For tourism in Kenya, travellers holding an Australian passport must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). A standard eTA comes with a USD 30 fee, permits a single entry, and is usually processed within 72 hours. Submit your request through the Kenya eTA portal at etakenya.go.ke before you board your flight.
Below you will find what to upload, how much it costs, the right moment to apply, and how to sidestep typical hold-ups. This is an independent information resource rather than a government website, and we neither file applications nor collect payments for you. Always verify the details on the official portal before setting off.
Do Australian Citizens Need a Kenya Visa?
Indeed you do. Anyone travelling on an Australian passport, babies and young children included, must hold an approved eTA before the journey begins.
Australia is absent from both the 90-day exemption list, which covers nations such as South Africa and Singapore, and the 60-day list reserved for selected African countries. These rules stem from the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules, 2025, while the Ministry of Interior and National Administration publishes the exemptions on its How to Apply page.
Travel may only take place once the Government of Kenya has approved your application. An approved eTA does not by itself grant the final authority to enter, since admissibility is decided at the point of entry, so keep your approval with you and be prepared to answer questions. Familiarise yourself with Kenya customs rules before you land. For wider background, take a look at who needs a visa for Kenya and Kenya entry requirements.
Required Documents for Your Kenya eTA
Have your paperwork ready before opening the form.
- Valid passport – valid for no less than 6 months and containing one blank page. Attach a photo or scan of the biodata page.
- Selfie or passport-type photo – in JPG, PNG or WEBP format; a webcam or a phone camera will do the job.
- Contact details – an email address and phone number that actually work.
- Travel itinerary and accommodation – the details of your arrival and departure, plus a booking confirmation for the place where you will stay in Kenya.
- Payment method – a credit or debit card.
- Consent or commitment letter – one of the standard documents required with the application.
On top of that, Kenya’s Ministry of Health demands valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, as set out in Gazette Notice No. 11492, dated 30 July 2026. A notice inside the eTA application allows you to verify your status. No minimum cover amount is specified, so arrange this before booking flights. Also check Kenya’s health and vaccination recommendations before you pack.
Neither proof of funds nor an onward ticket is named as a requirement by any official source. It’s still helpful to understand Kenya’s currency and payment methods before you arrive. Further detail sits in our passport requirements and additional entry requirements guides.
Kenya eTA Fees and Processing Times
For Australian visitors the standard tourist eTA is the relevant option: USD 30 for a single entry. The eTA eligibility page sets out the remaining choices.
| eTA type | Cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | USD 30 | Single entry into Kenya |
| Transit eTA | USD 20 | Transit flights through Kenya |
| One-year multi-entry eTA | USD 300 | Multiple entries for one year |
| Five-year multi-entry eTA | USD 185 | American nationals only |
Allow roughly three business days, meaning 72 hours, for processing, although verification may stretch that period. Choosing expedited handling costs an extra USD 100 and is processed immediately. The Directorate of Immigration Services advises applying a minimum of two weeks before travel. Once your eTA is secured, read about the best time to visit Kenya for a safari. An East African Tourist eTA is shown as forthcoming. Our application process guide has more on this.
How to Apply for Your Kenya Visa for Australian Citizens
The only channels that accept applications are etakenya.go.ke and the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app.
Head to the portal
Or launch the official mobile app.
Hit “Apply Now”
Do what the on-screen prompts tell you.
Review every field
Go over every field a second time, then send the form.
Check your inbox
Expect an application receipt and a payment confirmation.
Wait for the decision
An email will tell you whether you were approved or refused.
Save your approval
Print the PDF, download it, or store it inside the app.
Do not delete those emails. To follow your progress, click “Check Status” on the homepage and type in your reference number. Another person may apply on your behalf, provided they enter your details and tick the box stating they are applying for someone else. Heading abroad as a group? Choose “Apply as a Group,” though every passenger still requires an eTA of their own.
Should your application be turned down, write to [email protected]. For general enquiries, use [email protected], WhatsApp +254 110 922 064, or call +254 717 436 070.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying on a lookalike website. eTA applications are accepted solely by etakenya.go.ke and the official “Kenya Travel Authorisation” app.
- Inputting a passport number or date of birth incorrectly. Double-check that every piece of data is correct before you submit.
- Reserving flights prior to approval. Apply well in advance rather than betting on processing within the same week.
For more troubleshooting tips, visit our Kenya eTA and visa FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is a Kenya visa for Australian citizens required for tourism?
Correct. Holders of an Australian passport need an approved eTA before they travel, tourism included. Australia does not appear on any exemption list, so the standard procedure is what applies to you and your family.
How far in advance of travelling should I apply for my Kenya eTA?
The Directorate of Immigration Services suggests a minimum of two weeks ahead of your trip. Standard processing runs up to 72 hours, though verification may take more time. Opting for expedited processing costs an additional USD 100.
Which documents are required for Australians to obtain a Kenya eTA?
The biodata page of your passport, a selfie or passport-type photo, your contact details, a travel itinerary, confirmation of accommodation, a payment card, and a consent or commitment letter. The passport itself must be valid for at least 6 months and hold one blank page.
Is it possible to apply for a Kenya eTA through a third-party website?
No. The route for applications is etakenya.go.ke or the official “Kenya Travel Authorisation” app. Another person may apply for you there, as long as they enter your details and state that they are applying on your behalf.
What is the cost of a Kenya visa for Australian citizens?
A standard eTA is priced at USD 30 for a single entry. The transit eTA comes to USD 20, the one-year multi-entry eTA to USD 300, and the five-year multi-entry eTA at USD 185 is available to American nationals only. Expedited processing means paying USD 100 more.
In what way can I monitor the status of my Kenya eTA application?
Use the “Check Status” button on the eTA homepage and type in the reference number from your confirmation email. If you are refused, write to [email protected] to find out more.
Does an approved Kenya eTA guarantee entry?
No. An eTA does not constitute the final authority for entering Kenya, because admissibility is determined at the point of entry. Keep your approval, passport and insurance details with you, and be prepared to answer questions from immigration officers.
Are children who are travelling from Australia required to have a Kenya eTA?
Yes. Every visitor, infants and children included, requires an approved eTA. Each child must submit a separate application using their own passport. For family groups, select “Apply as a Group.”
Sources and verification
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA: How to Apply – exemption rules, the documents required and passport validity (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA General Information – how long processing takes and lists of documents (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility and eTA types – the list of countries and the fees (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA FAQs – the steps of the application and how to track it (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application – Notices step – the travel insurance notice from the Ministry of Health (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application – Required Documents step – the formats of documents and how to upload them (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
