For every person crossing into Kenya, health insurance is a must. Travel health cover from a national insurer has been part of the eTA application since 5 October 2026 for trips shorter than 12 months, as reported by the Government of Canada’s Kenya travel advice. The legal grounds come from Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026.
What follows is an independent guide to the insurance rule and the paperwork the eTA demands. We neither collect payments nor submit applications on your behalf. Head to etakenya.go.ke to apply, and review the rules posted there ahead of your trip.
Mandatory Travel Insurance for Kenya
Every traveller falls under this rule; the Ministry of Health notice you see while filling in the eTA application calls for valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA.
No price and no minimum cover amount appear in that notice, so ignore any figures quoted elsewhere when planning.
Should you already hold a policy, check that your insurer is recognised under the IRA before you count on it. If not, purchase the cover offered within the eTA system.
Onward Ticket and Proof of Funds
As far as we could tell, no Kenyan government source mentions either of them, which means neither counts as an entry requirement for Kenya.
What the application does request is a travel itinerary along with confirmation of your accommodation booking.
Required Entry Documents
An approved eTA is needed by all, babies and children included, before you set off. The items to gather are:
- A passport that remains valid for at least 6 months, with one blank page.
- A photo of yourself, either a selfie or passport-type.
- Your contact details, in other words email and phone number.
- A travel itinerary showing arrival and departure dates.
- Confirmation that your accommodation is booked.
- A way to pay, such as a credit or debit card.
A standard eTA runs USD 30 and covers a single entry. Submit your request through the eTA eligibility portal. Three working days is the usual processing time, though it may run longer. Among others, travellers from Poland, the US, the UK, Canada, India and China all need one.
There are exemptions. Up to 180 days is granted to citizens of the East African Partner States, while some other nationalities may stay 90 or 60 days without an eTA, as the How to Apply page sets out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is travel insurance mandatory for Kenya entry?
Correct. Valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA is required of every traveller, per Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. No category of visitor is exempted by that notice.
May I use the travel insurance I already possess for Kenya?
It may be possible, provided your insurer is recognised under the IRA. While completing the application, the eTA portal allows you to verify your insurance status.
Is an onward ticket required for me to get into Kenya?
No source from the Kenyan government mentions any requirement for an onward or return ticket.
Does the Kenya eTA application require evidence of funds?
No. Neither a proof-of-funds requirement nor any required amount is stated by any Kenyan government source.
What is the price of the required travel insurance for Kenya?
No price and no minimum cover amount are given in the Ministry of Health notice. The cost becomes visible to you as you go through the eTA application.
Which documents are necessary for the Kenya eTA application?
A passport with 6 months validity and one blank page, a selfie or passport-type photo, your email and phone number, a travel itinerary, a booking confirmation for your accommodation, and a payment method.
Where is it possible to apply for the Kenya eTA?
You can apply at etakenya.go.ke, which is the portal of the Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services. Three working days is the normal processing time.
Which individuals do not have to meet the Kenya eTA requirement?
Up to 180 days is available to citizens of East African Partner States. Those nationalities listed for 90 or 60 days, among them South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica, Fiji and Singapore, are not required to obtain one. Passengers transiting through an airport who stay airside are exempt as well.
Sources and verification
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility – list of countries and eTA types (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA application, Notices step – Ministry of Health notice about compulsory inbound travel health insurance (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA: How to Apply – documents needed, exemptions, and how long processing takes (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Canada – Kenya travel advice – compulsory health insurance and passport validity rules (verified 2026-10-15)
