Emirati passport holders do require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in order to enter Kenya. A standard eTA will set you back USD 30, and processing normally takes up to 72 hours. Submit your request on the Kenya eTA portal, etakenya.go.ke, before you set off.
This site is an independent source of travel information; we aren’t a government page, nor are we part of the Kenyan immigration service, and we neither accept payments nor submit applications on your behalf. Have a look at the eTA portal before your journey.
Kenya Visa for Emirati Citizens: Entry Rules
As the eTA eligibility page makes clear, the UAE does not appear on any exemption list.
For the majority of travelers, the eTA has taken the place of traditional visas, and an approved eTA is required before departure for everyone, infants and children included.
Travelers from the East African Partner States are granted 180 days, while nationals of some listed countries receive 90 or 60 days. Emirati passports fall outside both groups.
Approval of an eTA does not guarantee entry, since the final decision belongs to immigration officers at your point of arrival. Our page on who needs a visa for Kenya has more.
Kenya Visa for Emirati Citizens: Required Documents
- A valid passport that remains valid for at least 6 months and has one blank page
- A scan or photo of your passport biodata page (JPG, PNG or PDF)
- A selfie or passport-style photo (JPG, PNG or WEBP, or captured with your phone)
- A consent or commitment letter (JPG, PNG or PDF)
- Your travel itinerary together with confirmation of your accommodation booking
- Contact details plus a credit or debit card to pay with
Passport and Photo Requirements
Take a look at our Kenya passport requirements page.
Mandatory Travel Health Insurance
According to a Ministry of Health notice, every traveler must hold valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, in line with Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. Within the application you can verify your status or arrange cover, though neither a minimum cover nor a price is specified. Our additional entry requirements page explains more.
Vaccination Requirements
Travelers aged 1 year or over who arrive from countries where yellow fever transmission is a risk must show proof of vaccination (the ICVP), as set out in WHO’s country list. For journeys confined to Nairobi, Mombasa, or particular coastal and northeastern counties, it is generally not recommended.
For areas below 2,500 m, game parks included, the CDC advises taking prescription malaria medicine; central Nairobi is the exception, where protecting yourself against insect bites is sufficient. Talk it over with your doctor, and see our Kenya health and vaccinations page.
If you’re traveling for business, you’ll need an invitation letter along with a copy of the company registration. Visiting family calls for an invitation letter from your host, plus the host’s ID, passport, alien card or entry permit.
Kenya eTA Fees and Processing Times
Set aside USD 30 for the standard eTA; processing can take as long as 72 hours.
| eTA type | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | USD 30 | Single entry, processing up to 72 hours |
| Expedited processing | Extra USD 100 | Immediate processing on top of your eTA |
| Transit eTA | USD 20 | For 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, so not for UAE passports |
Three working days is the usual turnaround, although verification checks can extend it. The Directorate of Immigration Services advises submitting your application at least two weeks ahead of travel. Timing is covered in more detail in our Kenya eTA application process guide.
How to Apply for Your Kenya eTA
The immigration service accepts no channel other than etakenya.go.ke or the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app, so apply there and nowhere else.
Visit the portal and select “Apply Now.”
Carefully fill in your passport details and personal information.
Upload the biodata page, your selfie or photo, and any required documents.
Submit payment by credit or debit card, then keep an eye out for the confirmation email.
Await the email from an immigration officer telling you whether you’ve been approved or refused.
Once approved, either print the PDF, keep it saved on your device, or store it in the app.
A refusal means you cannot travel for the time being. Email [email protected], describe your situation, and ask for the details.
Group and Third-Party Applications
Even if you choose “Apply as a Group,” every passenger still requires an eTA of their own. Another person may apply for you, provided your information is accurate and they state that they’re applying on your behalf.
Tracking Your Application
On the homepage, click “Check Status” and type in the reference number you received by email, then store that number in a safe place. For questions, the Directorate provides [email protected], WhatsApp +254 110 922 064 and phone +254 717 436 070. Our Kenya eTA and visa FAQ is worth a look.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving your application until too late.
- Hiring a paid agent. According to the Directorate, applications must be completed only through etakenya.go.ke or the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app.
- Details that don’t match. Type your details exactly as they appear in your passport, as the Directorate asks applicants to ensure all data is entered correctly.
- Overlooking health insurance, which is verified during the application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do children holding Emirati passports need a Kenya eTA?
Yes. Every visitor, infants and children included, must hold an approved eTA before the journey begins. Submit a separate application for each child, and choose “Apply as a Group” if you’re traveling together.
Is it possible for another person to submit a Kenya visa application for Emirati citizens on my behalf?
Yes, provided your personal details are entered correctly and that person states they’re applying on your behalf. The approval emails will still come to you, so double-check the email address that was entered.
What steps should I take if my Kenya eTA application gets rejected?
While the application is refused, travel isn’t possible. Write to [email protected], explain your situation, and request the reasons and the next steps before you apply again.
For a Kenya eTA to be approved, is inbound travel health insurance a requirement?
Yes. Per the Ministry of Health notice, all travelers must have valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, in line with Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. Neither a minimum cover nor a price is given.
Is it possible to submit a Kenya visa application for Emirati citizens while being part of a travel group?
Yes, choose “Apply as a Group” at the start. Every passenger still needs an eTA of their own, so a single approval won’t cover a spouse, a child, or a colleague. Hang on to each reference number.
Is yellow fever vaccination required for Emirati citizens entering Kenya?
Only when you’re 1 year or older and arriving from a country where yellow fever transmission is a risk. Trips confined to Nairobi, Mombasa, or parts of the coast or northeast generally don’t call for it.
What is the processing time of a Kenya eTA for citizens of the UAE?
Usually three working days, or as much as 72 hours, although verification may take longer. Expedited processing adds USD 100. Submit your application at least two weeks before your flight.
At which place can I verify the status of my Kenya eTA application?
Visit etakenya.go.ke and use the “Check Status” button on the homepage. Type in the reference number from your application email, as that’s the only way to follow your progress.
Sources and verification
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility: country lists, eTA categories and their fees (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA FAQs: how to apply, fees, processing and contact details (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA General Information: exemptions, required documents and processing (verified 2026-10-13)
- How to Apply – Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization: who must obtain an eTA and the passport rules (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application – Ministry of Health notice: compulsory inbound travel health insurance (verified 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application – required documents step: accepted file formats for the passport, photo and letters (verified 2026-10-13)
- WHO – International Travel and Health: country list of vaccination requirements: entry rules for yellow fever (verified 2026-10-13)
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Travelers’ health: Kenya: malaria, routine vaccinations and health guidance (verified 2026-10-13)
