Anyone travelling on a New Zealand passport must hold an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before entering Kenya. A standard eTA permits one entry, costs USD 30, and is usually processed within 72 hours. File your application online through the Kenyan government eTA portal, etakenya.go.ke, no later than two weeks ahead of your trip.
This guide walks through the Kenya visa for New Zealand citizens from beginning to end: the documents, the costs, the application itself and what to do when something goes wrong. It’s an independent travel resource rather than a government site. No payments are collected and nothing is filed on your behalf here, so always confirm the details on the government portal before you travel.
Kenya Visa for New Zealand Citizens: eTA Required
The Directorate of Immigration Services lists New Zealand among the nationalities that must obtain an eTA, and it does not appear on the exemption list. One application is required from every visitor, infants and children included.
This semi-automated system establishes whether you qualify to travel to Kenya. For most travellers it has taken the place of the traditional visa, which means holders of a NZ passport need an approved eTA in hand before their journey begins. Standard, transit and multi-entry versions are all available.
Approval of an eTA does not by itself settle the question of entry. That call belongs to an immigration officer at the border when you arrive. Also consult the requirements for visas and entry to Kenya, along with information on who requires a Kenyan visa.
Documents and Passport Requirements
Have all of this ready before you open the application, since most items get uploaded in a single session.
Core required documents
- Passport biodata page – a photograph or scan in JPG, PNG or PDF format. Your passport must have one blank page and remain valid for at least six months.
- Selfie or passport-type photo – in JPG, PNG or WEBP, or captured with your webcam or phone camera.
- Consent or commitment letter – JPG, PNG or PDF. This document is mandatory.
- Contact details – a phone number and an email address.
- Travel itinerary – covering your arrival and departure.
- Confirmation of a booking for accommodation.
- Payment method – a debit or credit card to cover the fee.
An earlier eTA or visa is not compulsory, and travel health insurance now belongs on that list as well.
Additional documents by travel purpose
- Business trip: a letter of invitation from the company, along with a copy of its registration.
- Family visit: an invitation letter from your host, plus their passport, ID, alien card or entry permit.
- Medical travel: a hospital referral letter.
- Conference: a participation or invitation letter.
- Employment: your contract document. Resettlement: the relevant supporting documents.
- Vaccination or test result certificates, where you have them.
Mandatory travel health insurance
According to a Ministry of Health notice displayed during the application, every traveller must hold valid inbound travel health insurance issued under the IRA. The requirement stems from Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. Within the application you can verify your insurance status or arrange cover, and no minimum cover amount is specified there.
Further reading: passport requirements for Kenya, additional entry requirements and health and vaccinations.
Costs and Processing
Choosing expedited handling costs an extra USD 100 on top of the standard fee and is processed right away.
| eTA type | Fee | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | USD 30 | One entry into Kenya |
| Transit eTA | USD 20 | Transit flights through Kenya |
| One Year Multi-Entry eTA | USD 300 | Multiple entries over one year |
| Five Year Multi-Entry eTA | USD 185 | American nationals only, so not for NZ passports |
Routine processing takes roughly three business days, although the Directorate points out that verification can stretch it further. Diplomats pay nothing for a standard eTA, though they can still pay for faster service.
To track your file, click the “Check Status” button on the portal homepage and type in the reference number you received by email. Additional answers can be found in the FAQ about the Kenya eTA and visa.
Step-by-Step eTA Application
The whole process takes place on a single website or within a single app.
Before you start
Have your itinerary and booking confirmation to hand, scan the biodata page of your passport, and choose a clear photo. The Directorate advises submitting your file at least two weeks before departure.
Application steps
Visit the portal or app
Visit etakenya.go.ke or install the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” app. No other channels are authorized.
Start your application
Hit “Apply Now” and choose an individual application, or “Apply as a Group” when you’re travelling together.
Review the notices
Go through the notices, among them the travel health insurance requirement.
Enter your details
Fill in your passport and personal details with care.
Upload documents
Upload the passport page, your photo and the consent letter.
Add travel details
Add your itinerary along with the accommodation confirmation.
Complete insurance check
Finish the insurance check.
Pay the fee
Pay USD 30, or USD 130 for expedited handling.
Submit and confirm
Submit the form and look out for the confirmation email containing your reference number.
After submission
Most decisions come back inside 72 hours. Once approved, either print the PDF, store it on your phone, or keep it inside the app. Travel is only possible after Kenya has approved your application. Should you be refused, write to [email protected]. Help is also available at [email protected], on WhatsApp +254 110 922 064, or by calling +254 717 436 070. Also refer to the process for applying for the Kenya eTA, as well as the rules on customs and overstaying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can New Zealand citizens get a Kenya visa on arrival?
No. According to the Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services, an approved eTA must be in place before your journey starts. Take care of it before you check in for your flight.
What is the cost of a Kenya visa for citizens of New Zealand?
A single-entry standard eTA costs USD 30. For transit the fee is USD 20, while a one-year multi-entry eTA comes to USD 300. With expedited processing, the standard fee totals USD 130.
Are children and infants from New Zealand required to have a Kenya eTA?
Yes. According to the portal, every visitor, infants and children included, needs an approved eTA before travelling. Each child is covered by a separate application, and choosing “Apply as a Group” keeps those files linked.
Is it possible for another person to submit a Kenya eTA application on my behalf?
Yes, provided your details are supplied and the person states at the end that they are applying on your behalf. Only the government website or the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” app should be used.
What occurs if my application for a Kenya eTA is rejected?
For the time being, travel to Kenya isn’t possible. The Directorate advises emailing [email protected] to explain your circumstances.
In what way can I verify the status of my Kenya eTA application?
Click “Check Status” on the portal homepage, then enter the reference number sent to your email. After approval, you can print the attached PDF, save it on your device, or keep it in the mobile app.
Does an approved eTA guarantee entry into Kenya?
No. As the Directorate makes clear, an eTA is not final authority to enter, and admissibility is decided at the point of entry. Keep your passport and supporting documents with you, and be prepared to answer questions about your stay.
For New Zealand citizens, is travel health insurance required for a Kenya visa?
Yes. Under Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026, a Ministry of Health notice inside the application demands valid inbound travel health insurance issued under the IRA. Your status can be checked, or cover arranged, while you complete the application.
Sources and verification
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility – the country list and available eTA types (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA FAQs – how to apply, which documents are needed, fees and tracking (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application – Notices step – the Ministry of Health notice on travel health insurance (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application – required documents step – passport page, photograph and accepted file formats (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA General Information – who is exempt, documents required and processing times (verified 2026-10-13)
- How to Apply · Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization – who must obtain an eTA and who is exempt (verified 2026-10-13)
