Filipino travellers must hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before boarding a flight to Kenya. Expect to pay USD 30 for the standard tourist eTA, which is normally processed within 72 hours. A passport with at least six months of validity and valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance are also required.
Below you’ll find the full Kenya visa process explained for Philippine citizens. This is an independent information page rather than a government website, and it cannot submit anything on your behalf. The only places to apply are etakenya.go.ke and the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” app, so check the fees there before you travel.
Are Philippine citizens required to obtain a Kenya eTA?
Correct. A Philippine passport doesn’t grant visa-free entry, since the Philippines appears on the portal’s list of nationalities required to hold an eTA. According to the Directorate of Immigration Services, every visitor, infants and children included, must have an approved eTA before the journey begins.
A single tourist entry is what the standard eTA permits. Those who merely change planes and remain airside might not need one.
Approval of an eTA isn’t the last word, because the decision at the border belongs to immigration officers. Have your travel itinerary and accommodation booking confirmation ready to show.
Required documents for the Kenya eTA
Collect these before opening the application, since most of them are uploaded during a single session. One blank page and at least six months of remaining validity are required in the passport.
- The biodata page of your passport, scanned as JPG, PNG or PDF.
- A selfie or passport-type photo in JPG, PNG or WEBP, or one taken with your phone or webcam.
- Your contact details, meaning an email address and a phone number.
- A travel itinerary showing your arrival and departure.
- Confirmation of your accommodation booking.
- A consent or commitment letter that has been signed and uploaded in JPG, PNG, or PDF format.
Health cover is compulsory. As a Ministry of Health notice inside the application explains, every traveller must hold valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, in line with Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. Policy status can be checked through the portal, though no minimum cover and no price are stated.
Business travellers must add an invitation letter from the company plus a copy of its registration. For a family visit, an invitation from the host is needed, along with their ID, passport, alien card or entry permit. Hospital referral letters or participation letters apply to medical and conference trips.
Proof of funds appears nowhere in the government guidance.
Kenya eTA fees and processing times
Set aside USD 30 for the standard single-entry eTA. Standard processing takes as long as 72 hours, which equals three business days. Travellers in a hurry can get immediate processing for an additional USD 100.
Other categories exist as well: a transit eTA at USD 20 and a one-year multi-entry eTA at USD 300. Only American nationals can obtain the five-year multi-entry version.
| eTA type | Fee | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | USD 30 | One entry, tourism |
| Transit eTA | USD 20 | Short stopovers in Kenya |
| One-year multi-entry | USD 300 | Several trips in a year |
| Expedited service | USD 30 plus USD 100 | Urgent departures |
Even with the fast option, the Directorate advises applying at least two weeks before departure, as verification can take longer than expected.
Step-by-step Kenya eTA application process
Everything is filed online or through the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” app.
Open etakenya.go.ke and select “Apply Now”
Go to the portal and begin your application.
Pick individual or group
Each passenger still needs an approved eTA of their own.
Fill in your personal and passport details
Compare every field with the biodata page.
Upload the documents, then submit and pay
Pay with a credit or debit card.
Watch your inbox for confirmations
Follow progress through “Check Status” with your reference number.
Once the approval PDF arrives, print it or store it in the mobile app
Keep your approved eTA accessible for travel.
Hold off on booking a non-refundable flight until the approval email lands. Another person may apply for you, provided your own details are entered and the form states that they are applying on your behalf.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying too late. A last-minute submission leaves no room to absorb verification delays.
- Skipping the health insurance. The policy has to be valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, so arrange it before opening the form.
- Entering passport information manually. A swapped digit or an incorrect expiry date can slow your application down. Copy every field straight from the biodata page.
- Using a lookalike website. Applications are accepted only at etakenya.go.ke and in the official app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Kenya visa for Philippine citizens cost?
You pay USD 30 for the standard single-entry eTA at submission. A transit eTA is priced at USD 20, the one-year multi-entry eTA at USD 300, while immediate processing costs USD 100 extra.
How long does processing take for a Kenya visa for Philippine citizens?
Three business days, meaning 72 hours, is enough for most applications. Because verification sometimes takes longer, submit at least two weeks ahead or pay the USD 100 for immediate processing.
Is it possible for me to submit a Kenya eTA application for a different Filipino traveller?
Yes, you can. Fill in the form with that traveller’s own information and indicate that you are applying on their behalf. Approval emails are sent to the contact details you enter, so use an address the traveller can reach.
Are Filipinos entering Kenya required to have Inbound Travel Health Insurance?
It is. A Ministry of Health notice requires every traveller to hold valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, per Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. Policy status can be verified in the portal.
In what way can I verify the status of my Kenya eTA application?
Use “Check Status” on the homepage at etakenya.go.ke, then type in the reference number that was emailed to you after applying. The reference number sent to your email once you applied is what you enter.
What actions should I take in the event that my Kenya eTA application is rejected?
Travel isn’t possible while the refusal stands. Write to [email protected], describe your situation and ask for the reasons.
Are Filipino infants and children required to have their own eTA for Kenya?
Yes, they do. Infants and children fall under the same rule, so every child needs an approved eTA before departure. When several people are travelling, begin with “Apply as a Group”.
If my travel plans are urgent, is it possible to have my Kenya eTA processed more quickly?
Indeed. Choosing the expedited option brings immediate processing for an additional USD 100, charged on top of the USD 30 fee.
Sources and verification
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA: How to Apply – the documents you must provide, passport validity and exemption rules (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility – the country lists plus eTA categories and their fees (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA FAQs – the application steps, status tracking, group and third-party submissions (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA General Information – processing times, exemptions and the documents required per travel purpose (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 – accepted file formats for the passport page, the photo and the consent letter (verified 2026-10-13)
