Before boarding a flight to Kenya, travellers from China who hold ordinary passports must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Applying for the standard eTA costs USD 30, and a decision normally arrives in roughly 3 business days. Anyone carrying a Chinese Diplomatic, Official or Service passport does not need one for visits of up to 30 days.
Below you will find the Kenya visa for Chinese citizens explained step by step: which files to upload, how much you pay, where the application goes and what keeps it from being refused. This is an independent informational guide, not a government website. Applications are accepted only at etakenya.go.ke. We neither collect payments nor submit anything for you, so double-check the details on the portal before setting off.
Are Chinese citizens required to have a visa for Kenya?
Most travellers from China will need one, though what they receive is an eTA rather than a visa. Everyone entering Kenya, babies and young children included, has to hold an approved eTA before the trip begins.
As the How to Apply page explains, people travelling on Diplomatic, Official or Service passports issued by the People’s Republic of China are exempt from the eTA for stays of up to 30 days. Ordinary passport holders get no such exemption.
Even with an approved eTA, entry into Kenya is not guaranteed. The final say belongs to immigration officers, who assess each traveller at the border.
Kenya eTA fees and required documents
The standard eTA carries a USD 30 fee and covers a single entry. If you cross the border regularly, or merely pass through Kenya between flights, other choices are available.
| eTA type | Fee | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | USD 30 | One entry into Kenya |
| Transit eTA | USD 20 | Transit flight through Kenya |
| One Year Multi-Entry eTA | USD 300 | Multiple entries over one year |
| Expedited processing | USD 100 extra | Immediate handling of your application |
These fee categories are taken from the eTA eligibility page. Note that the five-year multi-entry option shown there applies solely to American nationals and is not open to Chinese passport holders.
Get the following documents together before you begin:
- A passport with at least 6 months of validity and one empty page
- A photo, either a selfie or in passport style
- An email address and a phone number where you can be reached
- A travel itinerary showing when you arrive and when you leave
- Proof of a booked place to stay
- A credit or debit card to pay with
Travel insurance is compulsory and handled separately from the eTA. A Ministry of Health notice inside the application states that every traveller must hold valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, as set out in Gazette Notice No. 11492 was published on 30 July 2026. Neither a minimum sum insured nor a price is specified in that notice.
How to apply for Kenya eTA from China
The whole Kenya eTA application process takes place online. Submit your application only through the application portal or the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app, and steer clear of any other site claiming it can file on your behalf.
Open etakenya.go.ke and select “Apply Now”
Start your application on the portal.
Enter your details
Follow the prompts shown on screen.
Review each field
The name you give has to match your passport exactly before sending it off.
Send the application
Watch for the receipt to arrive by email.
Pay by card
Save the payment confirmation email.
Wait for the immigration officer’s email
It tells you whether you have been approved or refused.
Save your approved eTA
Either print the PDF or keep it saved in the mobile app.
Another person may submit the application for you, provided they hold your details and mark the box confirming they are applying on someone else’s behalf. Heading to Kenya as a group? Choose “Apply as a Group” right at the beginning, though bear in mind that each passenger, children included, still requires an eTA of their own.
Processing time and tracking your application
According to the Directorate of Immigration Services, most applications are handled within 3 business days, or 72 hours, although verification may take longer. The advice is to apply no later than two weeks before you travel.
If time is short, opt for expedited processing at the moment of applying. It costs an additional USD 100 and is dealt with immediately.
To track your file, hit “Check Status” on the homepage and type in the reference number included in your confirmation email. Hold off on any non-refundable bookings until the approval email lands, since travel is permitted only once the Government of Kenya has approved your application.
A refusal means you cannot travel for the time being. Describe your situation in an email to [email protected] and request further details. For general enquiries, the immigration team is contactable at [email protected], via WhatsApp on +254 110 922 064, or by phone on +254 717 436 070.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a lookalike website. Applications are accepted only by etakenya.go.ke and the official mobile app. A copycat page may pocket your money and never submit a thing.
- Rushing the passport details. Check that every piece of data has been entered correctly before you submit.
- Skipping the health insurance. Inbound travel health cover is compulsory, so sort it out before submitting rather than at the airport.
- Leaving it to the last week. Standard processing can take up to 72 hours, so send your application at least two weeks in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does Kenya eTA cost for Chinese citizens?
For a single entry you pay USD 30 with the standard eTA. A transit eTA comes to USD 20, while the one-year multi-entry eTA is priced at USD 300. Choosing expedited processing means paying USD 100 more.
Are Chinese children required to have an eTA for Kenya?
Yes. Every visitor, infants and children among them, must have an approved eTA before the journey starts. A separate application is required for each child, although you can submit them together using “Apply as a Group”.
Is it possible for another person to submit a Kenya eTA application for me?
Yes. Your application can be filed by a friend, a relative or an agent, who enters your details and states that they are applying on your behalf. The portal at etakenya.go.ke is the only place they may use.
Does the Kenya eTA require travel insurance?
Yes. Under Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026, a Ministry of Health notice calls for valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA. No minimum cover or price is laid down in that notice.
Are Chinese citizens with diplomatic passports required to obtain an eTA for Kenya?
No. Travellers carrying Diplomatic, Official or Service passports from the People’s Republic of China are exempt for stays of no more than 30 days. Anyone on an ordinary passport has to apply for an eTA.
In what way can I verify the status of my Kenya eTA application?
Click the “Check Status” button on the etakenya.go.ke homepage, then enter the reference number emailed to you once the application was made.
If my Kenya eTA application is rejected, what steps should I take?
At that stage, travel to Kenya is not possible. Send an email to [email protected] describing your situation and asking for more information.
Is it possible to obtain expedited processing for the Kenya eTA?
Yes. It costs an extra USD 100 and is processed immediately. You pick this option while completing the application.
Sources and verification
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility – the country list plus eTA categories and their fees (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA FAQs – how to apply, the channels to use, processing times and fees (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA application, Notices step – the Ministry of Health notice making inbound travel health insurance compulsory (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application – Passport, Photo and Required Documents steps – the formats accepted for uploads and the document fields (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA General Information – who is exempt, which documents are needed and how long processing takes (verified 2026-10-13)
- How to Apply · Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) – passport validity rules, the exemption for Chinese diplomatic passports and the documents tourists need (verified 2026-10-13)
