Two conditions apply when you reach Kenya: your passport needs at least six months of remaining validity counted from your arrival date, and it must contain a minimum of one empty page for stamps. Everyone entering the country, babies and small children included, must also hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). This is an independent travel guide rather than a government site, so please double-check the details on the Kenya eTA portal before setting off.
Kenya Passport Validity and Blank Page Rules
Only two elements decide this: six months still left on the document and a single free page. Both appear on the eTA portal as conditions you must satisfy before beginning an application.
No nationality is exempt. The same passport rules apply whether you come from Poland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia or India.
The six months are counted from your day of entry into Kenya, not from the day you submit the application.
Planning a longer stay? Look at the Kenya visa and entry requirements guide, and for the remaining paperwork check the additional entry requirements page.
Kenya Passport Validity for the eTA Application
Here the same standard applies: six months of validity plus one blank page.
Gather the following before you begin:
- A passport-style photo or a selfie
- Your contact information, such as an email address and a phone number
- An itinerary showing your arrival and departure dates
- Confirmation of your booked accommodation
- A way to pay, for example a credit or debit card
A standard eTA is priced at USD 30 for a single entry, a transit eTA at USD 20, and a multi-entry valid for one year at USD 300. Nationals of the US may apply for a five year multi-entry eTA costing USD 185. Three working days is the usual processing time, although it can stretch longer.
Submit your application at etakenya.go.ke/how-to-apply no later than a week before you fly. For guidance on the form itself, visit the eTA application process page or the country pages for Poland, US citizens and UK citizens.
Common Passport Mistakes When Entering Kenya
Check passport validity
Must have 6+ months from arrival
Verify blank pages
At least one empty page required
Apply for eTA early
Allow 3+ working days minimum
Get child passports
Each child needs own passport & eTA
Should a renewal be necessary, begin the process straight away, and while you wait read about health and vaccination requirements and customs and overstay rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Kenya passport validity requirement for entry?
From your date of entry into Kenya, your passport needs at least six months of validity, and you must also hold an approved eTA.
How many empty passport pages are required for Kenya?
A minimum of one blank page. Among the documents required before applying, the eTA portal lists a passport with at least one blank page.
Do infants and children each need a separate passport for Kenya?
Correct. Every child must have a valid passport that satisfies the six-month and blank-page rules, together with an approved eTA.
Apart from a valid passport, what documents are needed for the Kenya eTA?
A selfie or passport-type photo, contact details, a travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, and a credit or debit card for the fee.
What is the processing time for the Kenya eTA?
According to the Kenya eTA portal, processing normally takes three working days, though longer waits are possible. Applying a week or more in advance keeps that uncertainty from affecting your plans.
Does the required passport validity for Kenya vary by nationality?
No. The same six-month validity and blank-page rules apply to visitors from every country, Poland, the US and the UK included.
Do transit passengers who do not leave the airport need an eTA for Kenya?
Those who remain within the airport precincts or transfer to another aircraft without leaving are exempt. Stepping outside the airport means you will need an approved eTA.
Where can the Kenya eTA be applied for?
Applications go to etakenya.go.ke/how-to-apply, the government portal operated by the Directorate of Immigration Services. Keep your passport, photo, itinerary and payment card to hand.
Sources and verification
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility – country lists, eTA categories and fees (verified 2026-10-13)
- How to Apply · Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation – documents you must provide, exemptions and processing time (verified 2026-10-13)
