Travellers holding a Japanese passport must obtain an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before setting off for Kenya. The standard eTA costs USD 30, covers a single entry, and is normally processed within 72 hours. Submit your request through the Kenya eTA portal at etakenya.go.ke no later than two weeks before departure.
Below you will find the documents, the fees, and what happens once you have submitted everything. This is an independent informational page and not a government site. We neither file applications nor collect payments, so please verify the details on the official Kenya eTA portal before you travel.
Is a Kenya visa required for Japanese Citizens?
Yes. Japan appears on the eTA-required list, which means a Kenya visa for Japanese citizens comes in the form of an eTA rather than a sticker placed in the passport. Holders of Japanese passports cannot claim an exemption.
As the Directorate of Immigration Services explains, the eTA is a semi-automated system used to determine eligibility. It does not guarantee admission, since immigration officers make that call when you land.
Every visitor must hold an approved eTA, infants and children included. Each child requires a separate one, filed before boarding.
You can read more on our pages covering who needs a visa for Kenya and Kenya visa entry requirements.
Kenya Entry Requirements for Japanese Travelers
Have the following ready before you start filling in the form:
- Valid passport valid for at least 6 months, with one blank page
- A selfie or a photo in passport style
- Contact information: an email address and a phone number
- A travel itinerary showing your arrival and departure
- Confirmation of your accommodation booking
- A credit or debit card to cover the fee
Two points tend to catch applicants off guard. Since no official source mentions a proof-of-funds requirement or an onward ticket rule, bank statements are not needed. A travel itinerary, on the other hand, is required, while a return ticket is not.
Mandatory Travel Health Insurance
According to a notice from the Ministry of Health, every traveller to Kenya has to hold valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, as set out in Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. You can check your cover or arrange it while completing the application. Neither a minimum cover nor a price is specified.
Extra Documents by Travel Purpose
Business travellers should add an invitation letter and a copy of the company registration. A family visit calls for an invitation letter from the host together with the host’s ID, passport, alien card, or entry permit. Conferences require an invitation or participation letter, medical travel needs a hospital referral letter, employment needs a contract document, resettlement needs supporting documents, vaccination or test certificates go in if your trip calls for them, and diplomatic travel adds a diplomatic, official or service passport plus an official letter from your country of origin or organisation.
Our guides to Kenya passport requirements and additional entry requirements have further detail.
eTA Fees and Processing Times
Although the standard eTA costs USD 30, the portal lists a number of versions:
| eTA type | What it covers | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | Entry into Kenya once | 30 |
| Transit eTA | Transit flight through Kenya | 20 |
| One-Year Multi-Entry eTA | Multiple entries over one year | 300 |
| Five-Year Multi-Entry eTA | American nationals only | 185 |
Only American nationals may choose the five-year option. Should your plans involve entering and leaving Kenya more than once, look at the one-year multi-entry eTA priced at USD 300.
As the eTA FAQs explain, standard processing takes three business days, or 72 hours, and can run longer while officers verify the details. The expedited option adds USD 100 to the cost. Filing at least two weeks before travel is what the Directorate recommends.
How to Apply for a Kenya eTA from Japan
There are only two routes for applications: etakenya.go.ke or the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app.
Visit etakenya.go.ke and hit “Apply Now”
Start your application on the official portal.
Choose the individual or group option
Select “Apply as a Group” when several passengers are travelling.
Fill in personal information and passport details
Enter all required data accurately.
Upload passport biodata page and selfie
Attach your passport biodata page along with your photo.
Add consent and commitment letter
Attach the required consent document.
Compare every field with your passport, then submit and pay
Verify all details and complete payment with a card.
Watch for receipt and payment confirmation emails
Check your inbox for confirmation messages.
Open decision email and save your eTA
Print the PDF or store it on your phone or in the app.
Tracking and Fixing Problems
On the homepage, click “Check Status” and type in the reference number you received in your confirmation email. Another person may file on your behalf, provided they enter your details and indicate that they are applying for you.
Until the Government of Kenya approves your application, you cannot travel, so avoid booking a flight for the same week. Should your request be refused, get in touch with [email protected]. If you have general questions, email [email protected], send a WhatsApp message to +254 110 922 064, or call +254 717 436 070. Our Kenya eTA FAQ covers more.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Entering a passport number that differs from the one on the biodata page. Before submitting, compare every field against your passport.
- Applying too late. Processing usually takes three business days but can stretch longer, and the Directorate advises filing at least two weeks ahead of travel.
- Paying an intermediary for the form. The only routes are etakenya.go.ke or the Kenya Travel Authorisation app, and the government fee is the only amount owed.
- Believing the eTA grants automatic entry. Whether you may enter is decided by officers at the point of entry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I apply for a Kenya visa for Japanese citizens on behalf of someone else?
Yes. Fill in that person’s information and, at the end, state that you are applying for them. Even so, every traveller must hold their own approved eTA.
Does the standard Kenya eTA for Japanese citizens allow multiple entries?
No. One entry is what the standard eTA at USD 30 permits. If your plans involve leaving and re-entering, pick the one-year multi-entry eTA at USD 300 before paying.
What is the outcome if my Kenya eTA application is rejected?
For the time being, you will not be able to travel to Kenya. Write to [email protected] to learn the details, and hold off on any non-refundable bookings until the decision arrives.
Are Japanese children and infants required to have their own eTA for Kenya?
Yes. Before the journey begins, every visitor, infants and children included, must have an approved eTA. When you travel together, use the “Apply as a Group” option, though each passenger still receives an individual approval.
While my eTA application is still being processed, can I travel to Kenya?
No. Only once the Government of Kenya approves your application may you travel. Before you go to the airport, wait for the approval email and its PDF.
Does the eTA fee include the mandatory travel health insurance?
No, the two are separate. Under Gazette Notice No. As per 11492 of 30 July 2026, every traveller requires valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA. Neither a minimum cover nor a price is stated.
What is the way to check the status of my Kenya eTA application?
Go to the eTA homepage, click “Check Status”, and enter the reference number from your confirmation email. Should nothing change after a few days, contact the support team.
Do Japanese diplomatic passport holders not have to pay the eTA fee?
Diplomats accredited to Kenya still complete an eTA, and for them a standard eTA comes at no charge, though faster service carries an extra cost. Ordinary Japanese passport holders are not covered by this waiver.
Sources and Verification
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility – the country list, the eTA types, and the fees (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA FAQs – the steps to apply, the documents, and the processing times (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA General Information – exemptions, the documents required, and the timelines (verified 2026-10-13)
- How to Apply – Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization – the passport rules, the exemption categories, and the documents by purpose (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application – Notices step – the Ministry of Health notice on inbound travel health insurance (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application – Required Documents step – the passport, the photo, and the upload formats (verified 2026-10-13)
