Before setting off to Kenya, South Korean passport holders need an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). A standard eTA covers a single entry and costs USD 30, and processing normally takes up to 72 hours. You file your application online through the Kenya eTA portal at etakenya.go.ke.
What follows is an independent guide, not a government website. We don’t take payments or submit anything for you; the application is yours to complete on the portal. Further down you’ll find the paperwork, the fees, the steps to follow, and the pitfalls worth avoiding before booking any flights.
Kenya Visa for South Korean Citizens: eTA Required
Correct. South Korea does not belong to any exemption group. On the eTA eligibility page, South Korea appears among the countries that have to apply, whereas exemptions cover East African Partner States for up to 180 days, a 90-day list that includes South Africa and Singapore, and a 60-day list of African countries.
For most travellers the eTA has taken the place of the old visa system. It is a semi-automated arrangement that applies to everybody: every visitor, infants and children included, must hold an approved eTA before the journey begins.
Approval of an eTA does not guarantee that you will be let in. Admissibility is decided by immigration officers when you reach the border, so carry your documents with you.
Required Documents and Entry Requirements
Collect these before opening the application form, since you’ll type or upload most of them in a single session. The How to Apply page lists:
- A passport with at least six months of validity and one blank page, along with a photo or scan of the biodata page (JPG, PNG or PDF).
- A selfie or passport-style photo (JPG, PNG or WEBP, or captured with your webcam or phone camera).
- Ways to reach you: an email address and a phone number.
- A travel itinerary showing when you arrive and when you leave.
- Confirmation of your accommodation booking.
- A payment method, for example a credit or debit card.
Travel health insurance is compulsory for every traveller. A Ministry of Health notice inside the application requires valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, per Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. Since no minimum cover amount is given, ask your insurer what your policy includes.
Certain trips require additional paperwork. Medical travel needs a hospital referral letter; conferences need an invitation or participation letter; business trips need an invitation from the company plus a copy of its registration; and family visits need an invitation from your host together with their ID and passport. Keep vaccination or test certificates within reach.
Kenya eTA Fees and Processing Times
Because fees differ by type, choose the one that fits your plans:
| eTA type | Cost (USD) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | 30 | A single entry into Kenya |
| Transit eTA | 20 | Transit flights passing through Kenya |
| One Year Multi-Entry eTA | 300 | Repeated entries across one year |
| Five Year Multi-Entry eTA | 185 | Reserved for American nationals |
Ordinary processing may take up to 72 hours, which usually means three business days, and can stretch further depending on verification. Urgent applications are handled faster for an extra USD 100 on top of the base fee. The Directorate of Immigration Services advises applying at least two weeks before you travel.
Applying for Kenya Visa for South Korean Citizens
Visit the official portal
Go to etakenya.go.ke or launch the Kenya Travel Authorisation mobile app. No other channels are authorised.
Start your application
Hit “Apply Now” and select an individual or a group application. Within a group, every passenger still requires their own eTA.
Fill in details and upload documents
Enter your passport details, upload your photo and documents, and re-check each field before you submit.
Submit the form
Send the form and watch for the confirmation email containing your reference number.
Pay the fee
Pay the fee, then wait for the email with the approval or the refusal.
Receive your decision
If you’re approved, print the PDF or keep it in the app. If you’re refused, travel isn’t possible yet; write to [email protected].
Don’t fly on the payment receipt alone; wait until the approval arrives. To follow your progress, use “Check Status” on the homepage and type in your reference number. Questions can go to [email protected], WhatsApp +254 110 922 064, or +254 717 436 070.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying through a site that mimics the government portal rather than etakenya.go.ke. Submissions are accepted only via etakenya.go.ke or the Kenya Travel Authorisation mobile app. Type the address in yourself.
- Uploading a photo in the wrong format or one that doesn’t match the face in your passport. Use JPG, PNG or WEBP and make sure it’s recent.
- Filing just days before departure. Processing can go beyond 72 hours, so apply at least two weeks ahead or pay for the expedited option.
- Booking flights and accommodation you cannot document. Your itinerary and booking confirmation form part of the file.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does Kenya eTA processing take for South Korean citizens?
Normally up to 72 hours, or three business days, although verification may extend it. Paying an additional USD 100 gets you expedited handling. Submit your application at least two weeks before travel.
Are South Korean travelers able to submit an application for a Kenya eTA that permits multiple entries?
You can. A one-year multi-entry eTA costs USD 300 and permits repeated entries during that year. The five-year option, priced at USD 185, is available to American nationals only.
For South Koreans traveling to Kenya, is travel health insurance a requirement?
It is. A Ministry of Health notice in the eTA application demands valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, under Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. The notice sets no minimum cover.
Is it possible for me to submit a Kenya eTA application for someone else?
Yes, you can. Fill in their details and state at the end that the application is being made on their behalf. The passport, photo and itinerary must still belong to that person.
If my application for a Kenya visa for South Korean citizens is refused, what action should I take?
For the time being you cannot travel to Kenya. Send an email to [email protected], describe your situation and request the details.
Is a Kenya eTA required for South Korean children?
They do. Each visitor, infants and children included, must hold an approved eTA. Submit one for every child, and choose the group option when the family travels together.
How far in advance should I submit my application for the Kenya visa for South Korean citizens?
At least two weeks before travel is what the Directorate of Immigration Services recommends. That buffer covers verification delays, document corrections, or the need to resubmit.
What is the way to check the status of my Kenya eTA application?
Open etakenya.go.ke, select “Check Status” on the homepage, and type the reference number from your confirmation email. Once an immigration officer has reviewed the file, the portal displays your decision.
Sources and verification
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility – country lists, eTA types and fees (verified 2026-10-13)
- Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA FAQs – application steps, processing, status checks (verified 2026-10-13)
- eTA application, Notices step – Ministry of Health notice on mandatory inbound travel health insurance (verified 2026-10-13)
- eTA application, Required Documents step – passport, photo and document uploads (verified 2026-10-13)
- Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA General Information – exemptions, document lists, processing (verified 2026-10-13)
- How to Apply – Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization – who needs an eTA and what to prepare (verified 2026-10-13)
