Document Checklist

Kenya eTA Document Checklist

Review the exact file formats, resolution thresholds, passport validity criteria, and purpose-specific paperwork required by Kenya Immigration before initiating your online application.

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Kenya eTA Mandatory Documents and Passport Verification

Kenya Immigration Clearance Est. Review: 3 Business Days

4.8/5 Document Acceptance Encrypted Upload Vault Human Pre-Submission Review Official QR Authorization

Core Documents Required for Every Applicant

Ensure you have digital scans or high-clarity phone captures (JPG, JPEG, or PDF under 5MB) of these universal prerequisites before starting the form:

1. Passport Bio-Data Page Scan

Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your scheduled arrival date in Kenya.
Must have at least two full blank pages for entry and departure border stamps.
Full bio page must be captured completely, including personal data, photo, and the bottom 2-line machine-readable zone (MRZ).
Strictly no flash reflection washouts, fingers covering data, or blurry low-resolution captures.

2. Passport-Standard Portrait Photo

Taken recently within the last 6 months.
Plain white, light off-white, or neutral background.
Eyes open and looking straight into the camera lens with a neutral facial expression.
No sunglasses, spectacles with tinted lenses, or digital beautification smoothing filters.

3. Confirmed Return or Onward Flight Ticket

A confirmed return air ticket or itinerary showing your exit date from Kenya.
For transit travelers, confirmed onward boarding ticket to a third country within 24 hours.
Departure date on ticket must fall strictly within the 90-day allowable stay limit.

4. Proof of Accommodation in Kenya

Hotels or Lodges: Official reservation booking confirmation voucher covering your arrival stay.
Safari Tours: Detailed excursion itinerary confirmation issued by a licensed tour operator.
Host Invitation: Formal invitation letter and a clear copy of the host's Kenyan National ID, Alien Card, or passport.

Document Legitimacy Requirement: Kenya's Directorate of Immigration Services rigorously cross-checks passport bio data against Interpol databases. Inconsistent travel dates or altered hotel reservations will result in an immediate application denial and travel suspension.

Purpose-Specific Additional Documents

Depending on your selected stream, attach the required supplemental evidence:

Business & Commercial eTA

Required for delegates attending corporate summits, business meetings, or professional expos:

Signed and stamped invitation letter on Kenyan host company letterhead.
Copy of the Kenyan host partner's Certificate of Incorporation / Registration.

Family & Private Visit eTA

Required for individuals residing with relatives or personal hosts in Kenya:

Signed invitation letter stating host address, phone number, and duration.
Host's Kenyan National ID, Alien Work Permit, or Kenyan passport bio-data copy.

Transit eTA (Under 24 Hours)

Mandatory for connecting passengers stepping outside international transit lounges at Nairobi (NBO) or Mombasa (MBA). Requires confirmed onward flight ticket and entry visa for next country (if required).

US Citizens 5-Year Multiple Entry

Exclusive to US passport holders. Requires standard US passport bio page and proof of ongoing personal or commercial visits. Allows repeated entries up to 90 days per visit over 5 years.

Photo Standards & Minor Traveler Rules

Biometric and legal guardrails enforced for all traveler profiles:

Biometric Portrait Photo Rules

Face Proportion: Head should occupy approximately 70% to 80% of the entire frame.
Lighting: Uniform lighting with no shadows cast across the face or background.
Eyeglasses: Only clear prescription spectacles are allowed if eyes are clearly visible without flash glare. Sunglasses are prohibited.
Religious Headwear: Allowed only if facial contours from forehead hairline to the bottom of the chin remain unobstructed.

Mandatory Requirements for Minors

Individual eTA: Infants and children under 18 must have their own approved eTA document.
Birth Certificate: Copy of the unabridged birth certificate showing parentage details.
Parental Consent: If traveling with one parent or non-parent relatives, a signed notarized parental consent affidavit is required.
Passport Copies: Digital copies of the non-accompanying parent(s)' passport bio pages.

Regional Safari Circuit

East Africa Re-Entry Privilege

Under official Kenyan Immigration regulations, if you depart Kenya to visit East African Community partner states (Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, or DR Congo) on safari and return directly to Kenya, you do not need a second eTA. Your single-entry eTA remains valid for re-entry as long as its 90-day window has not expired and you did not leave the EAC territory.

Common Document Errors That Cause Holds & Refusals

Most Kenyan eTA delays are caused by preventable upload errors:

Cut-off Passport Bio Page

Passport scans where the bottom MRZ lines or any of the four borders are cropped will result in immediate system rejection.

Passport Expiring Within 6 Months

Kenya enforces a strict 6-month validity threshold past your planned arrival date. Renew your passport before applying if expired.

Filtered or Casual Selfies

Selfies taken in cars, outdoors, or processed with beauty smoothing camera filters fail official facial-recognition algorithms.

Mismatched Names or Dates

Data entered in the online form must match your passport document character-by-character, including middle names and birthdates.

Unsigned Business Invitations

Corporate invitation letters that lack a formal corporate stamp, director signature, or Kenyan company registration copy will be held.

Submitting Too Close to Flight

Always apply at least 3 business days ahead to provide buffer time for correcting document queries raised by officers.

Frequently Asked Questions: Kenya eTA Documents

Key answers regarding digital document readiness before submission:

What documents are universally required for every Kenya eTA application?

Every applicant must provide a clear passport bio-data page scan (valid for at least 6 months with 2 blank pages), a recent passport-style portrait photo or selfie against a light background, confirmed return or onward flight itinerary, and verified accommodation proof (hotel booking or host invitation with Kenyan ID).

What are the technical upload specifications for supporting documents?

Files should be uploaded in JPG, JPEG, or PDF format. Scans and smartphone captures must be sharp, in full color, and under 5MB each. All four corners of your passport page and the 2-line machine-readable zone (MRZ) must be visible without flash glare or shadow obstructions.

Are additional documents needed when traveling with infants or children?

Yes. Each minor requires their own individual approved eTA. In addition to their passport and photo, applications for children traveling with one parent or a legal guardian require a signed parental consent letter from the non-accompanying parent(s) and a copy of the minor’s unabridged birth certificate.

What specific documents are required for a Business eTA application?

In addition to standard passport and travel details, Business eTA applicants must upload an official invitation letter on corporate letterhead from the host organization in Kenya and a clear copy of the host company’s Kenyan Certificate of Incorporation or Registration.

What counts as acceptable proof of accommodation in Kenya?

You can upload an official hotel reservation voucher, safari camp/lodge booking receipt, or a signed host invitation letter from a resident friend or family member. For private residence stays, the host’s national ID card, alien card, or passport copy is mandatory.

Who is exempt from uploading documents for a Kenya eTA?

Citizens of East African Community (EAC) member nations (Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and DR Congo) holding valid national passports do not require an eTA and are exempt from this documentation procedure.

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