Kenya eTA Travel Authorization

Kenya eTA Online

Clear requirements, guided document upload, and real human support - built to get your safari, coast or city trip approved without the guesswork.

Also known as the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation, Kenya eVisa, or Kenya visa online - the eTA is the official entry authorization required before you fly to Kenya.

Secure, encrypted application
Real support, 7 days a week
Documents reviewed before submission

Kenya eTA: Maasai Mara Safaris, Nairobi & the Indian Ocean Coast

Before you book flights or accommodation, you need an approved Kenya eTA - the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (also spelled Electronic Travel Authorization) - introduced in 2005 and covering arrivals by land, sea and air. Since January 2024 it has replaced the old eVisa system entirely; online eVisa applications are no longer accepted, though many travellers still search for it as "Kenya visa online" or "Kenya e-visa." A single-entry eTA is valid for 90 days and covers one stay of up to 90 days; US citizens can also get a 5-year multiple-entry version. If you continue on to Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania or Uganda, the same eTA lets you re-enter Kenya while it's still valid.

Plan before you travel

Kenya eTA approval is required before the journey

Kenya's Directorate of Immigration Services states that visitors, including infants and children, must have an approved eTA before the start of their journey. Processing may take a few days, so it's best to apply at least 3 business days before your planned trip to leave room for any document corrections.

Recommended planning time 3 business days ahead
Apply for Kenya eTA

Kenya eTA Pricing

Every plan includes the Kenyan government fee plus our document review and application support. The Kenya eTA application fee is non-refundable once your application is submitted, so double-check your details first. Optional express processing is available on each option - see the full Kenya eTA fees breakdown or how standard processing compares to express.

USD

Single Entry - Tourism (90 days)

Express processing available Live express option: $25.00
Government fee$89.00
Service fee$56.00
Total estimated price$145.00
Start Application
USD

Single Entry - Business (90 days)

Express processing available Live express option: $25.00
Government fee$89.00
Service fee$9.00
Total estimated price$98.00
Start Application
USD

Transit

Express processing available Live express option: $25.00
Government fee$38.00
Service fee$9.00
Total estimated price$98.00
Start Application
USD

Multiple Entry - Tourism (5 years)

Express processing available Live express option: $66.00
Government fee$273.00
Service fee$9.00
Total estimated price$282.00
Start Application
USD

Multiple Entry - Business (5 years)

Express processing available Live express option: $66.00
Government fee$273.00
Service fee$9.00
Total estimated price$282.00
Start Application

Prices shown are estimated totals in USD at the time of publishing and may change without notice. The government fee is paid to Kenya's Immigration Authority; the service fee covers document review and application assistance provided by VistoRoute, an independent travel authorization platform.

Fast Track at the Airport

An agent meets you right at the terminal entrance and escorts you through passport control and customs using the fast-track lane, with luggage assistance included.

Emergency Rush Processing

If your travel date is very close, ask about Emergency Rush Processing - it can get your Kenya eTA processed in around 1 business day.

These are optional, independently arranged services rather than part of the standard government eTA process. Contact our team to check availability for your travel dates.

Countries Eligible for the Kenya eTA

Travellers holding a passport from any of the countries below can apply for the Kenya eTA online - see the full eTA eligibility guide for details. A few nationalities, mainly citizens of neighbouring EAC partner states exempt from the eTA, follow different rules.

The Kenya eTA is required for most passport holders, including citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, China, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Japan and Saudi Arabia. Some nationalities follow different rules: citizens of Nigeria and South Africa fall under separate short-stay exemption limits, and citizens of East African Community (EAC) partner states are generally exempt from the eTA altogether. See the eTA exemption countries guide to confirm whether your nationality is ETA required or ETA not required before you apply.

AbkhaziaCheck eligibility AfghanistanCheck eligibility Aland IslandsCheck eligibility AlbaniaCheck eligibility AlgeriaCheck eligibility American SamoaCheck eligibility AndorraCheck eligibility AngolaCheck eligibility AnguillaCheck eligibility AntarcticaCheck eligibility Antigua and BarbudaCheck eligibility ArgentinaCheck eligibility ArmeniaCheck eligibility ArubaCheck eligibility AustraliaCheck eligibility AustriaCheck eligibility AzerbaijanCheck eligibility BahrainCheck eligibility BangladeshCheck eligibility BelarusCheck eligibility BelgiumCheck eligibility BeninCheck eligibility BermudaCheck eligibility BhutanCheck eligibility BoliviaCheck eligibility BonaireCheck eligibility Bosnia and HerzegovinaCheck eligibility Bouvet IslandCheck eligibility BrazilCheck eligibility British Indian Ocean TerritoryCheck eligibility British Virgin IslandsCheck eligibility BulgariaCheck eligibility Burkina FasoCheck eligibility CambodiaCheck eligibility CameroonCheck eligibility CanadaCheck eligibility Cape VerdeCheck eligibility Cayman IslandsCheck eligibility ChileCheck eligibility ChinaCheck eligibility Christmas IslandCheck eligibility Cocos (Keeling) IslandsCheck eligibility ColombiaCheck eligibility Cook IslandsCheck eligibility Costa RicaCheck eligibility Cote d'IvoireCheck eligibility CroatiaCheck eligibility CuracaoCheck eligibility Czech RepublicCheck eligibility DenmarkCheck eligibility DjiboutiCheck eligibility Dominican RepublicCheck eligibility EcuadorCheck eligibility EgyptCheck eligibility El SalvadorCheck eligibility Equatorial GuineaCheck eligibility EstoniaCheck eligibility Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)Check eligibility Faroe IslandsCheck eligibility FinlandCheck eligibility FranceCheck eligibility French GuianaCheck eligibility French PolynesiaCheck eligibility French Southern TerritoriesCheck eligibility GabonCheck eligibility GeorgiaCheck eligibility GermanyCheck eligibility GibraltarCheck eligibility GreeceCheck eligibility GreenlandCheck eligibility GuadeloupeCheck eligibility GuamCheck eligibility GuatemalaCheck eligibility GuernseyCheck eligibility GuineaCheck eligibility Guinea-BissauCheck eligibility Heard Island and McDonald IslandsCheck eligibility HondurasCheck eligibility Hong KongCheck eligibility HungaryCheck eligibility IcelandCheck eligibility IndiaCheck eligibility IndonesiaCheck eligibility IrelandCheck eligibility Isle of ManCheck eligibility IsraelCheck eligibility ItalyCheck eligibility JapanCheck eligibility JerseyCheck eligibility JordanCheck eligibility KazakhstanCheck eligibility Korea, Republic of (South)Check eligibility KosovoCheck eligibility KuwaitCheck eligibility KyrgyzstanCheck eligibility LaosCheck eligibility LatviaCheck eligibility LebanonCheck eligibility LiberiaCheck eligibility LiechtensteinCheck eligibility LithuaniaCheck eligibility LuxembourgCheck eligibility MacauCheck eligibility Macedonia, Republic ofCheck eligibility MadagascarCheck eligibility MaltaCheck eligibility Marshall IslandsCheck eligibility MartiniqueCheck eligibility MauritaniaCheck eligibility MayotteCheck eligibility MexicoCheck eligibility Micronesia, Federated States ofCheck eligibility MoldovaCheck eligibility MonacoCheck eligibility MongoliaCheck eligibility MontenegroCheck eligibility MontserratCheck eligibility MoroccoCheck eligibility MyanmarCheck eligibility Nagorno-KarabakhCheck eligibility NepalCheck eligibility NetherlandsCheck eligibility New CaledoniaCheck eligibility New ZealandCheck eligibility NicaraguaCheck eligibility NigerCheck eligibility NigeriaCheck eligibility NiueCheck eligibility Norfolk IslandCheck eligibility Northern CyprusCheck eligibility Northern Mariana IslandsCheck eligibility NorwayCheck eligibility OmanCheck eligibility PakistanCheck eligibility PalauCheck eligibility PanamaCheck eligibility ParaguayCheck eligibility PeruCheck eligibility PhilippinesCheck eligibility PitcairnCheck eligibility PolandCheck eligibility PortugalCheck eligibility Puerto RicoCheck eligibility QatarCheck eligibility ReunionCheck eligibility RomaniaCheck eligibility RussiaCheck eligibility Sahrawi Arab Democratic RepublicCheck eligibility Saint BarthelemyCheck eligibility Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaCheck eligibility Saint MartinCheck eligibility Saint Pierre and MiquelonCheck eligibility Sao Tome and PrincipeCheck eligibility Saudi ArabiaCheck eligibility SenegalCheck eligibility SerbiaCheck eligibility SeychellesCheck eligibility Sint MaartenCheck eligibility SlovakiaCheck eligibility SloveniaCheck eligibility South Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsCheck eligibility South OssetiaCheck eligibility SpainCheck eligibility Sri LankaCheck eligibility SurinameCheck eligibility Svalbard and Jan MayenCheck eligibility SwedenCheck eligibility SwitzerlandCheck eligibility TaiwanCheck eligibility TajikistanCheck eligibility ThailandCheck eligibility Timor-LesteCheck eligibility TogoCheck eligibility TokelauCheck eligibility TransnistriaCheck eligibility TunisiaCheck eligibility TurkeyCheck eligibility TurkmenistanCheck eligibility Turks and Caicos IslandsCheck eligibility US Virgin IslandsCheck eligibility United Arab EmiratesCheck eligibility United KingdomCheck eligibility United States Minor Outlying IslandsCheck eligibility United States of AmericaCheck eligibility UruguayCheck eligibility Vatican City (Holy See)Check eligibility VietnamCheck eligibility Wallis and FutunaCheck eligibility Western SaharaCheck eligibility

Documents Required for Your Kenya eTA

Pick your visa type to see what you'll need to upload.

  • A clear photo of the passport's bio-data page
  • A photo of the applicant's face, taken on a phone or PC camera
  • A return flight ticket
  • Proof of accommodation - a hotel booking or an invitation letter from a relative
  • A personal ID of the hosting relative, where relevant
  • A parental consent letter, for applicants travelling as minors
Visiting family? See the family visit eTA guide

Prepare your Kenya eTA in four simple steps

The Kenya eTA online application form takes most travellers under 15 minutes to complete. Before you start, make sure you have the required supporting documents on hand - see the full Kenya eTA requirements or our step-by-step how-to-apply guide. Applying as a family or group? Each traveller needs a separate application, but you can prepare and submit them together.

1

Fill Out the Form

Select your visa type, then enter your personal and travel details and upload the supporting documents for your route.

2

Cover the Fees

Pay using whichever method is most convenient for you. You'll receive a confirmation number by email once payment goes through.

3

Wait for Approval

Once approved, your Kenya eTA is emailed to you as a PDF document. You can check your application status any time before it arrives.

4

Present It on Arrival

Show your approved eTA to the immigration officer at the border. They will scan the QR code and verify your documents before granting entry.

Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization sample reference
Tap or click to zoom
Sample reference for a Kenya eTA
Check your eligibility and documents

Entry Ports & Arrival Requirements

When you apply, you will select your planned point of entry. Kenya accepts eTA holders at the following airports, border crossings and seaports - see the full entry requirements on arrival.

Airports

Nairobi (NBO Airport) Nairobi (Wilson Airport) Mombasa (MBA Airport) Mombasa (Malindi Airport)

Border crossings

Busia (Busia) Busia (Malaba) Bungoma (Lwakhakha) Kajiado (Loitoktok)

Seaports

Homabay (Mbita Point) Kisumu (Kisumu Pier) Kwale (Vanga) Kwale (Shimoni)

What immigration checks on arrival

  • A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival date, with two blank pages
  • Your approved Kenya eTA, carrying a valid QR code
  • A yellow fever vaccination record, for travellers arriving from at-risk countries
Yellow fever & health requirements

Good to know before you travel

  • Every traveller, including infants and children, needs an approved eTA to enter Kenya.
  • The Tourist and Business single-entry eTAs are valid for 90 days from approval.
  • A Transit eTA is available for travellers connecting through Kenya to another destination.
  • An approved eTA does not permit taking up employment in Kenya.
  • Extensions can only be requested in person at the Immigration Services office in Nairobi.
  • A single-entry eTA generally covers one visit, but you may re-enter Kenya if you travel onward to Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania or Uganda while your eTA is still valid.
  • Frequent visitors and eligible US citizens can apply for the One Year Multi-Entry eTA or Five Year Multi-Entry eTA instead of reapplying for every trip.
Validity & stay duration guide

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Most delays come down to the same handful of slip-ups - see the full list of Kenya eTA rejection reasons. Already submitted and spotted an error? Visit our eTA correction guide.

Blurry or cropped passport photo

The bio-data page photo needs to be well-lit and uncropped, with every detail clearly readable.

Photo requirements
Selfie doesn't match your passport

Skip sunglasses, hats or filters, and use a plain background - the officer needs to match your face to your passport at a glance.

Details don't match your passport exactly

Check spelling, date of birth and passport number against your passport - a small typo is enough to delay approval.

Wrong eTA type selected

A conference trip needs a Business eTA, not a Tourist one. Picking the wrong category is one of the most common reasons for rejection.

Applying too close to travel

Leave at least 3 business days of buffer, so there is time to fix anything if a document gets rejected.

Passport not valid long enough

You need at least 6 months of passport validity beyond your arrival date, plus two blank pages.

Passport validity rules

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about the Kenya eTA, processing times, and eligibility. For general visa questions, visit the full FAQ hub.

Still have questions? Start your application
01 Do I need a Kenya eTA before I travel?

Most visitors, including infants and children, need an approved Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization before starting their journey. A small number of nationalities and transit categories are exempt or follow different rules.

02 How long does the Kenya eTA take to process?

Processing may take a few days. Official guidance recommends applying at least 3 business days ahead of travel, so allow extra time if you want a buffer for correcting any document issues.

03 What documents do I need to apply?

You will typically need a valid passport, a recent passport-style photo or selfie, contact details, your travel itinerary, and any accommodation or invitation documents relevant to your travel purpose.

04 Can I apply for the whole family together?

Yes, each traveller - including children and infants - needs their own approved eTA, but applications for a family or group can be prepared and submitted together.

05 What happens if my Kenya eTA application has an error?

Mismatched names, passport numbers, or travel dates are common causes of delay. Reviewing every field against your passport before submission is the best way to avoid rejection or resubmission.

06 Is the Kenya eTA the same as the Kenya eVisa?

Yes. The Kenya eVisa and "Kenya visa online" were the names used before January 2024. They have been fully replaced by the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), and the old eVisa portal no longer accepts applications.

07 Do I need a Kenya eTA if I am only transiting through Kenya?

Travellers connecting through a Kenyan airport or border on the way to another destination generally need a Transit eTA, which is a separate category from the Tourist and Business eTAs.

08 Is the Kenya eTA application fee refundable?

No. The Kenya eTA application fee is non-refundable once submitted, even if the application is refused, so it is worth double-checking every detail before you pay.

Need a hand preparing your documents?

Our team can review your application and flag errors before you submit.

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Ready to apply for your Kenya eTA?

Start online, upload your documents, and get your approval by email.

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