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🇰🇪 Kenya visa answers

Kenya ETA & Visa FAQs

Clear answers to Kenya’s entry requirements, fees and rules, backed by official government sources.

Reviewed by Philip Diack, Founder· Updated October 21, 2026· 27 questions· Official sources linked

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Kenya visa questions: quick answers
Do I need an eTA to travel to Kenya?
Most visitors to Kenya need an approved eTA before they travel unless their nationality is on Kenya's exemption list; for your passport, Kenya requires an ETA for most passports.
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How much does the Kenya eTA cost?
A Kenya Standard eTA for one entry costs $30 for most passports, paid online when you apply. Other eTA types and faster processing cost more.
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How can I check my Kenya eTA status?
You can check your Kenya eTA status at any time on the official eTA website, using the reference number emailed to you when you applied.
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How far in advance should I apply for a Kenya eTA?
Apply for your Kenya eTA once your travel dates and accommodation are booked, and well before you fly, because some applications take longer than the usual processing time.
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How long is a Kenya eTA valid, and how long can I stay?
Your Kenya eTA must be used to travel within 90 days of being issued; once you land, the immigration officer at the border decides how long you may stay.
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What documents do I need to enter Kenya?
To enter Kenya you need a passport valid at least six months, plus an approved eTA unless your nationality is exempt; officers may also ask for tickets, funds and accommodation.
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Do I need a visa?

Do I need an eTA to travel to Kenya?

Most visitors to Kenya need an approved eTA before they travel unless their nationality is on Kenya's exemption list; for your passport, Kenya requires an ETA for most passports.

Kenya's exemption list covers citizens of 77 countries. How long exempt visitors can stay depends on their group, and the immigration officer at the border has the final say. A few other travelers also skip the eTA: Kenyan permanent residents, work-permit and pass holders, people with a valid re-entry pass, and transit passengers who stay inside the airport or on their ship. Everyone else applies online before flying, with one eTA per traveler, children included. Most visitors, including many who don't need an eTA, must also buy Kenya's Inbound Travel Health Insurance before arrival. Citizens of East African partner states don't need it. PassportsAndVisas.com can complete the eTA application for you.

Which countries can visit Kenya without an eTA?

Citizens of the East African partner states and a set list of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries can visit Kenya without an eTA; everyone else needs one before travelling.

The passports that currently need no eTA are: 77 countries. How long you can stay depends on your group. Citizens of the East African partner states get the longest stay, and the two other exempt groups have shorter limits. Being eTA-exempt doesn't mean no paperwork: unless you're an East African citizen, you still need Kenya's Inbound Travel Health Insurance, bought on its own through eCitizen. Other exemptions cover Kenyan permanent residents and permit holders, travelers changing planes who stay inside the airport, crew, holders of certain international laissez-passers and some diplomatic or service passports.

Do UK citizens need an eTA for Kenya?

Yes, British passport holders need an ETA for Kenya, approved before they travel, and every traveler needs their own, children included.

The UK isn't on Kenya's exemption list, so British visitors apply online before the trip, with a separate approval for each person, babies included. The Standard eTA costs $30. Processing usually takes about 3 days, and there's a faster paid option if you're short on time. You'll also need a passport valid for at least six months with a blank page, an accommodation booking, and Kenya's Inbound Travel Health Insurance, which the eTA application prompts you to buy. PassportsAndVisas.com can complete the eTA application for you.

Do Canadians need an eTA for Kenya?

Yes. Canadian citizens need an ETA for Kenya, applied for online and approved before they travel, children included.

Canada isn't on Kenya's exemption list, so every Canadian traveler, babies included, needs their own approved eTA. The government fee for the Standard eTA is $30. Apply on the official portal, etakenya.go.ke. Have your travel dates, an accommodation booking and a selfie or passport-style photo ready, and make sure your passport meets Kenya's validity and blank-page rules. The application will also prompt you to buy Kenya's mandatory Inbound Travel Health Insurance. Travel insurance bought at home doesn't replace it. PassportsAndVisas.com can complete the eTA application for you.

Do US citizens need a visa to visit Kenya?

US passport holders need an ETA to visit Kenya for tourism, and it must be approved online before they travel.

You don't need to visit an embassy or get a visa stamp. Kenya's eTA is done fully online with your passport, a photo, your travel details and your accommodation booking. The Standard single-entry eTA costs $30. Processing usually takes about 3 days. If you visit often, you can choose a multiple-entry eTA instead, including a long-validity option listed for US nationals. Every traveler needs their own eTA, children and babies included. You'll also be asked to buy Kenya's Inbound Travel Health Insurance during the application. PassportsAndVisas.com can complete and submit your Kenya eTA for you.

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Visa types

Can I get a multiple-entry eTA for Kenya?

Yes, Kenya offers a One-Year Multi-Entry eTA for eligible travelers and a Five-Year Multi-Entry eTA available only to US citizens.

A multiple-entry eTA lets you leave and come back without reapplying each time, which suits frequent visitors and anyone combining Kenya with neighbouring countries. The One-Year Multi-Entry eTA costs $300 for most passports. The Five-Year Multi-Entry eTA, for American passport holders, costs $185. Every arrival is still checked by the immigration officer, who decides how long you can stay on that visit. If you're only making one trip, the Standard eTA is the simpler and cheaper choice. PassportsAndVisas.com can apply for either multiple-entry eTA for you.

What is the difference between a Kenya eTA and an eVisa?

For Kenya, the eTA is the online travel authorisation most visitors now need instead of a visa; when people say "Kenya eVisa" they almost always mean this eTA.

Kenya's government says the eTA replaces traditional visa requirements for most travelers, so a "Kenya eVisa" mentioned by a website or airline is the eTA. Generally, an eVisa is a visa issued electronically, while an eTA is a pre-travel authorisation checked against your details before you fly. For Kenya you apply online with your passport, a photo, your itinerary and an accommodation booking, and you show the approved eTA when you depart and again on arrival. The Standard eTA allows single-entry entry. Your passport needs an ETA for most passports.

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Costs & fees

How much does the Kenya eTA cost?

A Kenya Standard eTA for one entry costs $30 for most passports, paid online when you apply. Other eTA types and faster processing cost more.

The government fee depends on which eTA you choose. A Transit eTA for travelers on a layover costs $20. The One-Year Multi-Entry eTA costs $300. The Five-Year Multi-Entry eTA for American nationals costs $185. Need it fast? Expedited processing adds $100 on top of the eTA fee. Every traveler, children included, needs their own eTA and pays their own fee. Diplomats accredited to Kenya don't pay for a standard eTA. Kenya's mandatory Inbound Travel Health Insurance is a separate cost. PassportsAndVisas.com can complete and pay for your eTA, with our service fee shown at checkout.

Is the Kenya eTA free for Indian citizens?

No. Ordinary Indian passport holders need an ETA for Kenya and must pay the government fee; only Indian diplomatic, official and service passports are exempt.

The Kenya eTA is free only in narrow cases. Diplomats accredited to Kenya don't pay for the standard eTA, and holders of Indian diplomatic, official or service passports are exempt from the eTA altogether. Anyone traveling on an ordinary Indian passport applies and pays online before the trip. The government fee for the Standard eTA is $30. Faster, expedited processing costs extra. Each traveler, children included, needs their own eTA, and the application will also prompt you to buy Kenya's Inbound Travel Health Insurance. PassportsAndVisas.com can complete and pay for the eTA application for you.

How do I pay the Kenya eTA fee?

You pay the Kenya eTA fee online by credit or debit card as part of the application, and every traveler needs their own paid eTA.

After you submit, you'll get one email confirming your application and another confirming your payment. The Standard eTA costs $30 for most passports. If you need a decision quickly, there's an expedited option for an extra charge. Families and groups can apply together using the group option, but each person still needs their own eTA. Diplomats accredited to Kenya don't pay for the standard service. Kenya's Inbound Travel Health Insurance is offered within the same application, so budget for that as well. PassportsAndVisas.com can complete the application and handle the payment for you.

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How to apply

How far in advance should I apply for a Kenya eTA?

Apply for your Kenya eTA once your travel dates and accommodation are booked, and well before you fly, because some applications take longer than the usual processing time.

Standard processing usually takes about 3 days, but applications that need extra verification can take longer. An approved eTA has to be used for travel within 90 days of being issued, so applying too early could mean it runs out before your trip. You'll need your travel dates and an accommodation booking to apply, so it's easiest once those are confirmed. Running late? The expedited service is much faster for an extra fee, and PassportsAndVisas.com can submit it for you.

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Documents & photo

What documents do I need to enter Kenya?

To enter Kenya you need a passport valid at least six months, plus an approved eTA unless your nationality is exempt; officers may also ask for tickets, funds and accommodation.

At the immigration desk you appear in person, hand over your passport and have your fingerprints and photo taken. If the officer asks, foreign visitors must be able to show their eTA, a return or onward ticket, enough money for their stay, a hotel booking or their host's address and phone number, and a travel itinerary for Kenya, so keep these on your phone or printed. Your eTA is also checked when you depart for Kenya. Travelers arriving from a yellow fever risk country need a vaccination certificate, and most visitors from outside the East African Community must buy Kenya's Inbound Travel Health Insurance before travelling.

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Processing & approval

How can I check my Kenya eTA status?

You can check your Kenya eTA status at any time on the official eTA website, using the reference number emailed to you when you applied.

On the official Kenya eTA portal, choose "Check Status" on the home page and enter the reference number from your confirmation email. You'll also get emails along the way: one confirming your application was received, one confirming payment, and a final one telling you whether it was approved or refused. Only travel once it's approved. If it's refused, Kenya's immigration service asks you to contact its eTA support team for details. If you applied through PassportsAndVisas.com, we track the application for you and send your approved eTA as soon as it's issued.

How long does it take to get a Kenya eTA (eVisa)?

Most Kenya eTA applications are processed in about 3 days. Some take longer because of extra checks, and an expedited option is available for urgent trips.

Kenya now issues an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) instead of an eVisa, so that's what you need if you're searching for a Kenya eVisa. The immigration service warns that applications needing extra verification can take longer than usual, so don't leave it to the last minute. If you're short on time, there's an expedited service for an extra fee, usually processed within 1 day. Your approval arrives by email as a PDF. Travelers from East African partner states and other exempt countries don't need an eTA at all. For your passport, Kenya requires an ETA for most passports.

Where do I find my Kenya eTA number, and can I check my eTA with just my passport?

Your Kenya eTA reference number is in the confirmation email sent when you apply, and the official status check asks for that reference number rather than your passport alone.

The confirmation email arrives right after you submit your application, so search your inbox and spam folder for it. To check progress, click "Check Status" on etakenya.go.ke and enter the reference number. The official guidance doesn't say a passport number alone will retrieve your eTA, so keep that email safe. Once approved, print the PDF or save it in the official "Kenya Travel Authorisation" app, because you'll show it at departure and on arrival. If the email is lost, Kenya's eTA support team can help by email or WhatsApp. If PassportsAndVisas.com handled your eTA, we can resend your reference number and approved document.

Is it hard to get a Kenya eTA, and why do applications get refused?

Kenya's eTA is an online application checked by a semi-automated system; Kenya doesn't publish refusal reasons, so accurate details and complete documents give you the best chance.

Before you apply, check that every detail matches your passport exactly. Make sure the passport meets Kenya's validity rule and has a blank page, and have your accommodation booking, a photo and your travel dates ready to upload. Processing usually takes about 3 days, but extra checks can make it longer, so apply well ahead, as Kenya recommends. If you're refused, you can't travel for now, and the official eTA support team can tell you more. An approved eTA is permission to travel, not a guarantee of entry: the officer at the border makes the final decision. PassportsAndVisas.com can complete your application and check it before it's submitted.

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Length of stay

How long is a Kenya eTA valid, and how long can I stay?

Your Kenya eTA must be used to travel within 90 days of being issued; once you land, the immigration officer at the border decides how long you may stay.

Time your application so your arrival date falls inside the validity window, because an eTA that has expired before you land can't be used. The Standard eTA covers a single-entry entry, so if you leave Kenya and want to come back, you'll need a new eTA unless you hold a multiple-entry one. Holding an approved eTA is permission to travel, not a guarantee of entry: the officer checks your documents on arrival and sets your permitted stay then. Keep your return ticket, accommodation details and itinerary handy in case you're asked for them.

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Arrival & entry

What happens if I arrive in Kenya without an eTA?

Unless your passport is exempt, you can't travel to Kenya without an approved eTA. Airlines and immigration officers check it when you leave and when you arrive.

Kenya's eTA must be approved before you set off. The immigration service says it has to be shown at every departure and arrival point, so an airline can refuse to let you board without one. Even with an eTA, the final decision on entry is made at the border. Officers may also ask for a return or onward ticket, proof of funds, your hotel booking or your host's address, and your itinerary. If your trip is close, the expedited service is the quickest way to get approved. For your passport, Kenya requires an ETA for most passports.

Do I need to print out my eTA for Kenya?

You don't have to print your Kenya eTA, but you must be able to show it, either printed, saved on your phone or in the official app.

Once approved, your eTA arrives as a PDF attached to an email. Kenya's immigration service accepts it printed, downloaded to your phone, or saved in the official Kenya Travel Authorisation app. You need to show it at every departure and arrival point, which means at airline check-in and again at immigration in Kenya. Many travelers also carry a paper copy in case their phone battery dies or there's no signal. Check that the details on the eTA match the passport you're travelling with.

Is Kenya safe for white and other foreign tourists?

Official travel advice for Kenya warns all foreign visitors about crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest and health risks, with the highest risk in some northern and coastal border counties.

Official travel advice for Kenya is based on where you go, not who you are. Governments advise against travel to the counties along the Somali border, Lamu, most of Tana River, the coast north of Malindi, West Pokot and western Turkana. In other areas, stay alert in Nairobi and Mombasa, keep away from demonstrations, and use reputable transport. Health risks are also part of current advice. Check your own government's travel advisory and the latest health notices shortly before you leave, because both can change at short notice.

How much money should I bring to Kenya, and is there a limit on cash?

Kenya doesn't set a fixed amount, but immigration officers may ask visitors to show enough money for their whole stay, and cash over USD 10,000 must be declared.

How far your money goes depends on how you travel, so budget for your main activities before you go. At the border, an officer can ask to see proof of funds. They can also ask for your return or onward ticket, your hotel booking (or your host's address and phone number) and your travel itinerary, so keep these handy. If you carry cash or monetary instruments above USD 10,000 or the equivalent, declare them to customs on the passenger declaration form (Form F88). This applies both when you arrive and before you leave Kenya.

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Passport

How long must my passport be valid to enter Kenya?

To enter Kenya, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your arrival date and have at least one blank page.

This rule applies to every visitor, whether you need an eTA or are visa-free, and the eTA application asks for a passport that meets it. Count the six months from the day you land in Kenya, not the day you apply. If your passport is close to the limit, renew it before applying so your eTA is issued on the passport you'll actually travel with. At the border you'll show your passport in person, have your photo and fingerprints taken, and may be asked for a return ticket, proof of funds or accommodation details.

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Transit

Do I need a transit eTA to change planes in Kenya?

Travelers who stay inside a Kenyan airport between flights need no eTA; those who leave the airport during a layover need a Transit eTA unless their passport is eTA-exempt.

Kenya doesn't require an eTA from passengers who arrive and leave on the same aircraft, or who transfer to another flight without leaving the airport. Cruise passengers who stay on board are also exempt. If you plan to step outside, for example for a hotel night or a quick look at Nairobi, apply for the Transit eTA, which is cheaper than the Standard eTA. The Transit eTA costs $20 for most passports. Transit passengers who never enter Kenya also don't need the Inbound Travel Health Insurance. PassportsAndVisas.com can complete your Transit eTA application for you.

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Children & families

Do children and babies need their own eTA for Kenya?

Yes, every child and infant travelling to Kenya needs their own approved eTA before the journey, unless their nationality or status makes them exempt.

There's no family eTA that covers several people. Each traveler gets their own authorisation, whatever their age. A parent or guardian can complete the application on the child's behalf, and the official portal lets you apply as a group so the whole family is submitted together. Children follow the rules for the passport they hold, so a child whose nationality is eTA-exempt doesn't need one. Kenya's Inbound Travel Health Insurance is also an individual policy, so each child needs their own cover unless they're exempt. PassportsAndVisas.com can prepare an eTA for every member of your family in one order.

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Health

Do I need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Kenya?

Kenya asks for a yellow fever certificate only from travelers aged one or older arriving from, or transiting through, a country with yellow fever risk.

If you fly into Kenya directly from a country without yellow fever risk, such as the United States, you won't be asked for a certificate at the border. The entry rule is separate from medical advice, though. Health authorities recommend the vaccine for most visitors aged 9 months and over, because the virus is present in parts of Kenya. The main exceptions are trips limited to Nairobi, to the north-eastern counties of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa, or to the coastal counties other than Taita-Taveta. If you do need a certificate, carry it with your passport. The eTA application also lets you upload vaccination certificates.

Is the yellow fever vaccine safe for travelers over 60 going to Kenya?

Travelers aged 60 and over aren't barred from the yellow fever vaccine for Kenya, but rare serious side effects are more likely, so a doctor should weigh it first.

Health authorities list age 60 and over as a precaution, not a ban. Rare but serious reactions to the yellow fever vaccine are more common in older adults, especially with a first dose. That's why the vaccine is meant only for people who are genuinely at risk of the disease or who need proof of vaccination to enter a country. Kenya only asks for a certificate if you arrive from, or transit through, a country with yellow fever risk. Some itineraries, such as a trip limited to Nairobi or most of the coast, are generally considered low risk. Talk your route and health history through with a travel clinic well before you leave.

Where can I get a yellow fever vaccine before traveling to Kenya?

For a Kenya trip, the yellow fever vaccine is only given at certified yellow fever vaccination centres, so a pharmacy or clinic can only help if it's authorised.

Under the International Health Regulations, only certified centres can give the vaccine and issue the official certificate. In the United States, the CDC keeps a searchable registry of authorised clinics. It includes some retail pharmacy branches, but not every branch of a chain is certified, so check the registry or call ahead. In other countries, your national health authority or a travel clinic can point you to an approved centre. Kenya asks for the certificate if you're arriving from, or have transited through, a country with yellow fever risk. Book early and carry the certificate with your passport.

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