Before setting off, the majority of people visiting Kenya must hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). A standard eTA will set you back USD 30, and a decision normally arrives within three business days.
The guide you are reading is independent and has no link to any government body. We neither collect payments nor send off applications on anyone’s behalf. Send your request only through https://etakenya.go.ke, and check the current requirements on that site shortly before you set off.
Who Needs an eTA for Kenya?
Unless an exemption covers them, every person entering Kenya, babies and youngsters included, must have an approved eTA in hand before travelling. According to the Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services, this authorisation takes the place of the traditional visa requirement for the majority of visitors, which means it is not a separate document stacked on top of a visa.
People travelling on any of the 17 passports covered on this site, among them Poland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and India, are required to submit one. You can verify each nationality against the eTA eligibility list. With a standard eTA, you may enter once.
Certain groups do not need one, thanks to the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules, 2025:
- Holders of passports from East African Partner States (Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda), for visits of no more than 180 days.
- People from 44 countries on the list, South Africa, Ghana, Jamaica and Singapore among them, for a maximum of 90 days.
- Citizens of 28 African nations, Morocco and Egypt included, for stays of up to 60 days.
- Travellers in transit who remain within the airport and never go through border control.
Those carrying diplomatic passports still fill in an eTA, though no fee applies for a standard one. Nationals of the United States have the option of a five-year multiple-entry eTA at USD 185. To see every exemption, read our guide on who needs a visa for Kenya.
Kenya eTA Fees and Processing Times
What you pay hinges on the kind of journey you are making and how quickly you want a reply.
| eTA type | Price | What it allows |
|---|---|---|
| Transit eTA | USD 20 | Transit flight via Kenya |
| Standard eTA | USD 30 | A single entry into Kenya |
| One Year Multi-Entry eTA | USD 300 | Several entries within one year |
| Five Year Multi-Entry eTA | USD 185 | US nationals only, several entries |
In a hurry? An expedited service is handled right away and adds USD 100 to the cost. According to the portal, you should apply no later than two weeks before you travel, and the approved eTA has to be shown at every point of departure and arrival. An East African Tourist eTA is marked as coming soon, so it is unwise to build plans around it. Everything else is explained in our application process guide.
Applying for the Kenya eTA: Step by Step
Submit your request exclusively via the government portal or the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app. Travellers are warned by the Government of Canada to stick to the official website so as not to fall victim to fraud.
Open the portal
Go to https://etakenya.go.ke and select “Apply Now”.
Complete the form
Fill in all the fields with care and then send the form.
Check your inbox
Keep an eye out for confirmation messages about receipt and payment.
Await the decision
Wait for an immigration officer to email you either an approval or a refusal.
Save your eTA
Once approved, either print the PDF or store it inside the mobile app.
Do not travel yet
Do not travel until that approval reaches you.
Prepare the following in advance: a passport with at least six months of validity and one empty page, a selfie or photo in passport style, an email address and phone number, your travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, plus a credit or debit card. If you are travelling for medical treatment, a conference, work, resettlement or vaccination, further documents might be requested, for instance a hospital referral letter or an invitation letter.
Bringing family along? Choose “Apply as a Group”, yet every traveller still requires an eTA of their own. A third party may apply on your behalf, provided your information is accurate and they indicate that they are doing so for you. To follow the progress, hit “Check Status” and type in the reference number you received by email. Should your request be turned down, contact [email protected].
Entry Rules and Health Insurance
At the moment of entry, your passport must still be valid for at least six months and contain one unused page. From October 5, 2026 onwards, anyone applying for an eTA for a stay shorter than 12 months must also take out travel health insurance with a national insurer, arranged under the IRA (Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026).
A yellow fever certificate is demanded from anyone aged one year or older who arrives from a country where the disease is transmitted. For travellers from nine months of age, the CDC advises the vaccination, though exceptions exist when the trip stays within Nairobi, Mombasa and a few other areas. Because Kenyan officials conduct random checks, carry a copy of the certificate with you.
If you wish to remain beyond the period you were granted, visit a Kenyan immigration office in person and apply before the eTA runs out. Staying too long may bring fines, arrest, imprisonment or deportation. Taking up work or volunteering while on a tourist eTA is against the law. More information is available on our pages about passport requirements and health and vaccinations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a paid look-alike site. Anything submitted outside https://etakenya.go.ke or the official app risks never being processed, and your money could be gone. Always type the address in yourself.
- Applying too late. Three business days is the usual turnaround, not a promise. Send your application a minimum of two weeks in advance.
- Misreading the dates. Check that the dates shown on your eTA line up with how long you intend to stay in Kenya.
- Assuming children are exempt. Listing a child on a parent’s application is not the same as an exemption. Before travelling, compare every child against the eligibility list and the exemption rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the eTA the same as a visa?
Not at all. For the majority of visitors, the eTA takes the place of visa requirements, yet holding one does not guarantee that you will be let in. Whether you are admissible is decided by immigration officers when you arrive. Those from East African Partner States and people from the exempt countries on the list do not require one.
How far in advance do I need to apply for the Kenya eTA?
According to the portal, you should apply no fewer than two weeks ahead of your trip. Three days is the normal processing time, and a faster option exists. Should your case involve additional documents, apply sooner, because the checks may take more time.
Are US citizens required to obtain a visa for Kenya?
Yes, and that takes the shape of an approved eTA. A standard eTA is priced at USD 30 and covers a single entry. As an alternative, US nationals may purchase a five-year multiple-entry eTA for USD 185.
Do children and infants require an eTA for Kenya?
Correct, unless an exemption covers them. Any infant or child who does not fall under an exemption must have an approved eTA before travelling. Even in a group application, every passenger needs their own submission and approved document.
Am I able to transit through Kenya without an eTA?
Yes, provided you remain within the airport and do not go through border control. The moment you step outside the airport, an approved eTA becomes necessary before your journey.
What steps should I take if my application for a Kenya eTA is rejected?
That application will not get you into the country. Email [email protected], describe your circumstances and ask for the details. Hold off on booking flights until everything is sorted out.
Am I required to have a yellow fever certificate for Kenya?
Only when you are one year old or more and arriving from a country where yellow fever transmission occurs. Have the certificate within reach, since checks can happen at random.
Is it possible for another person to apply for the eTA on my behalf?
Yes. Whoever does it has to fill in your information accurately and indicate that the application is made for you. Accuracy stays your responsibility, so read the confirmation email thoroughly.
Sources and Verification
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility – categories of eTA, prices and the list of countries (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA FAQs – how to apply, the paperwork, tracking and contact details for support (verified 2026-10-13)
- How to Apply · Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization – who is exempt, the documents needed and how long processing takes (verified 2026-10-13)
- Government of Canada – Kenya travel advice – passport validity, insurance, yellow fever screening and the rules on overstaying (verified 2026-10-15)
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Travelers’ health: Kenya – advice on vaccines, malaria and yellow fever (verified 2026-10-13)
