Anyone travelling to Kenya, babies and young children included, needs an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) in hand before setting off. A standard eTA costs USD 30, is normally processed within 72 hours, and the whole application is submitted online at etakenya.go.ke.
This independent guide addresses holders of Polish, US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Irish, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, South Korean, Filipino, Indonesian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Emirati and Saudi passports. We are not a government site, we accept no payments, and we cannot submit anything on your behalf.
Who Needs a Kenya eTA, Fees and Timing
As the Directorate of Immigration Services states, every visitor must hold an approved eTA before their journey begins.
Choose the category that matches your trip. The fees below come from the eligibility page:
- Standard eTA – USD 30, valid for a single entry into Kenya.
- One Year Multi-Entry – USD 300, allowing several entries across a year.
- Five Year Multi-Entry – USD 185, open to American nationals only.
- Transit eTA – USD 20, meant for those taking a transit flight through Kenya.
Routine processing may take as long as 72 hours, and the Directorate advises submitting your request at least two weeks ahead of departure. Where time is short, an expedited option is handled immediately for an additional USD 100. For most travellers the eTA takes the place of traditional visa requirements, yet the decision on admission at the border still rests with an immigration officer.
People from the East African Partner States, along with certain other listed countries, do not need one, as our guide on who needs a visa for Kenya explains.
Documents for Your Kenya eTA Application
Have the following ready before opening the form:
- Valid passport – valid for at least six months and containing one blank page, plus a biodata page scan in JPG, PNG or PDF.
- A selfie or passport-style photo – JPG, PNG or WEBP; a webcam or phone shot is acceptable.
- Contact details – your own email address and phone number.
- Your travel itinerary together with confirmation of your accommodation booking.
- A way to pay – credit or debit card.
- Consent/commitment letter – mandatory, submitted in JPG, PNG or PDF.
An earlier eTA or visa, as well as any other supporting files, is optional. When the trip is for medical care, a conference, business or a family visit, attach the corresponding letter: a hospital referral, an invitation, or the host’s ID together with an invitation.
Kenya eTA Application Form: Step-by-Step
Applications are submitted at etakenya.go.ke or through the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app; no account is required, and the process runs through fourteen steps.
Starting the Application (Steps 1 – 4)
- Agree to the Declaration of Consent; ticking the promotional opt-in is up to you.
- Choose your country of residence, meaning where you live and pay taxes.
- Pick either Individual Application or Group Application, the latter covering up to six people.
- Upload the biodata page of your passport.
Personal and Travel Details (Steps 5 – 9)
Attach a selfie or a photo
Provide contact details
Phone number, email, address, occupation and an emergency contact. The law demands the traveller’s own valid email and phone, so using an agent’s details results in refusal with no refund.
Fill in the Trip Information section
Respond to the Travel Information questions
Financing by a third party, your country and nationality at birth, any convictions within the past five years, a previous denial of entry, marital status, and whether Kenya has been visited by you more than three times.
Complete the Customs Declaration
Required if you are carrying currency or monetary instruments valued above USD 10,000 or its equivalent in another currency.
Documents, Notices and Payment (Steps 10 – 14)
Upload the consent/commitment letter
Plus any optional items.
Confirm your details and continue
Choose your travel authorisation type
Read the Ministry of Health notice
Under Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026, valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance is mandatory.
Make the payment
After that, a receipt email and a payment confirmation arrive, followed by either approval or refusal. If approved, print the PDF or store it in the app. If refused, send a message to [email protected].
Common Mistakes and Tracking Your Application
Timing and contact details account for the majority of problems. Here are five pitfalls worth steering clear of:
- Submitting the application too late, with under two weeks left before departure.
- Giving an agent’s email or phone number rather than your own.
- Applying via unofficial websites. Applications are accepted only at etakenya.go.ke and through the official app.
- Setting off before approval has been granted.
- Overlooking the health insurance obligation set out in Gazette Notice No. 11492.
To follow your application’s progress, hit “Check Status” on the homepage and type in the reference number found in your confirmation email. Help is offered at [email protected], via WhatsApp on +254 110 922 064, or by phone on +254 717 436 070.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Kenya eTA the same as a visa?
No. For most travellers the eTA substitutes for traditional visa requirements and grants permission to travel, but whether you are admitted at the point of entry is still decided by an immigration officer.
How far in advance am I supposed to submit my application for a Kenya eTA?
Submit it at least two weeks ahead of your trip. Processing usually takes no more than three days, and a fast-track service exists. Both departure and arrival require the approved eTA.
Is it possible for a travel agent to submit my Kenya eTA application for me?
Yes, provided they fill in your details and declare that they are applying on your behalf. The email address and phone number have to belong to you; if not, the application is refused with no refund.
In what way can I verify the status of my Kenya eTA application?
Use the “Check Status” button on the etakenya.go.ke homepage and provide the reference number from your confirmation email. Once a decision is reached, an email with the approval or refusal will reach you.
Are children and infants required to have a Kenya eTA?
Yes. Each visitor, infants and children included, requires an approved eTA of their own. When travelling as a family, choose the group application option and submit one for every child.
Am I allowed to travel to Kenya prior to my eTA being approved?
No. Travel is permitted only once the Government of Kenya has approved your application. If you apply close to your departure date, look up the decision on the portal before you head to the airport.
What steps should I take in the event that my Kenya eTA application is rejected?
For the moment, travel is not possible. Write to [email protected] to learn more. Should the cause be wrong contact information or a document that was missing, ask which points you can fix before applying again.
Are holders of diplomatic passports required to pay the Kenya eTA fee?
No. Diplomats accredited to Kenya are obliged to complete an eTA, yet the standard one comes at no charge for them. If your dates are tight, you may still pay for a quicker service.
Sources and verification
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility – types of eTA, fees and the list of countries (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA FAQs – processing times, documents, status tracking and group applications (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application (individual tourist) – required documents steps – file formats for uploads and the order of steps (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA General Information – exemptions plus extra documents depending on the purpose of travel (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- How to Apply – Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) – who must obtain an eTA and the passport requirements (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Republic of Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) – government portal – applications, status checks and contact details (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
