To cross into Kenya, travellers holding a Polish passport must first obtain an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). A standard eTA carries a USD 30 fee and is normally processed within 72 hours. When applying, you will need a valid passport, a selfie, your travel itinerary, accommodation details and mandatory inbound travel health insurance. All applications are submitted through the Kenya eTA portal.
Below you will find a step-by-step walkthrough prepared by an independent publisher, not a government page. Filing and payment happen at etakenya.go.ke, and this site never submits anything on your behalf. Before setting off, always confirm the current rules on the portal.
Kenya Visa for Polish Citizens: Is One Required?
Yes. Polish nationals appear on the list of countries whose citizens are required to hold an eTA, which means visa on arrival is not available. According to the Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services, this obligation covers every traveller, infants and children included, and each person must be approved before starting the trip.
Certain nationalities are exempt from the eTA. Citizens of East African Partner States may stay up to 180 days, while nationals of selected African and Commonwealth countries get 90 or 60 days. Neither category includes Poland.
Holding an approved eTA does not automatically guarantee entry, however. The final decision on admissibility rests with border officers, so carry your documents with you.
Documents for the Kenya Visa for Polish Citizens
Have the following ready before you start filling in the form.
- A photo or scan of the passport biodata page in JPG, PNG or PDF format. Your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months and contain one blank page.
- A selfie or passport-style photograph, either in JPG, PNG or WEBP, or captured live through your webcam or phone camera.
- A consent or commitment letter, saved as JPG, PNG or PDF.
- An email address, a phone number and a credit or debit card to cover the fee.
- A travel itinerary with your arrival and departure dates, together with confirmation of your accommodation booking.
- Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, which is required by Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. Inside the eTA application a Ministry of Health notice lets you verify your cover or purchase a policy.
Depending on why you are travelling, extra paperwork may be needed. A business trip calls for an invitation letter and a copy of the company registration. Visiting family requires an invitation from your host along with their ID, passport, alien card or entry permit. For medical travel you will need a hospital referral letter; for conferences, an invitation or participation letter; and for employment, a contract. Resettlement cases call for supporting documents, and vaccination or test result certificates may be requested as well.
Since no official source mentions a proof-of-funds requirement, bank statements are not needed for the eTA itself.
Kenya eTA Fees and Processing Times
A standard eTA is priced at USD 30 and permits a single entry. Processing typically takes no more than 72 hours, yet the Directorate of Immigration Services advises submitting your application at least two weeks ahead of your flight.
| eTA type | Fee | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | USD 30 | Entry into Kenya once |
| Transit eTA | USD 20 | For transit flights through Kenya |
| One-year multi-entry eTA | USD 300 | Multiple entries over one year |
Only American nationals qualify for the five-year multi-entry eTA priced at USD 185, which means holders of a Polish passport cannot apply for it.
If you are in a hurry, an expedited option is available for an additional USD 100 and is processed immediately. Standard handling normally takes three working days and may stretch longer while officers verify the details.
Those travelling on diplomatic passports are exempt from the standard eTA fee, though they can still pay for faster service.
How to Apply for Your Kenya eTA
Applications can only be submitted via etakenya.go.ke or the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app.
Select application type
Select “Apply Now” and then pick either individual or group. Even in a group application, each passenger requires a separate eTA.
Verify health insurance
Go through the Ministry of Health notice and verify the cover provided by your travel health insurance.
Fill in passport details and upload documents
Fill in your passport details, then upload the biodata page, your selfie and the consent letter.
Provide travel details
Provide your contact details, itinerary and accommodation booking, plus any additional documents demanded by your purpose of travel.
Review your application
Review each field carefully before submitting.
Pay the fee
Pay with a credit or debit card, then wait for the receipt and the payment confirmation emails to arrive.
Receive your approval
Keep an eye out for the email with the approval or refusal. Travel is possible only once approval is granted, so print the PDF, download it or save it in the app.
To follow the progress of your file, click “Check Status” on the homepage and type in the reference number you received by email. Another person may apply on your behalf, provided your details are accurate and they indicate that they are acting for you.
If you have questions, you can write to [email protected], send a WhatsApp message to +254 110 922 064 or phone +254 717 436 070.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Falling for a lookalike website that adds extra charges. Submit your application only at etakenya.go.ke or through the app, otherwise you may end up paying twice for nothing.
- Hurrying through the passport section. An incorrect number or expiry date may lead to your application being refused.
- Postponing insurance until you reach the airport. Inbound Travel Health Insurance is compulsory.
- Applying just days before departure. Standard processing may exceed 72 hours, which makes two weeks in advance the safer choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is a Kenya visa for Polish citizens required for tourism?
Yes. Tourists from Poland must hold an approved eTA before they travel, and visa on arrival is not an option. A standard eTA is priced at USD 30, permits one entry and is normally processed within 72 hours.
Are children and infants also required to have a Kenya eTA?
Yes. Every visitor, infants and children included, must have an individually approved eTA before the journey begins, and the fee is the same for each of them.
What is the processing time for a Kenya eTA?
Most applications are handled within three business days, although verification may extend that time. For an additional USD 100, the expedited option is processed immediately.
Where are Polish citizens able to submit their application for a Kenya eTA?
The only valid channels are etakenya.go.ke and the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app. An application submitted anywhere else will not be accepted.
Is it possible for another person to apply for a Kenya visa for Polish citizens on my behalf?
Yes. Your details must be entered exactly as they appear in your passport, and whoever applies has to state that they are acting on your behalf.
What steps should I take in the event that my Kenya eTA application is rejected?
As long as a refusal stands, you cannot travel. Contact [email protected] to learn the reasons behind the decision, then address the problem and submit a new application.
Is travel health insurance a requirement for entry into Kenya?
Yes. According to a Ministry of Health notice displayed in the application, every traveller must hold valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, as set out in Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026.
As a Polish citizen, am I able to obtain a multiple-entry Kenya eTA?
Yes, a one-year multi-entry eTA is available for USD 300. The five-year option priced at USD 185 is limited to American nationals, which is why most Polish tourists choose the single-entry eTA.
Sources and Verification
- ETA Eligibility page on the Kenya eTA portal – list of countries, types of eTA and the fees charged (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- eTA FAQs from the Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – steps of the application, processing and tracking (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Notices step of the eTA application, Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – notice on the mandatory inbound travel health insurance (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Passport Information and Required Documents steps of the Kenya eTA application – formats of documents and uploads (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- General Information on the eTA, Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – exemptions and documents depending on the purpose of travel (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- How to Apply, Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) – who must hold an eTA and the passport rules (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
