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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.

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Kenya eTA

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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 time3 business days ahead

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Types of Kenya eTA

Kenya's Directorate of Immigration Services issues five eTA categories. Which one you need depends on your travel purpose and, for the multiple-entry options, your nationality. On the official eligibility page these appear as the Kenya Standard eTA, Kenya Transit eTA, One Year Multi-Entry eTA and Five Year Multi-Entry eTA.

Tourist eTA

Single Entry

90 days 1 entry

Covers sightseeing, holidays and visits to relatives, with a stay of up to 90 days.

Learn more

Tourist eTA

Multiple Entry

5 years Repeat entry

Same tourism and family-visit purposes, open only to United States citizens.

Learn more

Business eTA

Single Entry

90 days 1 entry

For conferences, meetings and short commercial visits, with a stay of up to 90 days.

Learn more

Business eTA

Multiple Entry

5 years Repeat entry

For United States citizens with recurring business trips to Kenya.

Learn more

Transit eTA

Single Entry

90 days 1 entry

Express processing available Live express option: $66.00

Government fee$228.00

Service fee$102.00

Total estimated price$330.00

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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.

Popular: US citizens UK citizens Pakistani citizens Bangladeshi citizens

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.

Abkhazia

Afghanistan

Aland Islands

Albania

Algeria

American Samoa

Andorra

Angola

Anguilla

Antarctica

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Armenia

Aruba

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Belarus

Belgium

Benin

Bermuda

Bhutan

Bolivia

Bonaire

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bouvet Island

Brazil

British Indian Ocean Territory

British Virgin Islands

Bulgaria

Burkina Faso

Cambodia

Cameroon

Canada

Cape Verde

Cayman Islands

Chile

China

Christmas Island

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Colombia

Cook Islands

Costa Rica

Cote d'Ivoire

Croatia

Curacao

Czech Republic

Denmark

Djibouti

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Egypt

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Estonia

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Faroe Islands

Finland

France

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French Southern Territories

Gabon

Georgia

Germany

Gibraltar

Greece

Greenland

Guadeloupe

Guam

Guatemala

Guernsey

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Honduras

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

India

Indonesia

Ireland

Isle of Man

Israel

Italy

Japan

Jersey

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Korea, Republic of (South)

Kosovo

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Laos

Latvia

Lebanon

Liberia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Macau

Macedonia, Republic of

Madagascar

Malta

Marshall Islands

Martinique

Mauritania

Mayotte

Mexico

Micronesia, Federated States of

Moldova

Monaco

Mongolia

Montenegro

Montserrat

Morocco

Myanmar

Nagorno-Karabakh

Nepal

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

Nicaragua

Niger

Nigeria

Niue

Norfolk Island

Northern Cyprus

Northern Mariana Islands

Norway

Oman

Pakistan

Palau

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Philippines

Pitcairn

Poland

Portugal

Puerto Rico

Qatar

Reunion

Romania

Russia

Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

Saint Barthelemy

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Saint Martin

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Senegal

Serbia

Seychelles

Sint Maarten

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

South Ossetia

Spain

Sri Lanka

Suriname

Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Tajikistan

Thailand

Timor-Leste

Togo

Tokelau

Transnistria

Tunisia

Turkey

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

US Virgin Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States Minor Outlying Islands

United States of America

Uruguay

Vatican City (Holy See)

Vietnam

Wallis and Futuna

Western Sahara

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

More on documents: Full document requirements Photo requirements Passport validity rules

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.

Fill Out the Form

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

Cover the Fees

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

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.

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 — Sample reference for a Kenya eTATap or click to zoom

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) Kisumu (KIS Airport) Nakuru (EDL Airport) Isiolo Airport Lokichogio (LKG) Wajir (WJR Airport)

Border crossings

Busia (Busia) Busia (Malaba) Bungoma (Lwakhakha) Kajiado (Loitoktok) Kajiado (Namanga) Kwale (Lungalunga) Marsabit (Moyale) Migori (Isebania) Migori (Muhuru Bay) Taita (Taveta) Transnzoia (Suam) Turkana (Nadapal)

Seaports

Homabay (Mbita Point) Kisumu (Kisumu Pier) Kwale (Vanga) Kwale (Shimoni) Mombasa (Kilindini) Mombasa (Old Port)

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.

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Need a hand preparing your documents?

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

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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.

Kenya eTA Guides

A few more articles if you want to dig deeper before you apply.

Visa Guide

Kenya eTA Explained: Who Needs It, Who May Be Exempt, and How Entry Works

Understand Kenya eTA eligibility, common exemptions, available eTA routes and the difference between travel authorisation and permission to enter.

Read the guide

Destination Guide

Top 20 Places to Visit in Kenya in 2026 (Safari, Beaches & Hidden Gems)

From the Maasai Mara to Diani Beach and Lake Turkana - explore the 20 best places to visit in Kenya in 2026, with costs, best times, and eTA travel tips.

Read the guide

View all Kenya articles Browse all travel guides

A few places worth planning around

Three regions most first-time visitors build their Kenya trip around.

Safari classic

Maasai Mara National Reserve

The Great Migration, big cats & open savannah

Coastal escape

Diani Beach & Mombasa

Indian Ocean beaches, reefs & Swahili culture

Mountain views

Amboseli National Park

Elephants, wetlands & Mount Kilimanjaro views

Combining this with a wider East Africa trip? Tanzania eVisa Uganda eVisa Rwanda eVisa

Ready to apply for your Kenya eTA?

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