Before boarding a flight to Kenya, travellers holding Saudi passports need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). A standard eTA comes with a USD 30 fee, permits a single entry, and normally takes up to 72 hours to process. Applications are submitted online through etakenya.go.ke.
The documents, fees and steps are set out in this independent guide, which has no government connection; the application itself, however, you file personally on the official portal.
Kenya Visa for Saudi Citizens: What You Need
Because Saudi Arabia does not appear on any exemption list, all Saudi travellers, infants and children included, must hold an approved eTA, and each person requires a separate approval, as the Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services states.
For the majority of travellers, the eTA has taken the place of traditional visas. It works as a semi-automated system that establishes whether visitors are eligible to travel to Kenya.
Since a standard eTA covers a single entry, it fits one trip. Having one is not a final guarantee, because the decision on whether you may enter is made by officers at the border.
Required Documents and Entry Requirements
Collect the following in advance, as scans and photos taken with a phone are acceptable.
Required Documents for eTA Application
- A passport that is valid, with a minimum of six months of validity remaining and one empty page, in line with the How to Apply page.
- A photo of yourself or one in passport style.
- Contact information, meaning an email address and a telephone number.
- An itinerary for the trip that shows when you arrive and depart.
- Confirmation of your accommodation booking.
- A way to pay, for example a credit card or a debit card.
What additional paperwork you need depends on the reason for your trip. For business travel, an invitation letter and a copy of the company registration are required; when visiting family, a letter from the host along with their ID or permit is needed; medical trips call for a hospital referral letter; and to attend conferences you must provide an invitation or participation letter.
Health Insurance and Vaccination Requirements
Every traveller is required to have valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA, in accordance with Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. The published rules do not state any minimum amount of cover.
Yellow fever rules are conditional. As the US CDC explains, proof of vaccination is required from travellers aged one year and older who arrive from countries where transmission risk exists, which means a direct flight departing Saudi Arabia does not call for the certificate. The WHO advises the vaccine from the age of nine months, although usually not for journeys confined to Nairobi, Mombasa and parts of the coast.
Malaria calls for greater attention. For areas lying below 2,500 metres, game parks included, the CDC recommends preventive medication, while in central Nairobi bite precautions by themselves are enough. Ask a travel clinic which antimalarial is right for you.
Kenya Visa for Saudi Citizens: Cost and Processing Times
Set aside USD 30 for a standard eTA, and an additional USD 100 if you want fast processing. The eTA eligibility and FAQ pages contain the fee list.
| eTA type | Fee | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eTA | USD 30 | A single entry into Kenya |
| Transit eTA | USD 20 | Flights in transit through Kenya |
| One Year Multi-Entry eTA | USD 300 | Several entries across one year |
Only American nationals may obtain the five-year multi-entry eTA, which costs USD 185.
Standard processing can take as long as 72 hours, and verification may stretch beyond that. Speeding things up adds USD 100, which brings the total to USD 130. Applying no later than two weeks before departure is what officials advise.
How to Apply for Kenya eTA
Applications go through the official website or the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app; no alternative route exists.
Open the portal
Open etakenya.go.ke and select “Apply Now”.
Fill in your data
Fill in your personal data and passport data, upload the documents, and review each field prior to sending it off.
Await confirmation
Await an email confirming that your application has been received, and, where a fee is due, a payment email as well.
Download the approval
Once the decision email arrives, open it and download the approval PDF.
Store the PDF
Store that PDF on your phone or in the official mobile app.
Do not travel until approval is granted. Should your application be refused, send your details to [email protected] and ask what went wrong.
Families should tick “Apply as a Group”, yet every passenger still requires an eTA of their own. Someone you know, a friend or relative, may submit the application for you, provided they enter your details and indicate that they are applying on behalf of another person.
To track how things are going, select “Check Status” and paste in your reference number. If you have questions, reach out at [email protected], via WhatsApp +254 110 922 064, or by phone at +254 717 436 070.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying on a lookalike website. The only valid options are etakenya.go.ke and the official app, so anything else puts both your money and your approval at risk.
- Applying at the last moment. If you book flights before approval and verification exceeds 72 hours, you leave yourself no room to manoeuvre.
- Mistakes in passport details. Check each field against your biodata page before submitting, because the application requires all data to be entered accurately.
- Overlooking the health insurance, which every traveller is subject to.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does the Kenya visa for Saudi citizens cost?
The standard eTA comes to USD 30 for a single entry. A transit eTA costs USD 20, a one-year multi-entry eTA is USD 300, and faster processing means an extra USD 100.
What is the processing time for a Kenya eTA?
A decision is normally issued by officials within 72 hours, although verification may take longer. The expedited option adds USD 100. Send your application at least two weeks before departure.
Is it possible for another person to apply for a Kenya eTA on my behalf?
Yes. Another person may submit the application for you, as long as your information is entered correctly and they declare that they are applying on your behalf.
Are children and infants required to have a Kenya eTA?
Yes. An approved eTA is required from every visitor, infants and children included, before the journey. Families should choose “Apply as a Group” and keep each passenger’s approval.
Is inbound travel health insurance required for Kenya?
Yes. Valid Inbound Travel Health Insurance issued under the IRA is required of all travellers, in line with Gazette Notice No. 11492 of 30 July 2026. There is no published minimum coverage amount.
Are Saudi citizens required to receive yellow fever vaccination for Kenya?
No, not when the flight departs directly from Saudi Arabia, because the certificate is required from arrivals coming from transmission-risk countries. The WHO nevertheless recommends the vaccine from nine months of age.
Where can I check the status of my Kenya eTA application?
On the etakenya.go.ke homepage, click “Check Status” and enter the reference number from your confirmation email. You will see whether the decision is still pending, approved or refused.
What happens if the application for the Kenya visa for Saudi citizens is rejected?
A refused application means you cannot travel. Write to [email protected], describe your situation and ask for the reason, so that you can correct the issue or apply again.
Sources and Verification
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA: How to Apply – which travellers are exempt and what documents are required (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA General Information – how long processing takes and the exemption categories (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA portal – ETA Eligibility – the types of eTA, the fees and the list of countries (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services – eTA FAQs – the application steps, status tracking and support channels (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application – Notices step – the notice about mandatory inbound travel health insurance (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- Kenya eTA application – Required Documents step – specifications for the passport, the photo and uploads (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Travelers’ health: Kenya – guidance on yellow fever and malaria (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
- WHO – International Travel and Health: country list of vaccination requirements – yellow fever requirements and recommendations (zweryfikowano 2026-10-13)
