Anyone travelling on an Irish passport has to hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before setting off for Kenya. A standard eTA is priced at USD 30, permits a single entry, and normally takes about three business days to process. Applications can only be filed through the Kenya eTA portal at etakenya.go.ke.
If you carry an Irish passport and want the Kenya visa for Irish citizens arranged without guesswork, this guide is for you. The page is independent and informational, and it is not a government site. We neither collect payments nor submit anything on your behalf. Before you travel, always double-check the details on the portal.
Kenya Visa for Irish Citizens: Is an eTA Necessary?
Yes. Ireland is included among the countries whose citizens require an eTA, so your Irish passport does not bring any exemption. Ireland is named on the Kenya eTA portal as a country requiring an eTA, and it features on neither the 90-day nor the 60-day exemption lists.
The requirement applies to everybody, infants and children included. According to the Directorate of Immigration Services, every visitor has to hold an approved eTA before the journey begins. For most travellers, the eTA has taken the place of the old visa route.
Bear one thing in mind: approval of an eTA does not guarantee that you will be let in. Whether you are admitted is decided by immigration officers at the border.
Required Documents and Health Insurance
Have the following ready before you start filling in the form.
- Valid passport with six months’ validity remaining at minimum, plus one blank page
- A selfie, or a photo in passport style
- Contact information: an email address and a phone number
- A travel itinerary that shows your arrival and departure
- Confirmation of your accommodation booking
- A way to pay: credit or debit card
Travel health insurance has become compulsory. As stated in the Ministry of Health notice inside the application, and under Gazette Notice No. Pursuant to 11492 of 30 July 2026, every traveller is required to have valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA. Within the form you can verify your insurance status or purchase cover.
Which additional documents you need depends on the purpose of your trip: for business, an invitation letter together with a copy of the company registration; for family visits, an invitation from your host plus their ID or permit; for a conference, the invitation; and for medical travel, a referral letter from a hospital. Certificates of vaccination or test results may also be asked for.
Kenya eTA Fees and Processing Times
A standard eTA is priced at USD 30 and covers one entry. Payment is made by card at the end of the application.
| eTA type | Cost | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | USD 30 | One entry into Kenya |
| Transit eTA | USD 20 | Passing through on a flight |
| One Year Multi-Entry eTA | USD 300 | Several trips in a year |
| Five Year Multi-Entry eTA | USD 185 | American nationals only |
Standard processing can take as long as 72 hours, roughly three business days, although verification may extend it further. Should you be in a hurry, the expedited option costs an extra USD 100 and is handled immediately. Applying at least two weeks ahead of travel is what the Directorate recommends, and that is sound advice for anyone booking flights early.
Applying for a Kenya Visa for Irish Citizens: Step by Step
Before you begin, lay your documents out in front of you.
Visit the portal or launch the app
Go to etakenya.go.ke or use the Kenya Travel Authorisation app. No other channels accept applications.
Select Apply Now
Follow the instructions provided on the portal.
Fill in your details
Enter your information with care and review everything before you submit.
Submit the application
Send it off and look out for the confirmation email.
Make the payment
Pay where due and save the payment confirmation email.
Wait for the decision
The immigration officer’s decision comes to you by email.
Save your approved eTA
Print the PDF, keep a copy on your phone, or store it in the app.
If refused, seek clarification
Travel is not possible for the time being. Write to [email protected] to find out more.
Progress can be tracked by selecting Check Status on the homepage and typing in the reference number you received by email. Another person is allowed to file on your behalf, provided your details are used and they indicate that they are applying for a different traveller. Heading off as a group? Choose Apply as a Group, though every passenger still requires an eTA of their own.
You may only travel after the Government of Kenya has approved your application. If anything is unclear, send an email to [email protected], write on WhatsApp to +254 110 922 064, or phone +254 717 436 070.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Falling for a lookalike website. eTA applications are accepted only through etakenya.go.ke and the ‘Kenya Travel Authorisation’ app.
- Rushing through the form. Applicants are asked by the Directorate to ensure every piece of data is entered correctly before submitting.
- Sorting out insurance at the airport. The health cover rule covers every traveller, so arrange it before submitting, rather than the night before your flight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Kenya visa for Irish citizens cost?
A single-entry standard eTA is USD 30. The transit eTA is priced at USD 20, while a one-year multi-entry eTA comes to USD 300. For expedited processing, an extra USD 100 buys an immediate decision.
What is the processing time for a Kenya visa for Irish citizens?
Most applications are dealt with inside three business days, meaning up to 72 hours, though verification may stretch that longer. The Directorate of Immigration Services advises applying at least two weeks before departure so that delays can be absorbed.
Is it possible for another person to apply for a Kenya eTA on my behalf?
Yes. Someone else may fill in the form for you, as long as your information is entered and they state at the end that the application is being made on your behalf. Even so, you need your own approved eTA before you depart.
Are Irish children and infants required to have a Kenya eTA?
Yes. Infants and children included, every visitor must have an approved eTA before the journey starts. Travelling as a family group means choosing Apply as a Group, yet a separate application is still filed for each passenger.
Is travel health insurance required for Kenya?
Yes. Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026 requires every traveller to hold valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA. While completing the eTA application you can check the cover you already have or arrange it there and then.
What passport validity are Irish citizens required to have for Kenya?
An Irish passport must have at least six months of validity left and at least one blank page. Verify both before applying, because a passport that has expired or run out of pages will delay your eTA and your travel plans.
What occurs if my application for a Kenya eTA is rejected?
For the moment, travel to Kenya is not possible. Write to [email protected], explain your situation and ask for more details. Once you have put right whatever led to the refusal, apply again with corrected information before you rebook anything.
Am I allowed to travel to Kenya before my eTA has been approved?
No. Only once the Government of Kenya approves your application may you travel. Wait for the approval email and keep the PDF or the app copy to hand.
Sources and Verification
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility – lists of countries plus eTA categories and their fees (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA FAQs – how to apply, what documents are needed, processing and status tracking (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application – Notices step – the Ministry of Health notice about compulsory inbound travel health insurance (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application – Required Documents step – requirements covering passport, photo and supporting documents (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA General Information – exemptions, lists of documents and processing times (verified 2026-10-13)
- How to Apply – Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization – who requires an eTA, who is exempt, and what to have ready (verified 2026-10-13)
