apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) online before travel. Citizens of EAC member states and many African nationals are exempt. Visa on arrival is not available.
What is the Kenya eTA and why it replaced the old Visa
The Electronic Travel Authorisation is a digital pre-travel permit linked to your passport. It replaced Kenya’s eVisa system in January 2024, following a presidential directive to simplify entry for all nationalities. You apply before you leave home, receive approval by email, and present it at check-in and at the immigration desk on arrival.
The eTA is not a Visa in the traditional sense. It does not guarantee entry. That determination is made by an officer from the Kenya Immigration Department at the port of arrival, most commonly Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi or Moi International Airport in Mombasa. What the eTA does is clear you for boarding and confirm that Kenya’s immigration system has pre-screened your travel details.
Who needs a Kenya eTA and who is exempt
You need an eTA if you hold a passport from:
- The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most European countries
- Most Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American countries
- All other nationalities not listed as exempt below
You do not need an eTA if you are:
- A citizen of an EAC partner state: Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, or South Sudan (entry stamp issued on arrival at JKIA or any other port of entry)
- A holder of a valid Kenya permanent residence certificate, work permit, or pass endorsed in your passport
- Travelling on a diplomatic or official passport on official duties (fee-exempt; some diplomatic passport holders still apply through the portal)
- A transit passenger who will not leave the airport or seaport precinct
What the Kenya eTA costs
The standard processing fee is $32.50, plus a bank fee of $1.59, bringing the total to $34.09. Payment is by credit or debit card through the official portal at time of application. The fee is non-refundable, including if your application is denied. If you are applying late, do not panic. Choose expedited processing and double-check all your documents before submitting. A small mistake on a rushed application is more costly than the expedited fee.
Kenya eTA vs East Africa Tourist Visa: which one should you choose?
Most tourists need only the standard Kenya eTA. The East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) is designed for travellers who want to move between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda on a single itinerary without applying for separate authorisations at each border.
A Kenya-Tanzania combination, one of the most popular East Africa safari itineraries, works on a standard Kenya eTA. The eTA allows re-entry into Kenya from Tanzania while it remains valid. The EATV does not cover Tanzania. That distinction is worth knowing before you pay the higher fee.
What documents you need for your Kenya eTA application
Have these ready before starting.
The Kenya Immigration Department portal requires everything in one submission.
- Valid passport with at least 6 months validity from your planned arrival date, and at least one blank page for the entry stamp
- Passport bio-data page scan: a clear digital copy of the photo and details page
- Passport-style photo: recent, taken against a plain background, uploaded via webcam or photo file
- Confirmed accommodation proof: hotel booking confirmation, safari lodge itinerary, or an invitation letter if staying with a host
- Return or onward flight ticket: confirmation showing you are leaving Kenya
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate: required only if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever-endemic country; not required for most European, North American, or Asian travellers
Travelling with children? Every traveller, including infants, requires their own individual eTA. The parent or legal guardian completes the application on their behalf. Apply for all family members at the same time to avoid delays.
How to apply for the Kenya eTA: step by step
The Kenya eTA application process is fully online. Total time to complete a clean submission is under 20 minutes.
- Go to the official portal: etakenya.go.ke. The Kenya Embassy Washington also links directly at kenyaembassydc.org/eta. Do not use any other website.
- Create an account with a valid email address.
- Start a new eTA application and fill in your personal details, passport information, and travel dates.
- Enter your accommodation address in Kenya. First night is sufficient. A safari lodge booking confirmation works well here.
- Upload your passport bio-data page scan and your photo.
- Provide your return or onward flight details.
- Pay the $34.09 fee by credit or debit card.
- Receive email confirmation. Check your inbox and spam folder.
- Wait for approval. Standard processing by the Kenya Immigration Department takes up to 3 working days.
- Download and save your eTA approval PDF. Print a copy or save it to your phone. Airlines check your eTA before boarding flights to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi or any other Kenyan entry point.
If your application is denied, contact support@etakenya.go.ke. The eTA does not guarantee entry; the final decision rests with the Kenya Immigration Department officer on arrival.
How long the eTA is valid and what it allows
Once issued, the eTA is valid for 90 days. You must enter Kenya within those 90 days; otherwise it becomes invalid. From the day you arrive, you may stay for up to 90 days, as determined by the Kenya Immigration Department officer at the port of entry.
The eTA is a single entry. However, if you temporarily leave Kenya to visit another EAC partner state, including Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, or South Sudan, your eTA remains valid for re-entry into Kenya provided it has not expired. Leaving for any country outside that group requires a new Kenya eTA application to re-enter.
Overstay Warning: Kenya takes visa compliance seriously. Overstaying by even a single day results in a $200 fine on the spot, with potential deportation and future travel restrictions. Apply for an extension at the nearest Kenya Immigration Department office before your current stamp expires.
Common Kenya eTA mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake 1: Applying through a third-party website
Several unofficial websites mimic the Kenya eTA portal and charge inflated fees. Some do not submit your application at all. The only legitimate portal is etakenya.go.ke, operated by the Kenya Immigration Department. If the URL is anything else, close it.
Mistake 2: Applying without confirmed accommodation details
The Kenya eTA application requires a hotel or lodge booking reference. Applying without it means starting over once you have the information. Confirm your safari itinerary first, then apply.
Mistake 3: Assuming visa on arrival is still available
It is not. Kenya discontinued visa on arrival when the eTA system launched in January 2024. Arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) or any other entry point without a pre-approved eTA, unless exempt, means being denied boarding before you reach Kenya.
Mistake 4: Forgetting to apply for children
Every traveller, including infants, requires their own eTA. Parents complete the Kenya eTA application on behalf of minors. Easy to overlook when managing a complex family itinerary.
Mistake 5: Not downloading the approval PDF
Save the approval to your phone and print a copy. Airlines check eTA status before boarding flights to JKIA and other Kenyan entry points. A screenshot of an email confirmation is not always accepted. Download the official PDF from etakenya.go.ke.
Key takeaways
- Kenya replaced traditional visas with the eTA system in January 2024; there is no visa on arrival
- Most international tourists apply at etakenya.go.ke and pay $34.09; all applications go through the Kenya Immigration Department
- Standard processing takes up to 3 working days; apply at least 7 days before travel
- Apply the moment your safari itinerary and accommodation are confirmed, not the week before departure
- EAC citizens are fully exempt; most African nationals gained exemption from May 2025
- The eTA covers one entry; re-entry from EAC countries including Tanzania is permitted on the same eTA while valid
- Maximum stay: up to 90 days from arrival; extendable to 180 days total through the Kenya Immigration Department
- For Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda combined: the East Africa Tourist Visa ($100) is more efficient than three separate eTAs
- Always confirm your exemption status on the official portal if in doubt
Visa requirements and fees are subject to change. Always verify current Kenya entry requirements at etakenya.go.ke or with your nearest Kenya embassy before travel. This article was last updated May 2025.
Frequently asked questions about Kenya visa and entry requirements
Q: Do I need a visa to enter Kenya as a tourist?
A: Kenya no longer issues traditional tourist visas. Since January 2024, most international tourists apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) online through etakenya.go.ke. The Kenya eTA replaced both the old eVisa and the visa on arrival systems.
Q: How much does the Kenya eTA cost?
A: The standard Kenya eTA fee is $34.09 total: $32.50 processing fee plus a $1.59 bank charge. Payment is by card at the official portal. The fee is non-refundable.
Q: How long does the Kenya eTA take to process?
A: Standard processing by the Kenya Immigration Department takes up to 3 working days. Apply at least 7 days before travel to allow buffer time. Expedited processing is available at additional cost.
Q: Can I get a Kenya visa on arrival?
A: No. Visa on arrival was discontinued in January 2024. All eligible visitors must have an approved eTA before boarding. Arriving at JKIA or any other Kenyan entry point without one, unless exempt, means being denied boarding.
Q: What happens if my Kenya eTA application is denied?
A: You will not be permitted to travel. Contact the Kenya Immigration Department at support@etakenya.go.ke for details and assistance. Do not attempt to travel without an approved eTA.
Q: Do children need their own Kenya eTA?
A: Yes. Every traveller including infants requires an individual approved eTA. Parents or legal guardians complete the application on behalf of minors under 18. Apply for all family members together.
Q: Can I extend my stay in Kenya beyond 90 days?
A: Yes. Apply for an extension at the nearest Kenya Immigration Department office before your current stamp expires. The maximum total stay is 180 days.
Q: Is it safe to use a third-party website for the Kenya eTA?
A: No. Apply only at etakenya.go.ke, the official portal operated by the Kenya Immigration Department. Third-party sites charge extra fees and some do not submit applications at all.
