Before boarding a flight to Kenya, anyone travelling on an Indian passport must hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). A standard eTA carries a USD 30 fee and normally takes up to 3 business days to process; on top of that, valid inbound travel health insurance is required.
This page is independent and informational in nature. No fees are collected here, and no applications are submitted on your behalf. The only place to apply is etakenya.go.ke, where you should also review the rules ahead of your trip.
Is a Kenya eTA required for Indian citizens?
Yes. An ordinary Indian passport means you must obtain an approved eTA before setting off. According to Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services, every visitor, babies and children among them, is required to hold one, unless a listed exemption covers them. On the eligibility list, India does not appear among the exempt countries.
There is one exception worth noting. If you hold a Diplomatic, Official or Service passport issued by the Republic of India, you may enter for as long as 90 days with no eTA.
An eTA should not be treated as a guaranteed door key. Whether you are actually allowed in is decided by Kenyan authorities once you reach the border, and that check takes place at the point of entry.
Required documents for a Kenya visa for Indian citizens
Have your paperwork ready before opening the form. What the eTA portal asks for: a valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity plus one blank page, a selfie or passport-type photo, your email and phone number, a travel itinerary covering arrival and departure, confirmation of your accommodation booking, and a card to pay with.
A health rule slips past many applicants from India. Inside the application, a Ministry of Health notice states that all travellers must have valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, following Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026.
Certain trips call for extra paperwork:
- Business: a letter of invitation from the company, along with a copy of its registration.
- Family visit: an invitation letter from your host, plus the host’s ID, passport, alien card or entry permit.
- Conference: a letter of invitation or participation.
- Medical treatment: a referral letter issued by the hospital.
Two claims that get repeated often have no support in anything we can read on the government pages. Nothing there states that an onward or return ticket is mandatory, and no proof-of-funds amount is published.
Kenya eTA fees and processing times for Indians
Choose your eTA type based on how often you will cross the border, rather than how soon your flight leaves. Every figure listed here is taken from the eTA portal.
| eTA type | Cost (USD) | What it allows |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | 30 | Entry into Kenya once |
| Transit eTA | 20 | Travel on a transit flight through Kenya |
| One Year Multi-Entry eTA | 300 | Multiple entries over one year |
Under normal circumstances, processing may take as long as 72 hours, which equals three business days, and it can stretch further when officers have something to verify. For a sudden trip, expedited processing happens immediately at an additional USD 100. Immigration officials advise filing at least two weeks ahead of travel, leaving room for delays.
Heading off as a family? An approved eTA is required for every passenger, babies and children included.
How to apply for a Kenya eTA from India
The whole process is handled online, and within days you will know whether you can board. Visit https://www.etakenya.go.ke/, or use the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app. According to the Directorate of Immigration Services, applications are accepted only through those two channels.
Open the portal or the app
Click “Apply Now”.
Select application type
Choose an individual application, or “Apply as a Group” if you are filing for several passengers.
Fill in details and upload documents
Enter the traveller’s details and upload the required documents.
Pay the fee
Settle the fee using a credit or debit card.
Submit and save your reference number
Send the form off and make a note of the reference number that arrives in the confirmation email.
Check your status
Using the reference number, follow progress through the “Check Status” button on the homepage.
Read the decision email
Either print the approved PDF or store it in the mobile app.
Travel is permitted only after the Government of Kenya has approved your application. Should it be refused, you cannot travel for the time being, and the portal points you to [email protected] so you can explain your situation. A third party may file on your behalf, provided your details are accurate and they indicate that they are applying for you.
Common mistakes Indian applicants make
- Setting off before approval. Travel is permitted only after the Government of Kenya has approved your application.
- Overlooking the health insurance. The Ministry of Health notice covers every traveller to Kenya.
- Turning to a paid middleman site. Only the government portal or the app accepts applications; a commercial service might bill you for a form you could complete yourself.
- Cutting passport validity too close. A minimum of 6 months remaining plus one blank page is needed, so a passport expiring in four months will not pass.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do Indian citizens with diplomatic passports need a Kenya eTA?
No. Diplomatic, Official or Service passports issued by the Republic of India qualify for an exemption on stays of up to 90 days. That exemption does not extend to ordinary Indian passport holders, who must apply for an eTA before departure.
What is the cost of a Kenya visa for Indian citizens?
A standard eTA for a single entry costs USD 30 and is paid on the portal. The transit eTA is priced at USD 20, while the one-year multi-entry eTA comes to USD 300. Should you need a decision right away, expedited processing adds USD 100.
As an Indian citizen, is it possible for me to apply for a Kenya eTA on arrival?
No. An eTA has to be applied for ahead of entering Kenya, and travel is permitted only once the government approves your application. It cannot be arranged at the airport after you land.
For a Kenya eTA application, is travel health insurance required?
Yes. According to a Ministry of Health notice displayed during the application, every traveller to Kenya must hold valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA. This follows Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. No minimum cover amount is specified.
What is the processing time for a Kenya visa for Indian citizens?
Processing generally happens within three business days, or 72 hours, although verification may stretch that. Immigration officials suggest you apply at least two weeks ahead of travel. Expedited processing is immediate and carries an extra USD 100 charge.
Is it possible for another person to apply for a Kenya eTA on my behalf?
Yes. Someone else may submit the form for you, as long as your information is accurate and they state at the end that they are applying on your behalf. The approval or refusal emails linked to your application will still reach you.
What occurs if my Kenya eTA application is rejected?
For the time being, travelling to Kenya will not be possible. The portal recommends writing to [email protected] to report your situation and obtain further details.
In what way can I check the status of my Kenya eTA application?
Use the “Check Status” button on the eTA homepage and type in the reference number contained in the email sent after you applied. Hold on to that number; it will also be needed if you get in touch with support.
Sources and verification
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility – country lists, eTA types and fees (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA FAQs – the steps to apply, documents, processing and tracking (verified 2026-10-13)
- eTA application – Notices step – the Ministry of Health notice about compulsory inbound travel health insurance (verified 2026-10-13)
- eTA application – required documents step – passport and photo requirements plus upload formats (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA General Information – exemptions and additional documents (verified 2026-10-13)
- How to Apply · Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization – the exemption list, documents and processing time (verified 2026-10-13)
