Before setting off, the majority of people heading to Kenya must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), and standard processing costs USD 30. For more than 120 nationalities, among them travelers from the US, the UK, most EU states, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, China and South Korea, this authorization has taken the place of traditional visas, with online handling taking as long as 72 hours. On top of that, valid inbound travel health insurance issued under the IRA is compulsory for every visitor, infants and children included.
The guide you are reading is independent and informational; it is not a government website. Its purpose is to make Kenya visa requirements clearer to you before you file anything. Neither payments nor applications are handled by us. Before traveling, always double-check dates, fees and documents on the portal at etakenya.go.ke, since rules may be revised.
Requirements for a Kenya Visa: Is an eTA Necessary for You?
Indeed you do. An approved eTA must be secured before the journey to Kenya begins by citizens of Poland, the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, India, China, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Each person traveling with you, infants and children included, requires a separate one.
Eligibility to travel is assessed by the eTA, a semi-automated system. Holding an eTA does not by itself give you the final right to enter Kenya, because immigration officers decide on admissibility when you arrive at the point of entry. According to the Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services, more than 120 nationalities belong to the group that must have an eTA.
Should you want information tied to your own passport, we have separate guides for US citizens, UK citizens, Polish citizens, Canadian citizens, Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, Irish citizens, Indian citizens, Chinese citizens, Japanese citizens, South Korean citizens, Filipino citizens, Indonesian citizens, Pakistani citizens, Bangladeshi citizens, Emirati citizens and Saudi citizens. The complete list of who is exempt can be found at who needs a visa for Kenya.
Kenya eTA Types and Fees
Which eTA variant applies to you depends on the kind of trip you are making. Fees are charged per applicant.
| eTA Type | Entry | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | Single | USD 30 | Allows entry into Kenya once |
| Transit eTA | Single | USD 20 | For travelers on a transit flight through Kenya |
| One-Year Multi-Entry eTA | Multiple | USD 300 | Valid for one year |
| Five-Year Multi-Entry eTA | Multiple | USD 185 | For American nationals only |
Pressed for time? According to the eTA FAQs, expedited processing is handled immediately and adds USD 100 on top of the base fee. An East African Tourist eTA is listed on the portal as coming soon.
Documents Required for Your Kenya eTA
Passport Requirements
A minimum of six months of remaining validity and at least one empty page are required in your passport. A photo or scan of the biodata page has to be uploaded, and JPG, PNG or PDF files are accepted.
Digital Documents and Photos
Have the following ready before you begin the application:
- Passport biodata page: a photograph or scan (JPG, PNG or PDF)
- Selfie or passport-type photo: JPG, PNG or WEBP; it can also be captured with your webcam or phone camera while applying
- Consent or commitment letter: JPG, PNG or PDF
- Contact details: an email address and a phone number
- Travel itinerary: details of arrival and departure
- Accommodation booking confirmation
- Payment method: a credit or debit card
If you happen to have earlier eTA or visa documents along with other supporting paperwork, uploading them is optional. A standard eTA comes at no charge for diplomats, although faster processing may still involve a fee.
Processing Time and Application Tracking
Normally, a standard eTA application is handled within three business days, and depending on the verification process it can take longer. To leave enough time for processing, the Directorate of Immigration Services advises submitting your application no later than two weeks before you travel.
Travel only becomes possible once the Government of Kenya has approved your application. To see how your case is progressing, use the “Check Status” button found on the homepage of the eTA portal and type in the reference number that was emailed to you after submission.
When the answer is positive, an email with a PDF attachment arrives; you may print it, keep it on your phone, or store it in the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app. Should the answer be negative, write to [email protected] to learn what to do next.
How to Apply for a Kenya eTA
Visit the eTA portal
Visit etakenya.go.ke and select “Apply Now.” The “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app is another option.
Choose application type
Decide whether you are applying as an individual or as a group. If you travel as a group, pick “Apply as a Group”, though a separate eTA is still required for every passenger.
Enter personal details
Enter your personal details together with your passport information.
Attach required documents
Attach the documents that are required: the biodata page photo, a selfie and the consent letter.
Provide travel itinerary
Provide your travel itinerary (arrival and departure) as well as the details of your accommodation booking.
Review your entries
Go over every entry carefully, because mistakes can slow down processing.
Complete the submission
Complete the submission.
Receive confirmation email
A confirmation email acknowledging that your application was received will follow.
Confirm payment
After that comes an email confirming your payment.
Receive the decision
By email you will then receive the immigration officer’s decision, either an approval or a refusal.
Print or store your eTA
In case of approval, print the PDF attached to the message or store it on your device. In case of refusal, send an email to [email protected].
Another person may submit the application for you, as long as your information is provided and, at the last step, they state that they are acting on your behalf. For assistance straight from the source, the eTA team can be reached by email at [email protected], via WhatsApp at +254 110 922 064, or by phone at +254 717 436 070.
Kenya Visa Requirements: Health and Insurance
Mandatory Travel Health Insurance
Under Gazette Notice No. 11492 (Vol. CXXVIII, No. 129, 30 July 2026), valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA is compulsory for everyone traveling to Kenya. While completing the eTA application you reach a step where your insurance status can be checked or cover can be arranged. A minimum coverage amount is not stated anywhere.
Yellow Fever Vaccination
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required when you arrive from a country where yellow fever transmission is a risk, and this applies to travelers aged one year or over. For everyone aged nine months or older the CDC advises the vaccine, with the exception of people whose travel stays within the city of Nairobi, the counties of the former North Eastern Province, or most of the former Coast Province. Travelers coming directly from the US do not need the vaccine to enter.
Malaria Prevention
For travelers heading to areas below 2,500 meters in elevation, which covers every game park, the CDC advises prescription malaria medication. Central Nairobi, being highly urbanized, is an exception where anti-malarial pills are unnecessary, though protection against insect bites remains advisable. Among the suggested drugs are atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine or tafenoquine. Resistance to chloroquine has been recorded in Kenya.
Which travelers are not required to obtain a Kenya eTA?
East African Partner States
For stays not exceeding 180 days, citizens of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda may enter Kenya without an eTA.
90-Day and 60-Day Visa-Free Countries
Visits of up to 90 days without an eTA are open to nationals of 44 countries, a list that features South Africa, Ghana, Jamaica, Singapore, Malaysia, Cyprus, Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Fiji and Mauritius, among others. A further set of 28 African countries, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Cameroon included, may enter visa-free for as long as 60 days.
Transit and Special Exemptions
An eTA is not required when you transit through Kenya, arriving and departing on the same aircraft or moving to another aircraft, provided you stay within the airport precincts. Exemptions also cover ship passengers who remain on board, crew members named on the manifest, and owners of private aircraft stopping only for refuelling. The same applies to holders of Kenya Permanent Residence or a valid Work Permit. Holders of laissez-passer documents from various international organizations (the UN, African Union, World Bank and others) traveling on official business are exempt too. Specific exemptions exist for diplomatic passport holders from Iran (30 days), Turkey (90 days), Brazil (90 days), India (90 days) and China (30 days).
On an ordinary passport, none of the 17 nationalities discussed on this page can use these exemptions. The complete exempt list is available at who needs a visa for Kenya.
Common Mistakes with Kenya Visa Requirements
- Turning to unofficial application websites: Applications should be made only via etakenya.go.ke or the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app. According to the Directorate of Immigration Services, these are the channels through which eTA applications must be completed.
- Applying too late: Standard processing may last up to 72 hours and sometimes longer. Submit your application at least two weeks ahead of departure.
- Forgetting the mandatory insurance: Valid inbound travel health insurance under the IRA is obligatory for every traveler, no matter the nationality or how long the stay lasts.
- Skipping the eTA for children: An individually approved eTA is needed by every traveler, infants and toddlers included. Children are not covered by a parent’s application, so do not assume otherwise.
- Assuming the eTA guarantees entry: An approved eTA does not guarantee admission. The final decision rests with immigration officers at the point of entry.
- Entering incorrect data: Check every field twice before you submit. Wrong travel dates or a mismatched passport number may lead to delays or even a refusal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Kenya eTA cost?
For a standard single-entry eTA the fee is USD 30. A one-year multi-entry eTA comes to USD 300, and a five-year multi-entry eTA is available to American nationals for USD 185. A transit eTA is priced at USD 20. According to the eTA eligibility page, expedited processing adds USD 100 on top of any of these amounts.
What is the duration of Kenya eTA processing?
Processing usually takes three business days (72 hours), though verification procedures can extend it. The Directorate of Immigration Services suggests filing your application no later than two weeks before departure. An additional USD 100 buys expedited processing, which is carried out right away.
Is it possible for another person to apply for a Kenya eTA for me?
It is possible. Another person may file the application for you, provided your personal information is supplied and, in the final step, they make clear that the application is being made on your behalf. Every traveler still gets an individual eTA of their own. Families or groups arranging a trip together will find this useful.
Which Kenya visa requirements apply in relation to travel health insurance?
Valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA is mandatory for all travelers to Kenya, in line with Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. During the eTA application there is a step where your insurance status can be checked or coverage arranged. Although no minimum coverage amount is given on the portal, the insurance itself cannot be skipped.
Are infants and children required to have a separate Kenya eTA?
They do. Before the journey to Kenya begins, an individually approved eTA is required by every visitor, infants and children of any age included. A separate application for each child should be filed by the parents or guardians. During the process, one person is able to submit applications on behalf of others.
If my Kenya eTA application is rejected, what action should I take?
A refusal means you cannot travel to Kenya at that point. Reach the support team at [email protected], describe your situation, and ask for the reasons behind the denial and the options available to you.
Is it permissible for me to travel to Kenya before my eTA has been approved?
You are not. Permission to travel comes only after the Government of Kenya approves your application. Wait until the approval email with the PDF arrives before you set off for the airport.
Which Kenya visa requirements apply to passengers in transit?
No eTA is needed when you arrive and leave Kenya on the same aircraft, or transfer to another flight, and never step outside the airport precincts. A standard eTA becomes necessary if you intend to leave the airport. Those who want one can obtain a dedicated transit eTA for USD 20.
Sources and Verification
- Republic of Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation – Portal – homepage of the portal, country list, eTA types, contact details (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – application procedure – statement on the eTA requirement, list of exemptions, passport validity rules (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA questions and answers – processing timelines, fees, steps of the application, applications made by third parties (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – general eTA information – who may apply, every exemption category, processing advice (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA portal – eligibility – eTA variants, fees, eligibility by country, contact details (verified 2026-10-13)
- Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya – overview of services, contact details (verified 2026-10-13)
- US CDC – Travelers’ Health: Kenya – advice on yellow fever, malaria prevention, vaccination guidance (verified 2026-10-13)
- WHO – International Travel and Health: Vaccination Requirements Country List – yellow fever requirements by country (verified 2026-10-13)
