Anyone holding a British passport has to obtain an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) prior to setting off for Kenya. UK passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival, which means the Kenya visa for UK citizens is, in practice, an eTA submitted online ahead of the trip. A standard eTA is priced at USD 30.
This guide sets out the requirements, the fees and the way the application works, drawing on the official Kenya eTA portal at etakenya.go.ke. It is an independent, informational page. No payments are taken here and nothing can be submitted on your behalf, so always check the details on the official portal before travelling. For quick answers to common questions, see our frequently asked questions about the Kenya eTA.
Do UK Citizens Need a Kenya Visa?
Yes. Kenya’s list of countries whose nationals require an eTA includes the United Kingdom, alongside the United States, Canada, Australia and the majority of Europe. The requirement covers everybody, infants and children included.
According to the Directorate of Immigration Services, an eTA is a semi-automated system that determines whether a visitor may travel to Kenya. An approved eTA does not settle the matter, however: the decision on whether you are admitted rests with an immigration officer at the airport.
There is one narrow exception, though: members of the British Military who are serving are exempt from the eTA.
The terms “Kenya visa” and “eTA” tend to be used interchangeably. Our guide to who needs a visa for Kenya carries the complete exemption list, while our overview of Kenya entry requirements covers the wider border rules.
Kenya eTA Requirements for British Citizens
Collect the items below beforehand, since the form goes by quickly once you have started filling it in.
Required Documents
- A scan or photo of the biodata page of your passport, in JPG, PNG or PDF format.
- A passport-style photo or selfie in JPG, PNG or WEBP, or one captured with your phone or webcam.
- An email address and a phone number for you.
- A travel itinerary that shows your arrival and departure, along with confirmation of your accommodation booking.
- A credit or debit card to pay the fee with.
- A consent/commitment letter in JPG, PNG or PDF format.
As stated in the eTA FAQs, your passport has to remain valid for a minimum of six months from the date of travel and contain at least one blank page. Our page on Kenya passport requirements deals with the practical side of documents. Also review Kenya customs rules before packing to avoid issues at the border.
Mandatory Travel Health Insurance
Valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA is required of every traveller. Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026 is cited in the Ministry of Health notice that appears within the eTA application. While filling in the application you can verify your insurance status or purchase cover, though neither a minimum level of cover nor a price is given, so it is worth comparing policies beforehand. Our guide to additional Kenya entry requirements is worth a look as well. You may also want to check Kenya yellow fever vaccination requirements before your trip.
Additional Documents by Travel Purpose
For a business trip you will need an invitation letter from the company as well as a copy of its registration. If you are visiting family, include an invitation letter from your host and a copy of their ID, passport, alien card or entry permit. A hospital referral letter is required for medical travel, an invitation or participation letter for conferences, and your contract for employment. Certificates of vaccination or tests may be asked for as well.
Costs and Processing Times
A standard eTA is normally processed within 72 hours. Expedited processing is immediate and costs an extra USD 100, which is why you should submit your application no later than two weeks before departure.
| eTA type | Fee | What it allows |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | USD 30 | Entry into Kenya once |
| 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 |
On the portal, an East African Tourist eTA appears under the label “coming soon.” Standard processing takes three business days, and it may stretch longer when verification is slow. Fees are charged per person, infants and children included. Diplomats are exempt from the standard eTA fee, although they can still pay for faster handling.
How to Apply for Your Kenya eTA
Submit your application only via the official eTA portal or through the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app. No other route counts as an official channel.
Visit etakenya.go.ke and select “Apply Now”
Go to etakenya.go.ke to begin your application.
Fill in your details and upload the documents
Provide all required information and attach the necessary files.
Go over each field before submitting
Review every entry carefully to avoid mistakes.
Pay USD 30, or USD 130 if you want expedited handling
Use a credit or debit card to complete the payment.
Await the confirmation, payment and decision emails
Check your inbox for updates on your application status.
Once approved, either print the PDF or keep it saved in the mobile app
Have your approved eTA ready for presentation at the border.
Travel is only possible after Kenya has approved your application. To track progress, click “Check Status” on the homepage and key in the reference number you received by email. Another person may apply for you, provided they use your details and declare that they are applying on your behalf. Going as a group? Choose “Apply as a Group,” though every passenger still requires an eTA of their own.
Should your application be refused, write to [email protected]. For general enquiries, use [email protected], WhatsApp +254 110 922 064 or the phone number +254 717 436 070. The form is covered screen by screen in our Kenya eTA application walkthrough. Before planning your trip, check the best time to visit Kenya for a safari.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving it too late. Send your application at least two weeks before flying, so that slow verification does not catch you out.
- Omitting travel health insurance. Every traveller to Kenya has to hold valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA.
- Travelling on a passport with fewer than six months left or without a blank page. Get it renewed before you apply.
- Mistyping your name or passport number. Go through the biodata page line by line before you submit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do UK citizens need a visa for Kenya or just an eTA?
An eTA is all that is needed. The United Kingdom appears on Kenya’s eTA-required list, and British passports have no visa-on-arrival option. Submit your application through the official portal before departure.
What is the cost of a Kenya visa for UK citizens?
A standard single-entry eTA is USD 30, with expedited processing adding USD 100. A one-year multi-entry eTA costs USD 300 and a transit eTA USD 20. Fees are charged per person.
For holders of British passports, how long does Kenya eTA processing take?
Typically within three business days, that is 72 hours, although verification may take longer. For the additional USD 100, expedited processing is handled immediately. Apply no later than two weeks before travel.
From the UK, is travel health insurance required for Kenya?
Yes. Under Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026, valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA is required of all travellers. Your status can be checked, or cover bought, during the application.
Is it possible for someone else to apply for a Kenya eTA for me?
Yes. They need to enter your information and indicate that they are applying on your behalf. Only the official portal or the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” app should be used.
What passport validity must I have for a Kenya eTA?
Your British passport has to be valid for at least six months and contain at least one blank page. Provide a photo or scan of the biodata page in JPG, PNG or PDF format. If it is close to expiry, renew it first.
How can I look up the status of my Kenya eTA application?
On the eTA homepage, click “Check Status” and input the reference number included in your email. Confirmation and payment emails arrive first, followed by an approval or refusal email.
What actions should I take if my Kenya eTA application is refused?
Send an email to [email protected] describing your situation and requesting further details. While an application is refused, travel to Kenya is not possible.
Sources and verification
- Kenya eTA portal, ETA Eligibility – list of countries and eTA categories together with fees (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services, eTA FAQs – steps of the application, documents and processing (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application, Notices step – Ministry of Health notice on inbound insurance (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application, required documents step – formats for uploading passport, photo and documents (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services, eTA General Information – exemptions, documents and processing times (verified 2026-10-13)
- How to Apply, Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization – the eTA requirement, persons exempt and passport validity (verified 2026-10-13)
